“Salvation doesn’t come on Air Force One.” Chuck Colson
I find the current cultural view of politics…. concerning. On both sides of the aisle there are winners and losers and perhaps both are in need of an adjustment. Not unlike a visit to the chiropractor, perhaps our culture needs an adjustment for our aches and pains.
Gloating
I have never been much of a fan of gloating. Whether that be in sports, professional career, or politics. I was coached as a kid that when you score a goal, “act like it was not the first time you had ever done so”. Gloating does not encourage a conversation. It is boastful arrogance and it is only a matter of time before it goes before a fall. The greater the gloating, the further the fall….
Proverbs 16:18-19
Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.
It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor
than to divide the spoil with the proud.
For more on this subject – Read:
Winning A Friend VS Winning An Argument
The pride I am speaking about WILL absolutely affect ones conversations. It becomes immediately obvious when that Facebook post rambles on in endless arguments. An opportunity to unload the dump truck of knowledge we amassed from reading three articles the night before.
Ask yourself: Am I about winning a friend or winning an argument?
I Believe In Debate
With the above thoughts in mind, I think it should be stated that I believe in debating. Now that word debating can be defined differently by two different people. When I use the word debate, I am talking about the humble sharing of ones opinions and defending those opinions, but doing so with character. Debating with character seems to be a lost art. We are too ramped up, too right about everything, and we believe too much is at stake!
What does salt and light look like when your team wins? And, what does it look like when your team loses?
Democracy will always have winners and losers. That is not the problem. The problem is, do we have the character for winning and do we have the character for losing? I find Jesus’ words about salt and light to be the most helpful. As Christians, our goal is not to win the argument. (Which is minuscule in the grand scheme of things.) The goal is to win a brother or sister. (Which is eternal)
Matthew 5:13
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that[a] they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Ask yourself: Am I as passionate about proclaiming Christ as I am proclaiming and defending my political stance?
Who or what is my Savior?
There is a lot of “Savior” talk in politics… on BOTH sides of the aisle. There has to be…. promises must be made, hopes must be elevated, and dreams to be made possible. The one who can make the biggest promises believable is the one who gets elected. Expectations are high and despair is low depending on if your political “camp” is winning or losing.
And both, expectations and the despair is revealing. Those expectations and disparity reveals a false Savior. Our hope is not in a president, a government, conservatism, or anything else for that matter. The hope of the believer is firmly rooted in Jesus Christ. He is the Savior! He alone has the power to save. Rich and poor, black or white, legal or illegal, our God saves!
The believer, informed by the gospel, must stand against politics as religion, and religion that has become politics. We can hear this idolatrous pull even in the apocalyptic language used by both political parties. (i.e. this election is our “last chance!”) Panic does not drive the Christian, the hope found in the gospel does!
So whether your view is cataclysmic disaster or hope like you haven’t had in eight years, both views need a gospel, chiropractic, adjustment.
Christian, we are the church of Jesus Christ! He is our victory! He is marching this earth towards His ultimate rule and reign. Yes, difficult days lie ahead, yes, religious liberties are a concern, and yes, the decline of our culture has become normal. But, we must press into gospel truths.
We are not primarily people of this or that side of an aisle. And yes, while all Presidents ought to remind us we are “Americans” more than we are Republicans and Democrats. More than that, Christian, you are “in Christ”. Jesus Christ has raised you from the dead and has given you new life.
This past election is not what is ultimate (good or bad depending on your perspective). There is another King, thee King and His name is Jesus. And, He is seated at the right hand of the Father. We are citizens of another kingdom! So, pledge allegiance to the flag, but know that ultimate allegiance is to the cross of Christ.
Chuck Colson said it best:
“Salvation doesn’t come on Air Force One.” Chuck Colson
Thank you and love the Chuck Colson quote, right on‼️