James 2:12-13
Talk and act like a person expecting to be judged by the Rule that sets us free. For if you refuse to act kindly, you can hardly expect to be treated kindly. Kind mercy wins over harsh judgment every time.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
A couple of dear friends of mine have been taken to task on Facebook lately for their political choices. One of these friends decided he had been quiet long enough, and with his usual flair for kindness and fair play, he began to calmly outline his justifications for believing as he does and choosing a particular candidate. The other friend received some particularly nasty posts and decided to fight back with a – let’s just call it somewhat “snarky” – post of her own. Almost immediately, she regretted this… and she said so in a follow-up post.
We all have moments when we lash out… call it “human nature.” And many of us regret what we say or do before the words are barely out of our mouths. Politics is a slippery slope at best. In order for our democracy to work, we have to be able to voice our opinions and state our positions – on both sides of the aisle. But often, we have to exercise great courage in order to do this… even if we are careful to stick to the facts as we know them and deliver our views calmly and nonjudgmentally. At any given moment, we must be prepared for a deluge of harsh discrimination and nastiness from “the other side.” We frequently see this when we try to share our faith and religious beliefs with others, as well.
Should we say nothing… fearing that we will be judged – or even ridiculed – by the other guy? No! We are called by God to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others. And as citizens of a democracy, we are obligated to exercise our right to support one candidate and platform or another. The problems lie with our delivery… our talk and action. If we try to bully our way in via a “my way or the highway” approach, we can expect some pretty rude responses. If we retaliate when others act in a discourteous or disrespectful manner, we have become no better than that person… and God is disappointed, at best.
My friend with the flair for speaking fairly and kindly still gets flack, but if any of it is truly nasty, I don’t see it. I honestly believe that the way he approaches these subjects with objectivity, kindness, love for the other guy, and most of all – a calm sense of evenhandedness – rubs off on others. He doesn’t return unkindness, even when he receives it. He doesn’t try to cram his ideas down the other guy’s throat. He merely states the facts as he knows them and lets the dust settle.
We would do well to act accordingly. Whether we are “arguing politics” with another person or group, testifying to our walk with Christ and witnessing to others, or merely going about our daily living… we must remember that in all things, we represent Jesus Christ. We must consider whether others see in us a person who represents love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness… and acceptance of those who think or act differently from us… or whether they see someone with a personal agenda.
If we don’t behave in a way that would please Jesus and glorify His sacrifices for each of us, we are really no different from the other guy… and we both need a change of heart. When you voice your opinions these days, how are they received by others? As you go about your daily living, do people see someone who reflects the teachings of Jesus… or someone who practices “Burger King Religion” and has to “have it his/her way” in life?
Jesus offers us freedom to do and say what is truly in our heart… and He has given us Biblical guidelines for our delivery. What are your words and actions saying to others today? Are you operating in the freedoms of kindness and mercy and even-handedness? Isn’t this a good time to start?
©2012 Debbie Robus
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