Because of the divisive nature of the election, and because of the way each side has demonized the other, I feel it is important for us to be sure we are seeking a perspective that is informed by what we believe about God's sovereignty.
Whether or not your side “won” the election, there is a simple, yet seemingly impossible, mandate from God that should bring peace to your heart and mind -- love God and love others. That includes our enemies, or we could say, those with whom we disagree.
We see this mandate lived out in the life of Jesus. The kind of love Jesus showed on the cross, transcends socioeconomic, cultural, race, age and gender gaps. It is the type of love that allows Christ to say to those who beat Him, drove nails in Him, and plunged a spear in His side, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”
This kind of love allowed Jesus to have compassion for those who literally had succeeded in murdering Him. To further understand this we look at Ephesians 6:12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
While we may perceive the enemy to be on the other team, the truth is that he lies in wait for all of us --perpetuating division, slander, and hate. He will use any tool he can to keep us apart. He will do whatever it takes to keep the hate alive and he does it through those who choose to embrace that hate.
Life is not just a picture of the here and now, but includes heavenly places far too large for the human imagination. The presidency, senate, and congress are extremely important and we should do diligence in learning and understanding the issues so that we can vote properly. Having said that it is NOT the political arena that will cure our nation’s problems.
Our cure, as I stated earlier, is simple and yet seemingly unattainable at times. We are to live life with the same love that Jesus showed us on the cross. We are to love, period-- a practice that is not always easy when we are so adamantly opposed to one another over views as important and divisive as abortion. We must remind ourselves what Ephesians says and place our anger in the proper place and abhor that agent, Satan, for which slander, divisiveness and hate originates.
So, how do we do battle and love at the same time. Jim Denison speaks beautifully to this in his most recent blog. I encourage you to read it by clicking here Jim Denison.
Now on to my point: As hard as we have tried to legislate morality through the pen, the pen can not write enough laws, rules, or regulations to change the hearts and minds of humanity. The laws of God and the laws of the land create division and expose our imperfections and our need for something greater.
When we come to know the truth of love, Christ’s love, it replaces the law as our guiding force. For what person would harm another, physically, mentally, or spiritually if their life were truly filled with the same love Jesus showed on the cross? What nation would be divided if its people were also filled with that love -- a love that says “Father, please forgive them, for they know not what they do.”?
