And the King will say, “I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!”
Matthew 25
God’s requirements are clear: Do Justice. Love Kindness. Walk humbly with God
Micah 6
Today is officially “handsome dog day.” Well, at least that’s my designation. I still may write a little in response to yesterday’s message on The Beatitudes, but I am heavily leaning towards Max.
Posting this photo of Max is my way of avoiding talking politics. Not that Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5 automatically sets up a political conversation – more that Jesus persuades me that politics have absolutely, 100%, no place in church.
I guess I went there. Sorry Max. Here we go….
Oh well, I tried:
I’m thinking about progressives here just as much as the right-wing crowd. Sure, too many evangelicals consistently confuse Christianity with a kind of religious nationalism… but many left-leaning Christians are just as guilty because they confuse Jesus with progressive ideology.
Jesus is absolutely not on the side of either liberals or conservatives. God is not cheering for a Republican majority or a Democrat in the White House or your favorite party running state government.
God stands with the poor, with the hungry, with the sick, with the grieving, with the oppressed, with the mistreated, with the misunderstood, with the refugees, with those in prison. If your politics move you to put your efforts where God’s heart is, then more power to you; but God does not support your candidate nor your political party; God never will.
America doesn’t even have favored nation status with The Creator. God has 8-billion children on this planet and – much like Rebekah’s mother was with hers – if God loves anyone more then it is the children in the most trouble, the most need.
God’s chosen people are those in need of justice, and peace, and equality, and reconciliation, and healing.
So let’s get behind all of those things. And we should not pretend there is a single national flag or national anthem or political party that floats the boat of the Almighty over another.
God blesses those who are humble,
Jesus (Matthew 5)
for they will inherit the whole earth.
God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they will be satisfied.
God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Can never have too much Max! I agree with you about politics (so volatile, so changeable! and often so disgusting) not getting too mixed in with Gospel preaching. Of course our political ideas influence our faith, but we need to let our faith influence, shape, animate our politics, not the other way round! Blessings, always, Martha Huntley
! Your comments, are always intelligent, and insightful.