Sometimes some folks who call themselves Christians spew forth a lot of hate. Often it is just racism or its cousin radical intolerance -- forms of hate usually caused by fear and ignorance -- disguised behind a Bible verse taken out of context. Sometimes it is a misguided form of patriotism that wants to keep others from enjoying the freedom we love so much, instead of reasonably extending the welcome that many of our ancestors received when they came here.
As my Native American friends in Alaska remind me -- all of us who are not Native are really immigrants, and many of our ancestors did not come here "legally." Likewise, many of our ancestors came here seeking religious freedom. If we start downsizing that freedom for some citizens, where will it all stop?
What we need is that Christians, those who profess to follow Jesus Christ, should actually put his words into action to guide their own actions. Living by the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12) and the Great Commandments (Mark 12:28-31) would transform our national politics and discourse, and work wonders in local situations.
"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." Matthew 7:`12
"28One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" 29"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.[a] 30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'[b] 31The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[c]There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 12:28-31
Remember, Christians -- God first, country second. Jesus Christ is the head of the church, not a political leader or cable news pundit or television evangelist. His words must light our path, not the glow of our television sets or our computers or cell phones.
Often the Bible is not mentioned directly, folks just allude to it, as if what they are saying the gospel truth, when it is actually just their own ideas shaped by the political winds of the day. And when the Bible is mentioned, we need to make sure we are guided by the whole Bible, and especially by the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is in Jesus that the Bible comes together and makes the divine sense it is intended to give us. Jesus is the theme of the Bible -- and He came because of love (John 3:16).
Often Christians are distracted by hyped up issues thar are used for political purposes, and that is not helpful. The devil is effective at doing that -- and modern media and the politics of personal attack plays right into his evil hands. And when we let ourselves be distracted, we lose sight of the acts that we should be doing as Christians --acts of love in action.
The Bible says feed the hungry. The Bible says clothe the naked. The Bible says love your neighbor, not to persecute those who differ from you. ..Jesus tells us we need to break through the envelope to show love for those different from us, even our enemies:
43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies[b] and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:43-48
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