Conflict of Wrong and Biblical Views on Important Matters (March 2024)

            It is hard to believe that we have entered another election cycle in our country. Before long our televisions will be inundated with political ads. As Christians we have a special duty to be good citizens of the United States, to vote intelligently and spiritually, using Biblical truth and conviction as our filters to choose those who are fit, worthy and God’s choice to serve in public office. 

I am gravely concerned about the state of the Evangelical movement in America and how we are jeopardizing the efforts to rightly and accurately share the Gospel for years to come. This concern stems from our being a significant part of the polarization problem in our country. When we fall to the following wrong views or beliefs, it makes it very difficult for others to see Jesus clearly because they “muddy the waters”. These are the wrong views that Evangelicals often fall prey:

 

1.     “The end justifies the means” (quote from Prince Machiavelli) as the ultimate standard of action and belief.

2.     Hate, anger, disrespect and negativism are all worthy weapons of use in any cultural war.

3.     Division along political lines validates division and separation within the Church.

4.     Policies and promises alone by politicians (i.e. what he/she will do for us) are adequate rationalizations for supporting a person for leadership regardless of personal character and actions.

5.     “God helps those who help themselves” so only those socially and economically advantaged are special and benefitted by God; therefore, the poor, the hurting, the destitute, and the afflicted should not be objects of our care and compassion.

 

To provide a clearer, more accurate Christian approach, we should return to the truths that the Scriptures, our self-declared foundation of belief, clearly teach.

 

1.     God wants His children to glorify Him always in how and why we do things (including voting) (“Therefore, whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.”—rf. I Cor. 10:31). The how and why are directly connected with how we show others His reality and love.

2.     Displaying the love of Christ shows that we belong to Him as His children (“By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”—rf. Jn. 13:35). Indeed, we should never advocate, support or uphold any effort that does not have His love at its center.

3.     Unity of God’s people is paramount (“If there is any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any compassion and mercy, then fulfill my joy and be like-minded, having the same love, being in unity with one mind”—rf. Php. 2:1-2). Disunity is a sin, quite frankly, stemming from pride and self-centeredness, qualities opposed to Christ Himself, His truth and His love.

4.     God holds all leaders everywhere to His standard of righteousness, removing them at will if unjust (“It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness, for the throne is established by righteousness.”—Prov. 16:12; “It is He who changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings”—Dan. 2:21).

5.     The poor, the destitute, the widow and the orphan are under God’s protection (“When a foreigner sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. The foreigner who dwells with you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.”—rf. Lev. 19:33-34). Jesus said His disciples always have opportunity to minister and support those most needy (“You always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish, you may do good to them.”—rf. Mk. 14:7). Indeed, we are called by God to such ministry.

 

Imagine what a difference Evangelicals would make in a world like ours, lost in its divisiveness and negativity, if we were to display God’s love in our hearts, words and actions, including how and for whom we vote. But wait, that’s what we’re supposed to be doing as followers of Christ anyway (Note: To be “salt” and “light”? rf. Matt. 5:13-16). Our repentance and change are required if we are to reclaim the mantle of difference and distinction as given in our salvation and calling. Only by thinking and acting in a compassionate Christian manner can we affect the real change that our nation needs right now.

Jesus Meets Us Where We Are

“So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love (agapas) Me more than these?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord. You know that I love (philo) You.’ He said to him, ‘Feed My lambs.’ He said to him again a second time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love (agapas) Me?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord. You know that I love (philo) You.’ He said to him, ‘Tend My sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love (phileis) Me?’ Peter was grieved because He asked him the third time, ‘Do you love (phileis) Me?’ He said to Him, ‘Lord, You know everything. You know that I love (philo) You.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed My sheep.’” (rf. John 21:15-17 MEV)

I may have touched on this in previous years of writing February articles, but it is well worth a revisit. In the New Testament particularly, the authors, including the Apostle John above, use different Greek words for our English concept of the word, “Love”. We tend to use the same word to apply to different objects. We would say, “I love my parents and siblings” or “I love my spouse” or “I love my pet” or even “I love the New Orleans Saints football team (which I don’t by the way—I am a die-hard, die-long Atlanta Falcons fan), using “love” in each, but meaning a different type of love for each.

In the Greek language of John’s time, there were different words for different types of love. Agapeo is the highest form of love possible because it is unconditional. It is freely given and never earned. Phileo is brotherly love, usually found between those committed to a lifelong friendship. It is hard to break. Stergo is familial love between family members. Eros is passionate love, usually with sexual connotations as between a husband and wife.

In the above passage, there is a dynamic interchange between Jesus and Peter concerning Peter’s love for Jesus. Yes, Jesus is recommissioning Peter after Peter’s three-fold denial of Him before Jesus’ crucifixion. Notice, however, that Jesus is asking Peter if Peter loves Him with the highest or unconditional love (derivatives of Agapeo). Peter responds with a pledge of brotherly love each of the three times (derivatives of Phileo). Only on the third question does Jesus ask Peter if Peter loves Him with brotherly love to which Peter replies “You know I do”. Jesus purposefully steps down His expectations of Agapeo to meet Peter on the level of Phileo. In essence, Jesus shows Peter how much He loves him by meeting Peter at the place where Peter is. Peter will later experience and exhibit Agapeo when he formally begins to “feed (Jesus’) sheep”.

Be encouraged to know that Jesus loves us so much that He will willingly meet us at our point of need and understanding. By His Spirit He will then over time move us, as He did Peter, to meet the expectations of showing the same love to those around us.