Grace, The Lost "Value" for "Value's" voters:

I want to first clear the air about my voting record-(for those who really care)- I have always been a registered Republican (even though that has shamed me often)-. I pulled for George senior over Clinton, but I voted for Rae Crum (My mother). She lives in the Political realm. Rush L. has been in her diet for years. She lives for this stuff- and oddly, when she talks about politics, it's rarely about "values" as much as it is the philosophical intricacies of the republicans verses the democrats. I have continued to vote for her in every presidential election since, and even a few other elections, even though we don't see eye to eye. She's my mom! However- this year (still plan on voting for her) I have been excited about one of the candidates for the upcoming presidential election. Just the appearance of support for this candidate has sent so many professing Christians into a frenzy. I am reminded of Jesus words in the sermon on the mount- "blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted" (Mt 5:4). By the traditional professing Christian behavior, one might come to believe Jesus said- "Blessed are the angry, for they shall be proved right" ('Right' being a double entendre). When did self-righteous anger become a mark of a Follower of Jesus? (this is about the time I am responded to with fiery nostrils) As I listen to the indignant 'right'- there is little, if any, grace. Is this not a value? What is so frustrating-is that people I love dearly, and am convinced that love the Lord with all their being, are on both sides of the political spectrum. And yet, it's the so-called conservative "values' voters who have spoken with little grace. I am not talking about the entirety of the republican and democratic parties, but rather just those who call themselves Christian. As I read passages like Romans 14- it appears that God would have his people be in harmony, even when clear philosophical differences of what is "righteous" and what is "unrighteous" is at stake. To those who refused to purchase and subsequently eat-meat that had been used in the unquestionable wicked practice of pagan worship-this was a biblical issue to them. There is little doubt that for these believers- it was wicked to eat such meat and/or drink such wine. For these believers they were convinced if they ate then they partook in the evil of the sacrifices of the wicked. They could not in pure conscience partake in this egregious wickedness. And lest anyone try to argue it wasn't that big a deal- we should be reminded of Peter's rebuke of God Himself in Acts 10 for suggesting he eat some unclean meat. On the other end, there were believers who simply had a "clean" conscience in partaking of the meat that was blatantly used in worship of false gods. (Which, by the way, the Greek Scriptures defend this position and not the first, but speaks to unity for between the two sides). The wisdom that Paul speaks to these believers is not "who is right" and "who is wrong", but rather that they should labor to "maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Eph 4:3). It's interesting that the Spirit possesses both the one who eats, and the one who does not (making both sides "right") and peace-the highest collective good- is always the goal. Now at this point usually comes-the all too familiar argument of "abortion" and "homosexual marriage" are not the same as eating meat...............I agree. BUT- there should be no doubt that to the first century Christ Follower eating meat and drinking wine that was contaminated by the egregious sin of pagan worship-would have been about has wicked an act one could commit. So the argument seems to be relevant. Now, I am not arguing for abortion (for I am profoundly PRO-LIFE). I am contending that there can be believers who believe philosophically that Christ can (and will under any circumstance) reign and do good under a Pro-Choice President, even lowering the number of abortions through movements to lower the number of unwanted teen pregnancies and doing social justice (which is not an argument that these Christ Followers want the govt to do the social justice, but rather a statement that Social Justice isn't being done by anyone, not least the "values" voters at large). And this is a legitimate Philosophy. You may not agree, but to call out a fellow believer and question their faith b/c of a vote-well that is not gracious. It may not even be true-but we can't say that another bro/sis in Christ doesn't honestly believe that more good can be done for the name of Christ under a Pro-Choice Candidate then under a "pro-life" candidate. It doesn't have to make sense, you don't even have to agree- but we should be gracious and accepting. The question I have - is it possible that one person can be pro-choice, and do more good in the name of pro-life people, than a Pro-life candidate? Is it possible that a person can have an evil heart (if that is in fact the case) and yet still be used by God for good? (Genesis 50:20). Is it possible, that for all the wrong reasons-someone(s) proclaim the gospel (not just in speeches and leaving gospel tracts, but in living) and that Christ would still have us rejoice (Phil 1:15-18)? You don't have to believe that is the case, but we do HAVE to maintain the unity in the Spirit in the bond of peace. Which should not be done in anger. Yesterday I sat with two guys I love tremendously. As we "debated" in a public restaurant about the election things got somewhat heated at times, I kept thinking- I hope they don't find out we are all pastors. What's at the heart of all this? Pride! When people believe there is no way they can be wrong, and live that out in a way claiming- it's Christian to do so-then maybe, just maybe we've missed the point of the humility and incarnation of Jesus! (Phil 2:1-6) Truth is, it probably doesn't matter which candidate wins. Not much will be done. the country will still be divided. (It would all be better if my mom won though:) ) What if, I mean-here's a crazy thought- what if Followers of Christ actually followed Jesus? Wouldn't that be hilarious????(Not really funny) Wouldn't that be awesome? What if instead of arguing over voting for pro-life candidates who did little (if anything) to lower the number of abortions , and voting for "anti-gay" candidates who hit on other men in bathrooms, what if instead of fighting over which "politician" would save/protect us- we went to work on the Kingdom Life? I doubt I've done much good here, but if this encourages someone who is being blasted by their "christian' family-Great! May the Lord be Magnified! Colossians 4:6 "let our speech always be gracious, season with salt, so that we may know how we ought to answer each person"