Jesus taught that a person could have only one ruling allegiance. People have many allegiances. But they should give their primary, ruling allegiance to the Father.
He was specifically speaking about consumerism, as something that could assume the position of the ruling allegiance. That is, seeking significance by amassing stuff.
I have been realizing that a person’s political position can also become the ruling allegiance. Especially here in the US.
If your ruling allegiance is to the Triune God of the Bible, then you realize he created the world to be perfect. And when man sinned, he set about to re-create the world to be perfect.
Then, the teachings of Jesus ought to inform you what leads to God’s perfection, and what ought to make good governmental policy. Policy is different than God’s instruction to people, but God’s word ought to influence, and guide, the policy. So, in a world that gives its allegiance to Jesus, that is what should be pursued.
And the teachings of Jesus ought to inform you how to do politics, and how to speak politics.
People, who have given their allegiance to Jesus, should speak, and act, as a demonstration of God’s character, and as a draw toward God’s family, and kingdom. The life of God’s family, standing alone by itself, should be one that is compelling, and convincing, toward choosing to give one’s allegiance to Jesus. Jesus specifically said that love and unity within God’s family demonstrates the reality of Jesus’ identity, and purpose, in the world. And the love of God’s family to the world is part of the declaration of the gospel to the world.
What means the odds are pretty good that a follower of Jesus will need to show love, to communicate love, to someone he/she disagrees with politically. And if demonstrating patience, and kindness, to someone on the other side of the political fence is difficult, or distasteful, then maybe one’s ruling allegiance is not to Jesus.
No comments:
Post a Comment