“…with malice toward none and charity for all.”

On November 5th our nation will elect a new president. Half the people will be happy, and half the people will be angry. There is currently a fear of violence that is fueled by continuing accusations and personal attacks from both sides of the divide. People took to the streets in protest following the elections of 2016 and 2020, with increasing violence. Fear is what lies behind the anger and the subterfuge that is dominating the public discourse.

Things in our nation have been bad before. Our differences once erupted into a civil war that cost the lives of more Americans than all our other wars combined. Brother against brother, ideology against ideology with no room for compromise. But we survived that, and we came back strong. Our nation continued to grow and continued to prosper.

The war in Vietnam also tore at the fabric of our nation, and we survived that and the Watergate scandal that followed. Our nation was attacked on 9/11, an event that brought some political unity that turned out to be short-lived.

Our nation has experienced forty-six peaceful transfers of power. We will do so again. The prophet Isaiah’s vision reminds us that God in in control no matter who is president: “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne…” (Isaiah 6:1).

This is an important opportunity for Christians; a time to stand as an example of Jesus’ love. Our Lord was born and served in a world where his nation was subject to a dictatorship, one which many of his countrymen found objectionable. Yet Jesus said, "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s and unto God that which is God's” (Matthew 22:21). He found a way to minister in His situation by focusing on what was important and teaching us to do the same.

The Apostle Paul taught us to pray for our leaders:

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Savior.” (I Timothy 2:1-3)

Some Christians voted Democrat, and some Christians voted Republican. No matter who wins, we must remember that Jesus is Lord. Let us not forget “that in all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28). Jesus said that we're to love our neighbor and our enemy.

Following the Civil War, forty-one days before his assassination, Abraham Lincoln spoke of the need for peace and healing in our nation: “with malice toward none and charity for all.”

We have reached a new low in public discourse

We have gone from attacking a politician's ideas, to attacking the politicians. Now we attack the people who voted for the politician.

We are becoming increasingly polarized. People on opposing sides of issues have taken irrevocable stands. We have moved from arguing a position to attacking people who disagree with us. Now we launch preemptive accusations based on what we assume others might say. Are we losing our minds?

Social media has magnified the hate. We post things we probably would not say to someone's face. Can you imagine explaining to a time traveler from the sixties that we have a device that we can hold in the palm of our hand and access all the knowledge in the world but we use it to insult strangers. We have lost our minds!

A person who identifies as a follower of Christ should not be a participant in such hate-inspired, soul- destroying acts. The Bible teaches, “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.” (James 3:9-12)

A favorite song of mine is “They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love”

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love

Peter Scholtes (1968)

Are you known as Christian by your love? Or do the words you type betray your true nature? Jesus said, “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45)

Jesus said that being a peacemaker is a mark of His followers. (Matthew 5:9) Does that describe you? Or do you forward emails and share Facebook posts that make others angry?

Before we speak or post Christians ought to be mindful of our call to glorify God and bear witness to His love.

Before we speak or post Christians ought to be mindful that our words can spark a fire strong enough to burn a forest. (James 3:5)

Before we speak or post Christians ought to be mindful that a gentle word turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs 15:1)

Before we speak or post Christians ought to be mindful that on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak. (Matthew 12:36)

Before we speak or post Christians ought to be mindful that Jesus said, “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44).”

Politics Makes Strange Bedfellows

Mark 12:13-17

The Herodians were supporters and beneficiaries of the government and gained benefit from the Roman taxes. On the other hand, the more religious Pharisees had a militant political wing who had protested and revolted against the tax – sometimes with violence. The Pharisees and the Herodians, were sworn enemies but, against Jesus, they become allies. Jesus was upsetting things, his actions were alarming and threatened the plans of both political groups.

They wanted Jesus to make a public statement that would make lose popularity: “should we pay taxes to the Romans?” (Mark 12:15)

By paying taxes to the Romans you were financially supporting the occupation but refusing to pay taxes could bring the death penalty. Religion and politics are always cultural hot buttons. Religious persons use politics to further their agendas and the politically motivated use religion to further theirs. Both groups were putting culture and politics on a higher level than God

Jesus said, “Show me the money.” (Mark 12:15)

Clearly, Jesus did not have a coin. He asked the people who seemed to be concerned to produce one. They were already making accommodations to their current reality.

Jesus argued that, since the coin belonged to Caesar, it was right to give it back to him. They complained about the taxes but not about the benefits.

At the same time, the Romans were neither the answer nor the primary problem in regards to personal and community sin. The Pharisees' and Herodians' allegiance was misplaced. One group worshiped the state; the other worshiped their religious system. Jesus said, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's.” (Mark 12:17)

We must set Jesus as our priority over government and religion. You have heard it said, the two surest things in life are death and taxes but Jesus tells us that the surest thing in life is the power of the kingdom of God. It renders political rulers irrelevant in its wake. The empires of this world rise and fall but God’s kingdom wins in the end. It is to that Kingdom and its King that we belong.

Being Baptist: Religious Freedom

Baptists believe in complete religious freedom for everyone. Freedom for religion and freedom from religion. This strong belief was born from religious persecution suffered in England and the colonies. State churches tend to use force to uphold a particular set of doctrines and silence dissent.

When Christianity became the official religion of Rome, the emperor took the role of protecting the faith. Both pagans and heretics were persecuted. Over the centuries, many were burned at the stake in an effort to keep the church pure.

The Protestant Reformation enabled many churches break away from the Roman Catholic Church but, rather than bring religious freedom, it only increased persecution. Each ruler decided the religion for their territory. The Protestants became the persecutors and the Catholics retaliated.

Religious refugees came to America seeking religious freedom but only for themselves. The Puritans that founded Massachusetts created a state church supported by taxes. Only members of the church could vote or hold office. Dissidents like Quakers and Baptists were imprisoned and executed. Each colony set its own standards for religious freedom.

The First Amendment of the US Constitution guarantees freedom of religion to all. Nothing in this amendment prevents religion from influencing the government and being a voice for justice and morality in the public square. Jesus said that we are to be salt and light in society and that we are to be His witnesses.

This creates tension and conflict in a society that seems to be increasingly polarized. The recent Chick Fil A confrontation showed that both sides of the gay marriage debate have significant clout. Public debate is good and Christians should be a part of it but we must not confuse politics with the gospel.

Political power is not the way to bring about the type of Kingdom that Jesus describes. Conservative columnist Cal Thomas lamented that 20 years after the Moral Majority helped elect Ronald Reagan, America was pretty much the same. He wrote, “For Christians, the vision of worldly power is not a calling, but a distraction. It is a temptation Jesus rejected, not because it was dangerous, but because it was trivial compared with his mission.”

We need changed hearts NOT changed laws; we need revival NOT revolution. II Chronicles 7:14: “if my people which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land”.

God does not belong to any political party. Isaiah was discouraged in the year that king Uzziah died. He had ruled for decades and now the future was uncertain. But Isaiah saw the Lord high and lifted up. Uzziah was dead but God was still on the throne.

God can work through any government. Rome was pagan and hostile to Christianity but Roman roads and laws helped Christianity to spread. The Bible says that all authority comes from God and we should submit to it. This was written particularly about the government of Rome who crucified Christ, persecuted Christians, and had morally bankrupt rulers.

The church must reserve the right to speak the truth to all parties. When church becomes the mouthpiece for any political party it loses its prophetic voice.

“So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, 
and to God what is God’s.”

Matthew 22:21

Rendering to Caesar… AND to God

The separation of church and state is a broad and fuzzy thing. Some think that there is a bold line dividing the two but it can quickly become complicated. For example, churches are exempt from taxes but still benefit from fire, police and other government services. Of course, it can be argued that the members of the church are tax-paying citizens and already pay for such services. Moreover, as a government of the people, we have a say in creating these local codes.

The Fire Department, on the other hand, does come in and enforce fire regulations, the police enforce the law within the walls of the church, and all local regulations involving food handling and public safety must be followed. It can often be costly and annoying but we still must comply.

Another complication has occurred with programs funded by the government through faith-based initiatives. Some on both sides worry about government sponsored religion and/or government interference.

Many organizations have been able to “render unto Caesar” and unto God as well. One example is the Baptist Temple Daycare. It is state licensed and follows all sate and local codes. Because it is a Christian daycare center, we teach the children about Jesus. The state does not have a problem with that.

Another example is a free summer lunch program aimed at feeding children who were receiving free lunch at school. Because this program was government funded, we could not do anything “religious” during the lunch hour. By religious they mean praying, sharing your faith, talking about God, etc. They did not mean such other religious practices as feeding the hungry, befriending the poor, showing yourself to be an example of Christ, etc.

Moreover, Christian programming before or after lunch would be fine. What the government wants is that the lunch be open to everyone in the community and that no one be forced into a religious indoctrination that the government is funding. I can live with that.

As American taxpayers we all (even Christians) have a say as to how our tax dollars are spent. As Christians we have an obligation to minister to our neighbor. Christians have as much right to use government funds as atheist and secular humanists. If only secular humanists are using government funds to help the community, then Christians are not only at a disadvantage but being poor stewards of resources that come from God. Isn’t God Lord of all?

I’m not saying that the government should favor Christianity. The government ought to remain neutral over issues of faith and belief. I am saying that as citizens and taxpayers, Christians ought not to fear the government but, rather, take our rightful place at the table and help improve our communities by helping the under-resourced. This makes us both Christlike and good citizens.

“Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s,
and to God the things that are God’s.”
Matthew 22:21 (New King James Version)

Who do you hate?

I read a blog written by a seminary student that lamented the ill treatment she received at the hands of her old denomination and contrasted it with the love and support of her new denominational family. The blog was mostly positive except for an unnecessary jab at a political group that was holding a rally nearby. The attack was unkind and personal and really soured my mood.

How can people, who claim to be loving and accepting, say hateful things about individuals and groups? I suppose that, for some, diversity is a good thing in moderation. It is especially troubling for me to hear these personal attacks coming from people who claim to be Christians. The Bible has something to say about this.

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. James 3:9-12

I’m not talking about fits of anger or response to hurts feelings. These are areas where all of us need to cultivate discipline. I am quick to forgive such utterances when a person is overwhelmed by emotion.

I am most distressed by cold-blooded attacks against public figures and leaders that are delivered without a second thought. These happen in the presence of other like-minded Christians who tend to nod or smile in agreement.

Jesus said, “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44 NIV).”

I wonder if that included Republicans and Democrats. Is it possible that some Christians don’t believe it includes Presidents of the USA? What about gays and people who oppose same sex marriage?