One of the things that is so pervasive on social media this election season is hatred. Maybe you think that word is too strong, but dislike just doesn't cut it. People loath Clinton or detest Trump with a vitriol that I don't ever remember seeing. But it's not just Clinton and Trump that people seem to hate--they seem to hate anyone and everyone else who supports the other candidate, or who doesn't agree with them. The disdain that the pro-Clintons have for the 'Make America Great Again' Trump squadron is palpable. The contempt of the Trump force toward the Clinton throng is equally tangible. But we can go a step further and say people who would never vote for Clinton, but are known as the #NeverTrump crowd, are equally hostile to the Trump "deplorables," and vice versa.
Now the point of the post isn't to argue for or against Clinton-Trump. The point of this post is to say to you followers of Jesus, lose the hatred. Lose the vitriol. We were called to so much more than that. I came across these verses in my Bible reading this morning: "Remind [those who follow Jesus] to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men" (Titus 3:1-2). Why don't you read that again before you move on? I don't care how much you are for Trump or how unqualified you might think Clinton to be; I don't care how wonderful a president you think Clinton might make or how disastrous you think it might be if Trump were at the helm; those of you who follow Jesus, your allegiance is to Jesus alone.
Notice how Jesus calls us to malign no one. Notice how He says we should be known for our peaceable demeanor and our gentle hearts. When He says we are to show consideration for all men I think God is calling us to civility, and even to a supernatural kindness. In the words of Jesus, “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you" (Luke 6:27-28). You would do well to actually read most of that chapter where Jesus concludes, "Love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful" (Luke 6:35-36).
Some of you think that I might be saying we can't be passionate or speak the truth. You misunderstand. Speak up, but lose the odious rhetoric. Make your point but jettison the rudeness and hateful speech. Stop assassinating people's character, disparaging their children and spreading slander that you don't even know to be true. Just because it's on the internet doesn't mean it's real or true, but even if it is we who follow Jesus don't slander others or gossip. And just because others are doing it, just because conservative and liberal websites are producing it, I am not obligated to pass it on.
I write to you my brothers and sisters because we are different. The love of Jesus has been poured out in our hearts. We are not driven by the selfishness and the anger that motivates too many in our world. We are not of this world. This world is not our home. Let's live like it. Let's talk like it. Stand up and speak the truth passionately, but "speak the truth in love" (Eph.4:15). "Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person" (Col.4:6). "Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe" (1 Tim.4:12).
