I hate Clinton! I hate Trump!

Let me start by saying I call my blog The Pastor's Pen because I am primarily writing to men and women who follow Jesus.  I believe that God has tasked me with the job of caring for and leading His people, so I do my best to write to that end.  However, I also have a number of friends who don't share my allegiance to Jesus or my worldview, so I also write for them too.  I want them to at least understand, not only my point of view, but my heart commitments as well.  But these thoughts are directed primarily to you Christ-followers.

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).

America is Changing and Here's Three Things You Should Do

It's amazing how fast things are changing in our culture.   I listen to Dr. Mohler's Briefing every morning and the speed at which moral change is happening in just about every corner of our society is truly staggering.  In just one year we've gone from the Obergefell decision legalizing same sex marriage to now the Obama Administration threatening all school districts that they will lose federal money if they don't open up all bathrooms and locker rooms to transgendered students.  Loretta Lynch, Attorney General for the Obama Administration, recently said concerning the North Carolina bathroom law which requires people to use public bathrooms in keeping with their biological anatomy:  "This is why none of us can stand by when a state (NC) enters the business of legislating identity and insist that a person pretend to be something they are not..." The absolute nonsense of that statement makes me shake my head every time I read it.  In Ms. Lynch's thinking, the person who is born male but says he is female is operating in reality, while the person who says that someone  born male needs to go to a male bathroom is forcing them to pretend.

But, as ludicrous as that sounds to me, I'm aware that things are changing in our country and countless thousands of Americans agree with Ms. Lynch and not with me.  In fact, I'll even go on record as saying that I doubt this trend is going to reverse itself.  Like the western world across the ocean, America will go the way of Europe.  We are rapidly heading there now.

So, how should I respond to this moral change?  What should I do about the cultural revolution?  I am first and foremost a follower of Jesus, so I'd like to address my thoughts to those of you who consider yourselves the same.  Everywhere I turn, I hear and read things that I believe bring dishonor to Jesus from those of us who claim the name of Jesus.  I hear responses that just simply shouldn't come from us who follow Jesus the Christ.   I realize some of you will push back and say, "We're also Americans."  Yes we are, but that in no way subjugates or diminishes our responsibility to follow Jesus and respond as He would want us to.  Let me admonish you to respond in three ways.

First, don't despair.  Maybe I should say, stop despairing.  I hear often how we have departed from the good old days and there is no hope for America.  Lest you think I’m unpatriotic, let me say I love our country. God has greatly used America for the evangelization of the world, but in God's plan it has never been about America.   However you feel about the nation of Israel and God's eternal plan, America was never like Israel.  Most of us believe that however God brings about the return of His Son, at the end of time the whole world will have turned against Christ and His people.  I hate to say it, but that includes even America.  Here's my point--God's got this!  Wherever our nation ultimately lands, God is still directing this world to the conclusion that He desires.  We may wring our hands in despair, but we don't need to.  God isn't.  Even if the worst case scenario were to unfold in America--Bernie Sanders were to win the Presidency, and we become a socialist or communist nation where religious expression is at first ridiculed then marginalized and ultimately suppressed--we don't need to despair.  Have you not heard?  Don't you know?  "God reigns over the nations, God sits on His holy throne" (Psalm 47:8).


Second, love the lost.  Actually Jesus goes further.  He even says love your enemies.  If there is one characteristic of God that God Himself seems to accentuate, it's His love.  God is love, He tells us.  It amazes me that so many of us who claim to be His followers believe we have a right to be extremely unloving.   I think we believe the nature of the issue gives us that right; or maybe it's the unloving hearts of those we oppose, but whatever it is, it's wrong.  We follow the One who told us not to take up personal offense against others.  We follow the One who willingly gave His life and then prayed, "Father forgive them because they don't know what they are doing."  If there is anyone who should love those who oppose the truth or who oppose us, it is us, the followers of Jesus.  Our language and our tone should be one of civility and respect.   Instead, social media is filled with Christ followers whose tone and language, most likely driven by fear and despair, is discourteous, angry and hostile.  At times I dare say most covered by the media seem almost dripping with hatred.  Such things should not be known among us who follow the Lord Jesus.

Third, speak the truth.  I was thinking, as I was writing, that some might not even get to this third point because they will disagree with the first two and stop reading.  One thing we must continue to do as those who follow Jesus is speak the truth.  We need to speak it in love, as we are admonished by the Apostle Paul, but speak it we must.  Everywhere around me I see those who claim to follow Jesus embracing the errors and immorality of this modern, moral revolution.  Main line churches are embracing homosexuality and transgenderism as normative or neutral behaviors, when God clearly says they are not.  We see Christians everywhere embracing no fault divorce, abortion, and sexual expression with no boundaries as perfectly acceptable when God unequivocally says that is not. As western Christians, privileged with so much materially, we are prone to call our greed, materialism and indifference to injustice as "blessings from God," when God expressly says such things are contrary to His heart.  In an increasingly befuddled society, it is more important than ever that we speak with moral clarity.  Take every opportunity to speak truth.  Challenge those who are leading in this revolution.  Let it be known that even if all your friends believe that living together is the smart and right thing to do, it is not what God designed or created.   Say clearly that even if the State says two men can marry, it is not marriage as God designed and created.  Do not cower away from speaking truth, but also make sure people walk away from you having experienced the kind of love and respect they may have never encountered before.

So, no matter where this cultural and moral revolution leads, let's do these three things.  Let’s not despair, let’s love the lost and let’s speak the truth.


 

Can I tell you who to vote for?

Who are you voting for President on November 8th, 2016?  I can’t ever remember an election with so many candidates.  At one point the Republicans had sixteen contestants and the Democrats five, with yet another one in the wings quite possibly choosing to run.  So many choices so who should I support?

First, let me urge you to vote.  I’ve spoken with many folks over the years who are disillusioned with politics and so today they are disconnected from the political process.   I believe what too often what led them to that place was unrealistic expectations.  They believed that politics, and maybe more specifically a specific politician, was the answer to all that ails our country.  "If only we could get so-and-so elected," but then when we do he isn't able to accomplish much or worse, he disappoints us terribly.   When it comes to the political process what we need is balance.  On the one hand we need to realize that public policy and government is not the ultimate director for the trajectory of our country.  Don’t put your ultimate hope in any political leader or party.  On the other hand, we need to acknowledge that public policy and governmental leadership do make a difference.   Because of his policies and appointments, there is little argument that President Obama has affected the moral revolution in our land in substantive ways.  So, don’t put your ultimate hope in any leader but also, don’t throw up your hands in a ‘who cares’ attitude.  One of the great hallmarks of our country is that we are a government chosen by the people.  Let’s all be that ‘people’ and a simple way to do so is to vote.  

Ok, so who should you vote for?

Vote for someone who shares your same worldview.  Your worldview is that lens through which you see and judge everything that’s happening around you; it is the framework from which one views reality and make sense of life and the world.  If you see the world from a naturalistic and secular perspective, then vote for someone who will govern from an irreligious, materialistic point of view.  On the other hand, if you hold to a Biblical worldview, and believe that God not only exist but has actively revealed His will for the flourishing of humanity, make sure you vote for someone who sees through that same lens.  A person’s worldview will affect their decision-making in every area of life, from moral and social decisions to governmental structures and budgetary choices.  Obviously no two people will agree on everything but vote for someone who is at least looking at the world through the same lens as you.

Vote for someone who lives your same morality.  I’ll confess that our morality really flows from our worldview so in all honesty this is a nuance of my first point.   I’m mentioning it only because I’ve noticed that even when people claim to have a certain worldview, they operate with a morality inconsistent with that worldview.  I know that we all tend to prioritize moral judgments.  I continually hear that evangelicals, for example, elevate the defense of life, and particularly the unborn, to the exclusion of all other moral issues.  I accept the axiom that it is incumbent upon us to look at a great assortment of moral choices but I also know that we can’t get around evaluating and prioritizing the evil nature of those same choices.  For instance the Bible says that lying is morally wrong and so is murder but most all of us would say that murder is a graver moral evil than lying.  So vote for a candidate who sees moral issues most similarly to you and who has a track record of doing so.

One parenthesis here, if I may.  Though we rank moral evil, and at least at some level so does God in the outworkings of our world, the Biblical worldview says that one sin, any sin, all sin has the same devastating effect-- it separates us from a holy, sinless God.  So we may rank and prioritize sin but even the least of sins puts us in need of a savior and this is why Jesus came.  Jesus most assuredly came to reveal God to us but more specifically He came to offer His morally perfect life as a substitute for all of our moral failures.  The Bible says all of us have sinned.  All of us are liars, and cheats, and thieves and when we stand before God who is perfect and sinless, we will all be judged and condemned.  Jesus is the one who offered himself a Savior for us all.

Vote for someone who offers solutions with confidence and grace.  We live in a country with different worldviews and that division is great.  Vote for a leader who demonstrates wisdom in the solutions he offers and grace in the way he presents himself.  So many people tell me that a humble man cannot be president but honestly, in my Biblical worldview I believe that God gives grace to the humble leader.  Don’t confuse humility with weakness.  Moses was called a humble man yet he led the Israelites for decades.  Jesus, the Son of God, humbled himself.   These men and others have been powerful leaders but their lives and demeanor were peppered with grace and humility.  Listen to the candidates and vote for the one who you believe has wise solutions to many of the problems that weigh on us as a nation.

I know you thought I was going to name a name, but I’ll refrain.  Instead I challenge you to vote intentionally as I delineated above.  Vote wisely.  Vote with forethought and long-range vision.