Bigoted Narrow Minded Christians
I had a recent conversation with a woman about the presidential election. She was quite animated when she told me she believed that one of the candidates was not a Christian despite his confession of faith. When I heard this I was dumbfounded, this person, who said she was a Christian, had put herself in the role of reading people’s hearts and being able to determine if they are a Christian or not. I can only assume that this will leave St. Peter without a role in heaven, for it seems that certain individuals here are earth have already assumed the authority to decide who is getting into heaven and who is not.
Jesus gives us a clear teaching on the dangers of judging others in Matthew 7:1-5
“Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. 2For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. 3Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? 4Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.
Personally, I need to pay attention to my own salvation and my own need for forgiveness then to busy myself with what I may perceive as the defects of my neighbor. It puzzles me, given Jesus’ clear commands to love one another, that some Christians exemplify a judgmental attitude.
It is natural for tempers to run high during a presidential election and I am sure that in the few weeks that remain it will get really ugly. Ageism, sexism, and racism will be used by the candidates (and/or their special groups) to play to the worst fears of the electorate.
My prayer is that Christians will exemplify the teachings of Christ in their lives by being open minded and loving and not bigoted or narrow minded. While extreme partisans on both sides give into the temptation to smear, Christians can let their light shine by witnessing to the power of God’s love for all people.
Peace,
Pastor John