Being on the Race has given me lots of new perspective on things. As of late, what I’ve been given perspective on is Facebook, religion, and politics in America.
These are touchy subjects. This blog may not sit well with some, but that is part of why I’m writing it. We all need to think upon these things more and our need for Grace.
Watching politics and popular controversial subjects from the outside has made me realize just how desperately we, as American Christians, misunderstand Grace.
There is this mindset that we have to pick a side and stand by it no matter what. This can apply to presidential candidates or transgender bathrooms or any other hot topic.
We’re afraid if we shift a little on our view we will be made fun of and called a hypocrite.
So we stand by our personal views, unflinching. It’s good to stand up for what you believe. I’m not saying it’s not. But what I’m trying to say is we have forgotten how to find middle ground and to stand on God’s WHOLE Word, not just the parts that make us sound more holy or certain sins to be okay.
For example, in the transgender bathroom debate, there’s the side that it should not be allowed and it’s a moral tragedy. Then there’s the side of let them be and they’re not bothering you, etc.
Being on the outside of this debate has given me perspective. If I were still in the States, I would be very much on the side of moral tragedy. And to a point, I still am. It’s sad to watch the world fall apart. You know what’s more sad though? Watching Christians argue, especially on social media.
It’s honestly the worst moral tragedy. We need to learn how to not “pick a side.” We need to learn that both sides actually have valid points, even if they’re misguided from the actual truth. Hear me out. The Bible clearly states what is sin. We should stand up for that. But. We also tend to forget Jesus hung out with the sinners. He didn’t come to save the righteous. He came to save the lost. (Luke 19:5-10)
Now, we also tend to forget that Jesus didn’t just hang out with sinners, but He was a Holy example and did not condone their sin. He showed them love and grace, which produced voluntary repentance. (Also Luke 19:5-10)
Love and grace means recognizing they’re just as much of a sinner as you are. And realizing that posting on Facebook is not showing love and grace. Whether you’re saying they are evil or that it’s totally okay.
We have ALL fallen short and are all in need of a savior.(Rom. 3:23) We are all in need of love and grace. That means recognizing we’re all human and struggle with sin and recognizing that loving people and giving grace means calling people up and out of their sin.
Posting on Facebook about how someone’s choice of candidate is evil is also not loving or graceful. It is not Christ-like. To be like Christ means to recognize those people (and yes, even the politicians and transgenders and alcoholics and liars and gluttons, etc.) need love and need to be called up and out of their sin- just like you do.
Let’s stop arguing about what sin or candidate is the biggest moral tragedy, and recognize that the disunion and lack of Christ-like love and grace is the true moral tragedy of our time. (http://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/unity-bible-verses/)
Stop posting on Facebook, go to your knees, and ask God what His heart for you and the people around you is. Listen closely. Read carefully. Love deeply. Challenge each other. Be humble. Give grace unabashedly. Live and love like Christ.
