Setting Ourselves Apart

[GreyJay]

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.  - James 1:27

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves - Philippians 2:3

I'm just going to start off by saying this isn't a thread about politics, even though I'm sure some people will just have read "this thread is absolutely about politics." It's really not:)

Now, about politics!

I kind of sense that current global political climates have unleashed a sentiment in conservative Christian groups in embracing tribalism/factionalism and aggression over humility and servanthood. I don't see any reason why God would determine the value of a person or the needs of that person more or less important based on what side of a border they're born on. So if it follows that we should have the mind of Christ, and see people as He sees them, we should also value people as God values them.

Now, judging by past experiences, some people will probably be upset that I said that, because they will assume I'm talking about setting national policies, and that I want open borders, or I'm being duped by the deep state's plan to destroy all of culture and society or something like that. The thing people have said to me the most when I focus on "what about them" is "well, what about us?" Like, it doesn't seem fair to spend public money on them (refugees, illegal immigrants in need of medical treatment, poor people who can't afford insurance, whatever), when we are suffering and in need as well (underpaid public servants, injured public safety workers, soldiers with trauma and injuries, understaffed schools in disrepair, etc.) People will generally argue that we need to put our own needs first, because it isn't practical to take on the burdens of the whole world.

I'm not talking about what a "Christian" national policy regarding need and public funds should be. I do think, though, that the "us vs. them" mindset is from the world, and not from God, and the church should be cautious of being "stained" by this philosophy. That doesn't mean we have to be impractical as Christians or can't be involved in politics, but it does mean that we should be open to God's heart of compassion for all people, who He loves equally. We give up our tribal/factional allegiances - to our political party, ethnicity, nationality, gender, whatever, in order to shift our allegiance to being a citizen of God's Kingdom, and make ourselves ambassadors to world for that Kingdom (Gal 3:28-29, 2 Cor 5:20).

I think the best way for Christians who disagree about this issue politically might be this:

If someone is focused on the needs of those suffering in their own country, then they have God's heart of compassion for those people.

And if someone is compelled to act on the suffering of those not from their own country, then they also have been moved by God's heart of compassion for those people.

We should give thanks for everyone who has been moved by God's heart of compassion to address whatever suffering they're compelled to help relieve.

How can we, the church, continue to allow ourselves to be moved by God's heart of compassion for human suffering, instead of being "stained by the world" to justify hardening our hearts against the inherent value of all people, for the sake of our tribal/factional allegiances?

[Michael37]

1 hour ago, DustyRoad said:

Refrain from collecting stamps

Say What?    The sin of philately

[BeauJangles]

1 hour ago, DustyRoad said:

Refrain from collecting stamps

Haven't tried stamp collecting, but would other things be alright? I have collections of polished rocks and some have been set into bolo ties, or are carved into animal figurines and the like. Also a number of visual toys, like a Tesla electrode globe, lava light, an electric aquarium and colored water/oil drip boxes. The latest on this were a collection over a period of several years of round laser etched spinning discs, which emit a semi 3D effect when direct lighting is angled on them as they spin. There were about 20 of these made, and placing them on a glass tabletop for spinning makes a tremendous visual display. Guys like their toys, and this one is mine for sure.  

[Michael37]

24 minutes ago, DustyRoad said:

Well, I ran out of reactions for the day so I can't giggle at your post, @BeauJangles! I meant "collecting stamps" as a metaphor for bearing grudges. I apologize for letting that one loose unattended @Michael37! 

What I mean by collecting stamps: storing the wrongdoings of others in albums, like one might do if stamp collection was their hobby. No disrespect of the pursuit of stamp collection intended, of course. It's merely metaphor. 

Aha. I did have an inkling, DustyRoad, but like brother BeauJangles I find godly banter between members of Christ's body gladdens the heart and stimulates the mind.

On the subject of "Love Keeps No Record Of Wrongs", so boldly asserted in the NIV at 1 Cor.13:

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

the NKJV has a different take, but in the same ball park with "Love Thinks No Evil".

1Co 13:4-7
(4)  Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
(5)  does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
(6)  does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
(7)  bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

I once addressed our assembly in the main service on the subject of "Love Is Not Rude", and provided two or three recent examples of rudeness from people in our assembly, without identifying them, but definitely emphasizing that correction was in order.

Immediately following the service a constantly "angry" attendee made a beeline for me and right up in my face asserted that I was wrong to give the examples because "Love keeps no record of wrongs"...Oh the irony!!!