The question "Politically, what side should a Christian take?", carries some traps

I once saw a Christian asking a political question of someone he looked to as spiritual leader. (I would add a disclaimer that the spiritual leader had no official capacity in any church, as far as I know.) He was asking in good faith, trying to discern his way through complicated times, concerned how a certain conflict was being handled by the then-current president. (Nevermind which president that was, so that the scenario could be relevant to anyone.) The answer was another question: Do you support the president? 

Accepting that question into the conversation was a misstep; I'll come back to that. 

The questioner said Yes, he supported the president. And the responder moved on as if that answered the question about the conflict and its handling. In a way it did: unconditional support for a worldly leader, or party, carries risks that people have not always thought through. 

When the question became, "Do you support the president?", the question stopped being, "What is the faithful Christian stance?" A better answer to "Do you support the president?" would be "When I think he's right." That response would have guided the conversation back to relevant territory. I've heard similar questions over the years where "Do you support the party?" was the question that moved the conversation off of meaningful spiritual ground. And many worldly calls to pick a side are baited with pride. 

The question of which political party should guide our spiritual discernment is already on faulty premises. It "looks past the sale," as some would say, about whether a political party should be guiding our spiritual discernment in the first place. Our support of a political party can never bring light to the world. Our insistence on bringing light to the world -- if we seek it first -- might. 

If we try to tie two things together -- faith and politics -- whichever one is more flexible is going to bend. 

To everything there is a season

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven. (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Ecclesiastes' most famous passage reminds me that there is an appropriate time for so many opposing actions in life, without spelling out for the reader what those may be. 

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 

A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 

A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 

A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 

A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. 

This passage is eloquent and beautiful about the times, but does not offer guidance on discerning the times. This leaves us with people who read the times differently: Is it a time to kill or a time to heal? Is it a time to weep or a time to laugh? A time to keep silence or a time to speak? 

I'm looking for more wisdom on that point, and the first step I have spotted is what Paul once said to the church in Corinth: 

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things are not edifying. Let no man seek his own, but every man another's prosperity. ... So whether you eat, or drink, or whatsoever you do, do it all to the glory of God. Give offence to none: neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking my own benefit, but the benefit of many, that they may be saved. (1 Corinthians 10:23-24, 31-33)

If I am looking to justify myself, I have the easy job of finding a way to justify myself since most things have their season. If I am looking to seek the glory of God, give offense to none, and seek the benefit of others in general, I have a more difficult job. This keeps a godly restraint on the tendency to read the times to justify myself, instead of conducting myself to redeem the times. 

Essential Bible Verses for Social Media Storms

As is my practice in the middle of polarizing and contentious events, this week I will not be posting a "business as usual" post. In some ways this post is a continuation of the post on Essential Bible Verses for Posting on Social Media. 

1. Avoid pouring fuel on the fire (Proverbs 15:1: A gentle answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger). 
2. Give focus to those who are loving and humble. (Ephesians 4:15: Speak the truth with love; Philippians 4:8 whatever is worthy of praise, think on these things.) 
3. Focus on earnest work for peace. (Romans 12:18: As far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.)
4. Grieve with those who grieve. (Romans 12:15: "Mourn with those who mourn." There are times when rejoicing is out of place, so the remainder of the verse is not implied by the quotation of the current part.) 
5. Do not believe the first report without reservation, and do not disbelieve a report merely because it differs from a previous report. (Proverbs 18:17: The first to present a case seems right til another comes forward and questions him.) 
6. We are called to be discerning about what we believe. (1 Thessalonians 5:21: Test everything, hold onto what is good.) 
7. We are called to be discerning about what we say. (Ephesians 4:29: Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful in building up others according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.) 
8. Be as unfailingly kind as our humanity can manage. (Ephesians 4:32: Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ has forgiven you.)

Help from the inside: the work of the Holy Spirit

I have been working towards a fuller understanding of the Holy Spirit, beginning with various things the Spirit is credited with accomplishing. 

• The Spirit of God is described as the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord, rejoicing in the presence of God, particularly resting on God's anointed (Isaiah 11:1-3)
• The Holy Spirit is the spirit by which we call God "Abba", "Father" (Romans 8:15, Galatian 4:6)
• The Holy Spirit is particularly credited with fellowship among believers (2 Corinthians 13:14, Philippians 2:1)
• The Holy Spirit is to lead the apostles into truth (John 16:13)
• The Holy Spirit is known as Comforter or Advocate (John 14:16, 14:26, 15:26, 16:7)
• The Holy Spirit makes intercession for us when we do not know what to pray (Romans 8:26)
• The Holy Spirit was promised to the apostles to supply the words to say during trials (Mark 13:11) and to teach them what to say on those occasions (Luke 12:11-12)

In some ways the Spirit is the least-seen among the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Still, in some ways the Spirit is the most intimate: with us, in our hearts, in our minds, living within us and helping from the inside.