I am my country’s humble servant, but God’s first.
If that makes me a conservative Christian, then so be it. If that labels me as evangelical, then so be it. Those labels don’t come from God, and I understand why humans label others when they’re struggling themselves to wrap their brains around the existence of God and my belief in Him. Took me a while, too. Labels help us compartmentalize that which we file away neatly in a box somewhere. For me, I am a Christ-follower.
That doesn’t reveal who I voted for in the last election. That doesn’t make me responsible for all of the ills in Hollywood, in the LGBT community, or amongst “pro-choicers” as reported by the liberal media, just because I ascribe to behavioral standards and share what they are. Those segments of our society eschew standards, until they need some.
I’m not the reason Romney lost in 2012, because he was a Mormon. Conservative-I-Guess-They’re-Christian commentators in the news media rail on people like me over the fact that Evangelical Christians did not turn out to vote for a Mormon. I voted in that election and have no problem answering for my choice when judgement day comes. Frankly, I don’t think that will be a problem. There will be other teeth-gnashing going on. But, Christ knows me (He could know you, too).
I’m not the reason our current President sins and has sinned and will sin—just like me. Conservative-I-Guess-They’re-Christian commentators in the news media rail on people like me over the fact that I haven’t denounced the sin of this current president. Actually, I’ve denounced sin and the Father of Lies a great deal on this website. But to be true to scripture, I’d rather talk about my own sin first, and confess that, before I poke my finger in another believer’s eye.
The truth is I’ve never slept with anyone else than my bride of nearly 41 years. That doesn’t mean I couldn’t sin. I’m not some perfect person who never sins. I’m not capricious about the fact that infidelity could happen to me. I just prevent it as best I can. I guard my heart. It does mean you can be faithful to one person for life—I’ve done it. You can, too. Follow my example. And if, like me, you have sinned, talk with God about it. Don’t worry about going to the press and condemning someone else. Take care of your own sin, know Christ, and be forgiven. He is the God of second chances.
God knows if the Conservative-I-Guess-They’re-Christian commentators are really conservative or Christians. That’s up to Him. They get paid to place labels on people and make assumptions about them based on those labels. I’ve taught statistics in class and know they can be used to fit any agenda.
But if you’re tired of being “railed on” by others and hearing that you’re being charged by your fellow humans with “hypocrisy” because you are not placarding the streets condemning the sin of our current president, that cacophony will always be with us. Find some hearing protection. Focus on being a Christ-follower, and guarding your heart. Still, don’t give up on your country, Hollywood, sinful leaders, commentators, the news media, and those who label you and put God in a box. They will always be with us as well.
Just be your country’s humble servant. But God’s first.