As an encouragement during this election year with all its posturing, positioning, and finger pointing, before we jump in to the fray (politically, theologically, societally) let’s remember that we are first human before anything else, and that we are dealing with other humans. I believe that Jesus speaks to this in two ways, his teaching on the two greatest commandments, and through his life as the incarnated Son of God. I interpret Jesus’ teaching on the two greatest commandments (love God and love others) as we love God well when we love others well. (Luke 10:27) The Apostle Paul encapsulated Jesus’ earthly life in Philippians 2:5-8.

 

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own     advantage;

rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death-
    even death on a cross!

 

God, in order to deal with the sinful condition of humanity, himself had to become a human in the person of Jesus Christ, and in so doing overcame sin and became for us a perfect sacrifice for our sins. In all this he became our example of how to live humanly, treating all with dignity, grace, and love. 

 

So, before we decide to make our case, let’s remember that the one with whom we may disagree is, too, a person that Jesus loves and died for.

 

Grace and peace,

Brook