Christ (and Politics?) Alone

On this blog, I do my best to transcend trifling subjects. That is, I do not wish to simply put down events that have happened, but rather to show their significance in this wide world, to point people (myself, most of all) to a higher reason for them--for which reason must often be thrown out the window. So reluctantly, but necessarily, I must discuss the current buzz of the political world; necessarily so, because my heart and soul are hurting for the state of our nation and the state of the souls of men.

Lately, being home most every day, I have been listening to talk radio, which I do enjoy. It keeps me up to date on current events, which I feel I need to be following more closely than I've done in the past.

And on the radio (and elsewhere, of course), Barak Obama has been taking quite a hit because his pastor, Jeremiah Wright (it pains me to say "Reverend"), has been recorded vehemently spouting "anti-American," racist sentiments. Moreover, Obama replied to the angry masses with an historical speech on race, proceeding the next day to use the phrase "typical white person" in an interview, therefore taking yet another hit. So in summary, I've been hearing quite a bit of opinion from various Americans regarding this issue. Church-goers and others alike are astounded by the words of these men, and they should be, for the most part.

On the other end of the spectrum (sort of), I was sent an email containing a link to a YouTube video in which a black pastor in New York was preaching against Obama, basically calling him an agent of the devil. At one point, he even directly called Obama a "freak." So one black pastor sings Obama's praises in a bigotted way, and another black pastor condemns him in a bigotted way.

Now, I understand that sound bites can definitely take things out of context and, furthermore, perhaps I have not searched deeply enough, but...um, I'm having a little trouble finding people who are righteously outraged that these preachers are using the pulpit to bring forth anything other than Christ. I imagine that if Christ Himself could hold His nose long enough to walk into these churches, He would overturn the pulpits (one complete with a "Jesus is Lord" banner), for they certainly seem to be dens of robbers--robbing people of the truth that is Christ alone.

I am reminded "not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven..." Though in that same passage (Matthew 7) is the "Do not judge, or you too will be judged" verse, so do understand that I am not saying these men aren't actually Christians; it is obviously not my place to make that call. I simply want to know: What happened to pastors preaching Christ? Is the word of God so powerless as to need the help of man's viewpoint?

Christ is the supreme example of love (a love not of ourselves but of God, and love for others out of that love for God!), but I see no love in the words of these men. Jesus did not love certain groups of people, he loved all people, and that includes Hillary, Barak, McCain, Bush...every politician that ever made you appreciate or detest politics. They are all humans with souls, and slandering them will not save them. (Are you listening, right-wingers?) It will not save this nation either, as if we could slander the "bad" presidential candidates right out of office, then pat ourselves on the back for it.

God says, "When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:13-14) The more I listen to the news, the more I feel that we are in a spiritual drought, that armies of demons are devouring the hearts of man, that a plague of un-common sense is killing us off by the thousands. And that impresses on me the very great importance of a humble heart in prayer.

1 Peter 4:7-8 and 17-18: "The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins...it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, 'If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?'"

So get angry, America. So angry that you trade your "humble opinions" for humble hearts; so angry that you cry out for the One that can bring real change, change not of human policies but of the human condition from the inside out. Love as Christ would love. And let it begin in me.