What is love? (baby don't hurt me)
It's amazing how I try to stay out of political conversation, but boy, how the flesh is weak. It feels impossible to stay away from emoting about political positions regarding what the Left or the Right are doing.
Quite often I have to remind myself what agape love is:
Patient
Kind
Does not envy
Does not boast
Not proud
It does not dishonor others
It is not self-seeking
It is not easily angered
It keeps no record of wrongs
Agape love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Agape never fails.
How does one remain objective and not lose one's cool?
Honestly, if I figure it out I'll let you know. Everyone carries with them certain biases. Everyone is biased. To overcome bias a person needs to rise above it, and take a 10,000 foot view at the issue. This is one of those "WWJD" sorts of things. Jesus Christ, liberal to the religious elite of the day, and conservative to the Greco-Roman culture of the day, in His infinite wisdom and compassion, never got caught up on the outward appearance of the person. Rather he looked at the heart. Sectarianism was easily as strong back in 1st century CE as it is today, perhaps even worse. Often when someone sought to trap Him with a fallacy statement/question, Jesus knew the underlying intent, and addressed them accordingly in love. Sometimes those loving responses were a bit sharp, but never were they done in hatred. Sometimes, in order to correct in love, discipline needs to hurt a little.It is this Christlike wisdom we ought to seek, that we become imitators of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1, Ephesians 5:1-2, 1 John 2:6)
Failure to stay consistent
Desiring to be objective I'll stand up and admit to my failure here. No I won't cast the first stone, for I am not without sin. Although I am a Christian believer, I am still a sinner, and every day I need a savior. This is not to say that I fear losing my salvation. Although Jesus lives within me I still live in this body of flesh. Spiritual maturity is a transformative process, conducted through the renewing of one's mind (Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 3:18). One does not mature from childhood into adulthood at the flipping of a switch. Only through proper nutrition, regular activity, proper instruction, and experience do we make that progression. This is true physically, intellectually, and spiritually.
Is it possible to maintain Christian principles on agape love, yet be involved politically?
I'd like to think there's a harmony. If focused properly through the lens of the Bible it is possible. Paul instructs the Philippians "...make my joy complete by being like-minded (united with Christ, full of tenderness and compassion, having comfort from Christ's agape love), having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves" Philippians 2:2-3. Let whatever our responses are be focused through this lens. Do not respond in anger, but rather with a calm and rational mind. Be aware of your own bias, and contemplate perhaps it may pollute your perspective.Typically I refrain from name calling or attacking the opponent's character. However I know I am not innocent of this sin. What is right would be for me to reconcile with this individual, presenting my apology in humility. Perhaps I'll update this blog after I have done this.
Conclusion
When the Apostle Paul instructs us to live lives worthy of the Gospel (Philippians 1:27, Ephesians 4:1), he's actually telling us something significant. Zeal for one's cause, passion for principles, pride in one's concept of purity and pedigree, Paul attests, for the spiritually mature, these things are all garbage. In light of gaining Christ and being found in Him, of not being self-righteous, but rather possessing the righteousness of God through faith, the spiritually mature considers all these other things loss.Objectively speaking, let us go forth in this light.
