Recently scrolling the Internet, I came across a short online article that claimed, according to surveys, 70% of America’s population claim to be Christian (see reddit.com) If such a large majority of Americans claim to be followers of Jesus, then why has such a large seeming majority of our nation’s citizens and leaders become so openly and unashamedly mean-spirited and hateful? If we as a nation are really made up of such a large portion of our population who truly believe in and follow and reflect the love of Jesus then we should be the nicest, most loving, welcoming, accepting, nation on the planet! We would be known throughout the world by our love. As Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35, emphasis mine). 

 

In a recent sermon, I mentioned that many of us unfortunately feel compelled to share our disapproval of other people’s lifestyles, or political ideals, or mode of dress, or anything else someone may disapprove of in the life, or actions, or point of view of another person or persons. I said in that sermon that our opinions, political points of view, preconceived notions, and prejudices are not important when it comes to loving and accepting others as Jesus loved and accepted others. What is important is the love and acceptance of Jesus Christ we share with all people as Jesus modeled throughout the gospels, for which he was criticized for by the religious professionals of his time. I’ve come to the conclusion that many of our own personal opinions, political points of view, preconceived notions, and prejudices are not often aligned with Jesus according to the words and teachings of Jesus recorded in the gospels. 

 

I wonder if maybe we Christians, including me, sometimes get confused to what is our Christian faith in contrast to what is our personal opinions, biases, and preconceived political notions, which may not always agree with the teachings of Jesus and thus our Christian faith. If we hold a view contrary to Jesus’ teaching and example then we shouldn’t call it a Christian position.  We ought to call a thing by its rightful name. We should be honest. If our point of view does not agree with Jesus’ teaching and example then acknowledging that fact can help guide us back to a Jesus’ point of view and position. 

 

Maybe you are getting weary of me saying these sorts of things over and over again. But turn on the news and we hear people saying lots of things in the name of their “Christian faith” that, at least to me, doesn’t look or sound anything like Jesus. That’s when I’d say, if it doesn’t look or sound like Jesus then it is not Christian. Our goal at Parma Lutheran is to proclaim our faith in Jesus Christ, and follow him. So that our individual lives and church community may reflect him and his love for all people regardless of our personal opinions, biases, and preconceived political notions. Amen. 

 

Journeying with you in faith, 

Pastor “Jay” Plummer