I texted my friend, “I’m shaking mad.”
I’d just seen a reel of a well-known Christian woman saying that progressives aren’t people who care about the marginalized, and that they are “anti-Christ.” Although I rarely comment on political posts, I typed with fury, “Making sweeping generalizations and assigning motives to an entire political party or people group is anti-Christ, too.”
It didn’t feel good to comment, nor did it help me stop shaking. But I felt it defended people I know and love who identify as progressive. People who don’t just talk about caring about the marginalized but many who do things to help them. Many of them love Jesus, and I believe more of them would, if it weren’t for people who make derogatory, sweeping generalizations about them,
in Jesus’ name.
I understand these comments aren’t restricted to conservative Christians. There are progressives and democrats who demonize the side they’re not on, too. But I believe if we’re going to make statements using Jesus to substantiate them, we’d better be very careful and prayerful before calling people anti-Christlike.
(Not to mention, we’re all anti-Christlike. That’s why Jesus had to die in the first place.)
More than I care about if someone identifies as progressive, I want them to know the depth of Chris’s love for them. I’m more worried about where they’ll spend eternity than how they vote. And in my weak faith, I suppose I’m afraid they might never know God’s grace, mercy, and love if the people who love Him are making divisive and derogatory comments about them –
loud, arrogant things Jesus would never say.
When I shared all of this with a friend, she responded empathetically and lovingly. Said she was praying for our country and for the woman who’d infuriated me. And in a twist of irony, I was immediately convicted. I hadn’t thought to pray for her. I was gossiping about her. I was being loud, arrogant, and divisive,
in Jesus’ name.
It’s humbling to realize I need forgiveness every day. It’s embarrassing to be convicted while feeling so self-righteous. It’s hard to admit I’m a hypocrite that needs the Spirit’s help to love everyone like God loves me,
Patiently, mercifully, and overflowing with grace and kindness.
Father, help us all.