To the Church: Remain at the Table

Dear church,

this morning my heart was in a very tender position for our country. With political turmoil and disunity raging in our families, workplaces, and homes, I would like to offer some encouragement. Fight for unity.

I love Jesus and how he continually went against the cultural grain to get His love to the lost. Us as Christ followers aren’t called to shout the loudest to those who don’t stand for the policy we believe in, but to get close to those with opposing stances and extend love. To remain at the table with sons and daughters of the Most High! People with who voted for Trump don’t deserve the Love of Jesus less, and same goes for those who voted for Biden. Our goal, OUR GOAL isn’t to make people align with our political views, but to passionately pursue everyone equally until they know the heart of God for them. As Christians the greatest, most important thing, is that we love the Lord with all that we are…and then love our (trump/biden) neighbors as we have been loved. Imagine when you get to Heaven and you stand before the throne, how would it feel if the Father asks you, “Why didn’t you pursue them with my love?”

When you meet with the Father in secret, and allow His overwhelming love to pour over you, it will be easy to love ALL those around you. 

“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” (JAMES 1:19-24)

It is beautiful how accurately the words written by James still apply to us today. ‘Receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save souls!’

I recently talked with a friend that said, “The left is breaking the church apart and stopping worship in California for Christians. This is persecution! How could anyone who loves God vote for that?” 

I kindly replied that, people can still love the Lord with all their heart and vote opposing to what you believe is the “Christian party”. I went on to say that although that might be a legitimate concern because we live in a free country, but that type of persecution is quite minimal when it comes to what Jesus said would come for those who follow Him. What I am about to say is completely my opinion, and it is very unpopular nowadays…I think the American church would benefit from persecution. Do I wish it upon believers? No. Do I think it would grow and ignite Jesus followers? Yes.

My prayer is for believers to embody more of what Paul describes as, “Marks of the True Christian.”

Romans 12: 9-21

‘Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.’

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, thank you for today. You have been so patient with me and freely extended you love to me. Let me live like you. Allow my pursuit of others be simply to love and reflect your pursuit of me. I thank you for painting a perfect example of how to remain at the table with those who didn’t live like you, see like you, or speak like you. But you remained with them, outpouring your love. Remind me when trials come that you are close, and you are enough. My confidence is your faithfulness and I will abide in you. Allow my life to be full of your fruit and reflecting your heart. You have equipped me to love, send me to those who need it. Amen.