We as Conservative Evangelicals have a tendency to be so disgusted with the stances and actions of “leftists” that we do whatever we can to be the opposite of them, like a pendulum swing. As a result, instead of following Christ we’re following whatever seems to help us in our political battles. We justify our actions simply because they are opposite of those of whomever we disagree with.
Where the liberals reach out to homosexuals, we turn a cold shoulder. Where they lament the deaths of children in Palestine, we ignore it because either we don’t want to be seen as pro-Palestine or we think the “peace of Jerusalem” means their destruction. Where they advocate welfare for those who are truly in need, we shout it down because there are people who abuse the system.
We’re allowing political stance to take the place of following Christ. We’ve been duped into playing this game of political warfare with the devil, because as long as he keeps us occupied exclusively with political warfare we cannot engage spiritual warfare. In all our feverish struggle against idealisms we despise, we’ve forgotten the Great Commission: the Gospel.
The antithesis of homosexuality is not traditional marriage. It’s the Gospel.
The antithesis of government welfare is not an “every man for himself” attitude. It’s the Gospel.
The antithesis of hatred towards Israel is not imprecatory prayers against Palestine. It’s the Gospel.
The antithesis of liberalism is not Conservative Evangelicalism. It’s the Gospel.
If our struggle against the powers of this world is not founded upon, and only upon, the Gospel then we’ve already lost. God is not pleased with us because we’re conservative, evangelical or against homosexual marriage. He is only pleased with us when we are covered in the righteousness of Christ. When we love, really love, those who hate us. When we’re willing to take a courageous stand and die for them.
Satan would rather have us be staunch conservatives warring against liberals than humble, meek Christians following our Lord to the death. We cannot afford to play into his hands.
It’s time to stop the pendulum swing. Let the Gospel define your conservatism, your stance on marriage, and your prayers for Israel (Want to pray for the peace of Jerusalem? Pray for both Israel and Palestine to repent and turn to Christ!). If we don’t have the Gospel, we don’t have love. If we don’t have love, we don’t have Christ.
