Why Do People Think I'm A Liberal?

First, let me assure everyone that I am not only NOT a Liberal, I am also NOT a Conservative, or a Libertarian, or anything else.

Secondly, I want to address why some people make this assumption about me.

Here it is: They assume that I am being political because they are primarily political in their thinking.

So, when I say, “Jesus wants us to care for the poor,” or “Jesus wants us to love our enemies and bless those who curse us,” they – being sacralists – hear that and apply it to the political realm. This is much the same as when people assume that these statements must apply to the State. [See previous post “Who Are We?”]

Out of all the reactions I receive, this is the one that perplexes me the most.

Why? Because all I’m doing is quoting the New Testament. I’m taking the exact words of Jesus and reminding my brothers and sisters that Jesus told us all to do it. And then those Christians respond by saying, “You’re a Liberal!”

Uh…what?

And why do they do that? Because they see their faith as being entangled with their politics. In fact, most of them cannot imagine their faith apart from their politics. For example, every single time I suggest that Christians around the globe around not Capitalists, or Americans, - every single time – someone responds with “Well, they would if they had freedom!”

Which not only misses the point entirely, it assumes that everyone WANTS to be an American and a Capitalist – especially if they are a Christian.

Can we imagine our faith apart from our politics? Can we embrace a Gospel that isn’t about laws, or public policy, or social programs, or political leaders?

Better yet, can we just start taking the words of Jesus seriously? Can we simply humble ourselves before Him, die to our agendas, take up our cross, and follow Him daily?

If we can’t then we’re going to have to stop calling ourselves “Christians” because Jesus doesn’t know of any other kind of Christian than one who does what He says.

“If anyone would be my disciple, he must take up his cross daily, die to himself, and follow me,” – Jesus

So, again, for the record, I am not a Liberal, or a Democrat. I do not even vote. I do not endorse any political party or agenda or candidate for office. I place no faith whatsoever in politics or politicians.

The only hope for this nation – for this entire world – is Jesus Christ and His Gospel of the Kingdom.

His Word transforms us. His Spirit empowers us. His love compels us.

There’s a world out there that needs to be changed. Those who take His words seriously and put His commands into practice are the only ones who will ever change it for the better.

Let His Kingdom come!

Amen.

-kg

**

NOTE: This article is part 3 in a series of “Jesus Untangled” articles.

READ THE ENTIRE "JESUS UNTANGLED" SERIES:

Part 1: "Jesus Untangled"
Part 2: "Who Are We?"
Part 3: "Why Do People Think I'm A Liberal?"
Part 4: "Still Embracing Constantine?"

Part 5: How American Evangelicalism Has Been Exploited, by Ross Rohde

Part 6: The Entanglement Agenda

Part 7: "What Would Jesus Say About The American Revolution?" by Chuck McKnight

Part 8: "Ambassadors of Contrast"

Part 9: “AWOL Christian Soldiers”
Part 10: "The Elephant In The Church"

Part 11: "Christian American Horror Story"

Part 12: "Our True Source of Liberty" by Ross Rohde

Part 13: "Welcome To Post Christian America"

Part 14: "What Would Wilberforce Do?"
Part 15: "Crucify Your Politics"

METAPHORS

 

I was corresponding with someone this week about metaphors for ministry and for understanding our own calling.

Metaphors help us to take a step back and look at our experiences and our thoughts from a different vantage point. Sometimes this helps us to discover things that we never would have thought of before.

A few years ago I received a prophetic word from a guy at church that confirmed what I was asking God that same week (about whether or not to launch a new compassion ministry at our church), and the word was about me being a "Point Man" in our church, leading the people into new territory and being careful to lead them through the dangers and towards the place that God (our commanding officer) was sending us.

Of course, the whole idea of being a point man kinda scared the heck out of me. In real life, a point man is the guy who takes the bullet if the unit walks into an ambush. He's the guy who had better know where they're going or else everyone will get lost in the jungle and die.

I figured if God was taking this metaphor seriously then I should take it seriously too.

One Sunday the same guy gave me another word. The funny thing is, I knew he was going to have another word for me before he did. And no, this guy isn't one of those 'prophetic' kind of people who is always going around handing out words. In all the time I've known him, (2 years or more), this  word on Sunday was only the second thing he'd ever shared with me.

The word he gave me was about my family being like indigenous 'special forces' units within the community. There were a lot of little details, like how we're part of the community, specialized and equipping others in the community to join with us, and teaching them to train others, etc. It was exactly about what we're doing now by starting a missional house church here in a new community.

How can I discount this sort of thing? Such a specific word of encouragement at such a perfect time and place. Like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

Spencer Burke ("Making Sense Of Church") talks about having a personal metaphor. For example, he said he felt like he was a fire starter. His calling and gifting were related to helping others get on fire for what God was calling them to do.

I think I'm like a magnifying glass. I help people to see things that they might not otherwise see and to magnify the urgency or amplify the vision that God is giving them.

Of course, I’ve learned over time that these metaphors all have a negative side as well as a positive side. For me, a magnifying glass, the negative is that sometimes burn holes in the things it is intending to magnify. The danger is in becoming more focused on the negative than on the positive.

Everyone has a specific calling, gifting or purpose within the Body of Christ. It's God's promise and His plan to build up the Church. Our part is to understand who we are specifically made to be and then to fulfill that calling.

So, class, the question for today is: "What's your metaphor?"

-kg

 

*Note: Originally published on the [Subversive Underground] e-newsletter.