I am bewildered by our current leaders who claim to be Christian and state they want to bring “Christian values” back to our nation. It doesn’t appear the values they espouse and seek are as in line with Christ as they try to make it seem.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 5:16-20)
The apostle Paul had something to say about fruit, and freedom (something else these “Christian” leaders also like to talk about a lot), in his letter to the Galatians:
For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters, only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become enslaved to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.
Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:13-26)
Let’s think about these two lists and which attributes are on full display by our current leaders. A quick perusal of these two lists makes it pretty clear which one resonates more.
Let me be the first to say that no one, including me, is bearing the best fruit all of the time. If you followed me around all day, every day, there would be plenty of times you could say “gotcha” and point out one of the behaviors on the first list. But I would hope, and believe, you would see me seeking to embody the fruit of the Spirit far more than falling prey to the works of the flesh.
However, it seems pretty clear our nation’s leaders are leaning wholeheartedly into the first list far more than the second. I won’t run down the whole list, but let’s consider a few examples:
Creating strife trumps peace. We only have to look at the current situation in Los Angeles. While there was limited violence prior to the arrival of military personnel, their arrival increased strife rather than encouraging peace.
Displaying anger trumps joy. I can think of very few times I have seen joy from our current leaders, unless it’s the joy of harming someone they don’t like.
Dissension trumps gentleness. Almost every discussion, disagreement, and debate starts from a place of attacking perceived “enemies” and there is seldom a display of gentleness towards anyone who even slightly disagrees.
Causing factions trumps generosity. Rather than offering the benefit of the doubt or offering a hint of generosity, division, slander, and abuse seem to be the default mode.
Embodying enmities trumps kindness. In a similar vein, hostility towards the other happens every day, All you have to do is glance at social media posts to see that kindness is seemingly non-existent.
A final word of caution and encouragement.
Let those of us who disagree with the current administration’s actions and behaviors be mindful. Let us not fall into the trap of emulating the very behaviors we decry. While I believe it is our moral obligation to oppose those behaviors that are an affront to common decency and humanity, let us not answer fire with fire. Rather, in the words of Paul from Romans 12:21, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.“
Breaking Into Peace 