Who is in? Who is Out? Us or Them?
“Politics depends on the recognition of outsiders, yet the Christian church sees all people as potential members, indeed potential saints.” ~ Matthew Rose
Everyone agrees that we live in a polarized and divided world. One reason for this is that we define people (mostly) by their political views. Countries, cities, neighborhoods, churches – even families – have been sharply divided about public policies (and politicians).
Have you ever considered that Christianity offers the greatest hope for overcoming this division? We offer hope because we welcome all people regardless of race or background or political views. We offer hope because we serve God as a higher and greater authority than any worldly power.
We who were once outsiders have been brought in. We are now family – sisters and brothers. And we invite everyone into the family. Everyone can be in.
We just endured an intense election season and now we enter a season of change in government leadership and political philosophy. This shift may be a source of sorrow or celebration depending on your politics. But we all can celebrate (regardless of who wins any election in the present or future) because we have the hope of unity in a world trying to pit insiders against outsiders.
We are ambassadors from another kingdom inviting others in. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their sins against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
The Lord be with you!
Kent Landhuis
Pastor of Teaching & Leadership
