Continuing from the most recent post:
One of the standard lines used in most arguments about matters of philosophy and the political position derived from same is accusing the other side of having a “closed mind.” This implies an unyielding adherence to something — ideology, personal preference, what have you — at the exclusion of considering other viewpoints or data sets. Which is, by the definition of the one leveling the charge, a bad thing.
Not always.
There are absolutes in this world, ones that are often more than a little inconvenient. Heaven, hell, sin, salvation — these are not negotiables. Jesus is who He says He is. His Word is His Word. The honest believer knows these things and acts upon them.
Yet even with this, the honest believer never fails to give God His proper place as the sole judge. They are mindful of His admonition that He will have mercy on whom He will have mercy and compassion on whom He will have compassion. With this in mind and heart, the honest believer lives in a state of free-flowing love toward others even as their mind is closed against all lies against Christ and the truth. How can one live in any other fashion and honor Jesus? To do anything else boils down to our playing God; a game we must never play. Never.
Therefore, the Christian who works in the political realm approaches it with an open hand, open heart and closed mind. They know the individual on the other side of the aisle is as they are, both a sinner completely reliant on God’s grace and a person of such worth Jesus died so they could have the opportunity to spend eternity with Him if they ask Him into their life. They know that, as has been said before and will be said again, the Prince of Peace trumps politics every single time.
They also know it is vital to avoid compromise of their beliefs.
If one genuinely believes their political philosophy and practices are rooted in a Scriptural view of life, it is of paramount importance they have the courage of their convictions when acting in the political realm. As noted above, there are absolutes. If you believe something, act like it. Otherwise your beliefs are meaningless.
Open hand, open heart, closed mind. Acknowledge the reality of evil; oppose it at every turn. Choose your compatriots wisely. Value people as they are valued by Christ.
These are the things we must do to confront the evil that men do.
