Here’s a picture of a man screaming at his Senator, at a “town hall” meeting concerning health care reform:
There are strong feelings on this, and on many other issues. But I wonder if there is a better way forward, than screaming and anger and intimidation and other forms of violence?
I would suggest that Christians are to be public with their faith, active politically on behalf of God’s priorities as witnessed in the Bible (the overwhelming emphasis in Scripture is care of the poor and justice for those who are powerless).
But instead of imitating the citizen in the photograph above, here’s a list of behaviors describing a better way to live, while pursuing political activism as a follower of Jesus: Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Generosity. Gentleness. Hospitality to strangers. Inclusion. Perseverance in prayer. Self-control. Compassion. Humility. Meekness (which means courageous resistance against the impulse to respond to violence with violence). Forgiveness. Thankfulness. Offering blessings rather than curses. Sharing in others’ joys and sufferings. Associating with the lowly. Loving and feeding your enemies. Responding to evil with goodness.
According to Galatians 5:22-23; Romans 12:2, 9-21; and Colossians 3:12-17; God the Holy Spirit moves to form us in such virtures, when we are open to the journey of faith.
