I’ve been feeling a general sense of uneasiness and anxiety this week. It’s been draining my energy and making me cranky and withdrawn. It got worse today, so I decided it was time for me to take a moment and process my feelings.
I finally figured out what the source of my anxiety was while I was listening to a podcast discussing current events in our nation. I try not to get caught up in the political maelstrom, but this has been a terrible couple of weeks for America! Political influencer Charlie Kirk was murdered for his ideas and speech. Political leaders responded by cranking up divisive rhetoric and in some cases calling for violent response. Then a popular TV personality was fired due to his speech on TV, and people are fighting even more. Never before have I believed our nation was actually primed for civil war, but the pressure is just getting stronger on both sides, and it’s gotta break somehow.
People have made a lot of excuses lately for bad behavior, but I just want to make one thing very clear- there is no place in Jesus’ Church for political violence. Let’s start with Stephen in Acts 7. He spoke out against the persecution of Christians by the Jews and condemned their rejection of Jesus, and those in power killed him for it. In the moment of the first Christian martyr, what did he say? Did he call for revolution? Did he call his brothers and sisters to take up arms and avenge him, or even to prepare to protect themselves? No, he followed the example of Christ, and as the Holy Spirit filled him, he prayed that God would forgive his killers.
Paul, who ironically condoned this killing before being dramatically transformed by Christ, wrote to Christians in Rome who were experiencing persecution. As tensions rose and Christians were ostracized in Rome, he would write to the Christians living in the Roman capitol-
“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” Romans 13:1 NIV
This scripture, inspired by God, was written only a few years before Nero would force Christians to fight lions in the coliseum, crucify them in a mockery of Jesus, and light them on fire as torches. Did God give the wrong message to Paul? Or did he prepare them to be peaceful and submit to persecution, because that is His will for the Church?
How about Jesus? He scolded Peter for taking up arms in His defense when He was unjustly arrested. He submitted to the judgement of the Roman leader Pilate and the corrupt High Priest Caiaphus. This is God incarnate, commander of Heaven’s armies, the prime example for Christians in all eras. He didn’t fight, call for violence, or use an ounce of His power in His defense. He could have used power to turn the whole world to His will. What He did instead was submit to persecution and pray for His enemies, just as He told His followers in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5:44) and just as He would fill Stephan’s heart with power to do in his martyrdom, and just as He would inspire Paul to direct the Romans to do.
Anyone who tells you this is the time to take up arms against your political enemies in your community is not speaking the truth of Jesus. They do not follow His Word or His example. In Christ, there is no justification for political violence.
His example is a challenging one. His guidance is hard to hear and harder to practice- love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matt 5:44). He also said “small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matt 7:14). Don’t give in to the many voices calling for revenge or for the domination of your political opponents, it is NOT the way of Christ!
I can’t say it better than scripture does, so I’ll leave it with this-
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:14-21 NIV