Faith and Politics – Listening With Kindness

Over the past few days, we’ve raised the question: How do we, as followers of Jesus, engage the culture and politics of our day?   I’ll offer three basic thoughts, and I’ll start today with this.

First, can we at least agree on the need to listen to one another – with basic kindness?

People on the outside are supposed to be able to look at us and say, “See how they love one another…” Yes, they have convictions. Yes, they have a backbone. But look at these people. They are kind, they are compassionate. And they listen. Because how we handle our differences on these issues definitely affects our witness to the world. While the end result is important, the means are just as important. Because they affect the way the gospel is heard or not heard by the outside world.

Have you ever been around someone, when a controversial subject comes up,  and they have a strong opinion on it – it’s like there’s no air left in the room? They’ll shut you down immediately. And you know that even if you could get a word in edgewise – they’d never hear a word of it. 

I hope that’s not us!

Charlie Munger has this great quote: “I will not allow myself to hold an opinion on a topic that I can’t articulate the opposing view better than those who hold it.”

If you could get to the point where you could argue the issue from either side – then you’ve truly heard. Doing this will either change your heart – or it will strengthen your belief. Either way, if you understand the issue from both sides, it will help you love and empathize with the people you’re talking to. From a Christian perspective, nothing could be more important than that. No law, no program, no agenda… nothing…

In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul writes, “And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three. But the greatest of these is love.” 

Let us pray: We pray O God, for our country in this election year. In spite of our political differences help us to listen deeply to one another, help us listen deeply to you. Where we disagree with one another – may we do so in a spirit of love. May we, who seek to follow you, be the salt and the levain and the light that reflects your gospel. By the way that we live, by the way that we speak, by the way that we work and play and interact – use our very lives to bring hope and mercy and joy to a world desperately in need. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.