Genesis 1:27
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Matthew 5:46-47
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same?
John 13:34-35
A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so also you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.
Recently, we spent time visiting with some dear Christian friends who love Jesus, honor God, and serve God’s Kingdom faithfully. They also happen to vote on the other side of the political spectrum than we do. We usually don’t talk about politics, but with COVID-19 on the rise, heightened racial tensions and no sporting events to discuss, politics came front and center in many of our discussions.
We live in an age where people use broad brush strokes to paint pictures that define people based on their religion, political affiliation, stance on major issues, or behavior. Christians are _________. Democrats are __________. Republicans are ________. Those who protest are ________. Those who don’t stand up for injustice are __________. Those who wear masks are __________. Those who don’t wear masks are ________.
We do this because it’s much easier to villainies a group of people when you don’t actually put faces, families or feelings together with the groups you disagree with. But the people in these groups are all made in the image of God. They have faces that we should get to know, families with needs we should help fulfill and feelings with which we should empathize. Some of “them” are not so different from “us.”
We were likely never going to change our friends’ political minds, nor them ours; but hopefully talking out the issues at least made it possible for each “side” to understand that rational, God-fearing people may actually exist on the “other side” of the political spectrum. Even if people at times are not rational, they are still made in the image of God and must be treated with love.
As Christ’s Church we are called to love one another. It’s complicated. It’s not easy. But we are commanded by Jesus to do it. Maybe we can start by getting to know the faces, families and feelings of those who seem to be “opposed” to us. After all, we are all created in His image!
Wonder:
How can we see God’s image in others?
How can we show love for others?
How can we keep from “villainising” those who disagree with us?
Bless:
Dear God,
Help us to remember that all people are created in your image and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. When we get frustrated with the world, politics, and even the people around us, help us to remember that all of our hope is actually in Jesus and it is not our job to win arguments but to share His love with others!
Amen