Sorry, but I will never say that you are not a Christian

Romans 12:14-19 (TNIV)

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not think you are superior.

¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹ 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.

I would like to think that politics mixed with religion has always produced a nasty concoction, but despite our efforts to detroy one another somehow we have made it through as a country. While that very well may be true, it seems as if today’s political and religious rhetoric is getting particularly nasty.  I have no interested in “making nice” or having any false sense of community, but rather I choose to FIGHT that with which I disagree with the strong graciousness that my understanding of faith calls me to.  So . . . before any more of us start walking down the easy path of judgementalism echoing the “You are not a Christian!” chorus, I offer this confession and prayer that has been going through my head as of late.

If you say that you are a Christian, no matter how much I may want to deny any validity to the faith you claim . . .

I will never say that you are not a Christian.

I may not be able to find a common church community with you,  worship with you or even be in the same room with you, but . . .

I will never say that you are not a Christian.

I may vehemently disagree with your interpretation of Scripture about marriage, homosexuality, capital punishment, war, poverty and a whole other list of social and cultural issues, but . . .

I will never say that you are not a Christian.

I may feel called to speak and act against the version of Christianity that you espouse because I believe it to exclusive, hateful and denies the God-given dignity that every human being has, but . . .

I will never say that you are not a Christian.

I may want God to come down and with a mighty act silence your voice and the voice of those who hold your theological, political and ideological positions; for this I ask for forgiveness, but . . .

I will never say that you are not a Christian.

You may not feel the same about me and those like me, but if you claim the Christian faith, I will always see you as a brother or sister in Christ, a created child of God and a faithful person seeking God’s will upon your life; and for this reason . . .

I will never say that you are not a Christian.

Lord hear our prayer.

Amen.

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