Angry Politics and the Gospel

“We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19, ESV)

Stepping On Toes

I’ll probably step on a few toes with this post. At least in stepping on some toes, I will attempt to do it lightly and I assure you I will not enjoy stepping on those toes while I do it. I will wince and grimace the entire time. 

Angry Politics

I gathered with a group of pastors the other day and we began to talk about politics. One pastor asked, “Have you noticed the increased polarization of the political climate in your churches? And, do you think it is affecting ministry?” Everyone agreed they noticed it. We began to talk about what’s going on and the ways it is affecting ministry—and ways to address it. 

During the conversation, something struck me. As I look around at the political anger on both sides of the aisle, all I see is anger. You might say, “Well, duh!”, but let me explain myself. All I see is anger and no action. 

Actionless Anger

I see many people angry about the infanticide happening in our country, but few people acting to address the issue. I see many people angry about the lack of support for immigrants in our country, but few people doing anything about it. People are wound up about health care, free markets, second amendment, first amendment, college tuition, climate change, etc. but their only action is being angry (and voting for someone who will address their particular issue). 

Now, I completely understand that voting is taking action on particular issues. But, a major problem in our country is that we’ve been hypnotized into thinking anger is action. It’s not. It’s just anger. 

Pretend Action

Yet, we feel like we are doing something when we’re angry. We feel like we are taking a stand against something when we’re angry. So, we listen to the news, get all riled up, then walk away—doing nothing—feeling like we’ve addressed the issues that concern us. We have addressed nothing. We haven’t helped the situation. 

Some may say, “Wait, I actually do something with my anger. I get onto social media and try to convince other people of my opinions so they are angry along with me.” Yep, that’ll solve the problem. Let’s all be angry together, doing nothing to address the problems. 

Do Something: Preach The Gospel

If you want to do something that will make a difference to address the issues that concern you—preach the gospel. That’s right, preach the gospel. Hearts are changed through the preaching of the gospel. With changed hearts come changed lives and actions. That is an action you CAN take that will make a difference and bring about change. God guarantees it. 

The underlying frustration in these political issues is whether we are loving our neighbors as ourselves. Yet, scripture says, “We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19, ESV). If we desire to see a world where people love their neighbors, they need to experience the love of God that comes through the gospel. So, stop being angry and do something that will bring about change. Preach the gospel.