meditatio at the water's edge

justice and mercy...

I am afraid that we've become Republicans and Democrats and we've given up on biblical justice and mercy. Either it's too hard to really think through or we don't care. Or we think we're right because we believe that we are justified to completely fit within one of the political fortresses.

I hope I am wrong, but I believe we've bought into the idea that one side has it mostly right, and the other side has it mostly wrong. Once we buy the goods of whatever political party we end up with, then we can hear how hard 'our side' really works for justice and mercy.

It is justice and mercy for which they strive, but it's not from the perspective of the gospel. I want to see our hearts break for injustices; I want us to strive for the things of Jesus. I want us to care so deeply for life that abortion seems out of place for life within the kingdom and capital punishment and wars for the sake of nation building are also equally out of place.

... and it doesn't become simply a matter of finding new 'rights and wrongs' independent of the two dominant political parties. That wasn't Jesus point when he pointed out sins and brokenness. He also treated people, regardless of their sins, with great gentleness and respect.

Call these liberal ideas; call them conservative. Call them what you want. It's my belief that Jesus called the people who followed 'disciples.'