Am I a weak person because I allow the behavior of others to cause me to doubt? Then call me a weak person. I will not dispute it. I can be nothing more than myself.
The recent tidal wave of horrible news involving Alabama candidate for U.S. Senate Roy Moore has me very angry, hurt, and shaken. It causes me to question my faith. It undermines my respect for those I love.
Roy Moore has been accused of some extremely morally reprehensible acts. He is not on trial and no criminal charges have been filed. But the people of Alabama, specifically, must pass judgment on him as to whether he is worthy of the job of U.S. Senator. And the eyes of a Nation are upon them.
This post is not about Roy Moore, though. This post is about the rest of us.
Roy Moore and his alleged acts of sexually assaulting young girls have been defended and normalized on the basis that other men have engaged in similar behavior without as much outrage in the past.
His alleged acts have been defended as not being so far outside the norm as to be that reprehensible.
His alleged acts have been defended on the basis these young girls are, at least partially, to blame.
And, in the most bizarre of statements, his alleged reprehensible acts have been warmly compared to the tender relationship between the Bible’s Joseph and Mary—where, out of pure and unselfish love, a respected local carpenter sought to maintain and protect his young, virgin bride from the assured disgrace and social ruin he could have caused by ending their engagement.
(A far cry from a local district attorney allegedly forcibly pushing a 16-year-old girl’s face into his crotch for his own pleasure.)
And these defenses have been mounted, in large part, by Christians.
Christians have a responsibility that goes far beyond political beliefs.
And that is this and this alone:
Love God. Love your neighbor. And spread the Good News of Jesus everywhere you go by exemplifying that Love.
That is it. It is really that simple. Just Love.
Jesus never instructed us to make sure and keep the Ten Commandments posted in our courthouses.
Jesus never stressed the importance of electing “Christian politicians” to ensure we make “Christian laws.”
Jesus never sermonized on making sure we create a political environment for the appointment of “Christian judges.”
And Jesus never commanded (Here it comes—blasphemy of all blasphemies) that we create a “Christian Nation” to forcibly persuade others toward a recognition and belief in Jesus.
At best, I believe Jesus said “render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s”.
And Jesus made it our individual responsibility to Love.
And to use this Love to inspire a thirst for him.
So when I see you, my fellow Christians, attempt to defend the indefensible Roy Moore—when even Roy Moore can’t even consistently defend himself (see the Sean Hannity interview for reference) . . . when this happens, I lose faith too.
You create stumbling blocks for other Christians. So just imagine how your words are affecting those who could really benefit from experiencing a real God-breathed Love!!
At times like this, I cling to Jesus because I need to see there is goodness and love and healing.
But I also cry because I legitimately question whether faith has failed when this is what so much of Christ’s church has become.
Politics. Hate. Struggles for power.
You can criticize my unbelief. I wish I was not so easily shaken by your words and deeds.
But I know I am far from alone in this. There are so many who want to embrace belief but cannot. Why? Because of the mixed messages. They want the Love, the luggage you bring they could do without.
So just keep this in mind: I know my doubt will be judged by Jesus himself one day; yet, I am reasonably assured that the Love to which I cling will forgive my doubt.
Are you as confident that the stumbling blocks you have created will be so forgiven? Should you be?
At least I can say this, I was converted to a Savior who is immutable and unerring. I have a King who is sovereign and above-reproach. It is a good thing my faith ultimately lies in Him and not in you.