“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. —Matthew 5:43-48

Kingdom kindness (hesed) in Hebrew has to do with willing the good for others.

The problem is that we live in a time of cultural contempt, where others are demonized for their difference.

God’s mercy is for everyone, not just for some. (Matthew 5:45b)

Biblical kindness never seeks anything but the best, even for those who seek the worst for us. (Jonah 4:2)

Together, we gave more than

to hurricane relief last week through the United Methodist Committee on Relief.

We Have a Political Problem

The American Psychological Association found that

of Americans felt additional stress due to the 2020 election.

Teachers reported students were so

about the election outcome that they were having

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about it.

We have wonderful members with us today because their small groups at other churches couldn’t meet without

fights.

“Our politics is the way it is because it reflects the desires and allowances of voters.” —Michael Wear, “The Spirit of Our Politics”

If we are not careful and

, we can be driven by the same self-interest, self-protecting motives as other voters.

We are called to “Do justice, love kindness, and walk carefully with our God.” (Micah 6:8)

We learn to walk and live this way through

to Jesus in all of our lives and not just at church.

Too often, when it comes to politics, Christianity is viewed as either

or as something to be used.

A Pew Research study found only

percent of American adults trust the government in Washington to “do the right thing.”

Only

percent believe candidates run for office to serve their communities.

“Politics is causing spiritual harm in this country because Americans are going to politics to get spiritual needs met.” —Michael Wear, CEO of the Center for Christianity and Public Life

Politics

Wherever there are people in community, there will be

.

Politics is about how we live together, and how we make

together: Who gets what, when, and how?

How does my

life represent the love of Jesus to the world? (1 Corinthians 13:4-6)

Political life is an important

, not because of how it makes us look or feel, but because of the dignity of the people affected by political decisions who are children of God who matter to God and therefore to us.

A

vote is for the good of our neighbors informed by scripture, tradition, and our neighbors. (Mark 12:31)

We will never tell our members

to vote for, but we do encourage you to

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responsibly.

The goal at Acts 2 is not political uniformity, but spiritual

.

In all but the rarest of circumstances, there is no

Christian way to vote.

The choices we make in politics are

.

What Do I Look for in a Candidate?

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3. Reveal Answer

Your Spiritual Formation Matters

Spiritual formation is central to

renewal.

It is foolish to think we can be or become a good country without

. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Politics is important, but it’s not

.

A country is only as strong as the

of its people.

MW quote on “not believe things because…”

God’s love for us is the

of our power to love God and to love others. (1 John 3:16-18)

Action Steps

Today, Sunday, Day 16: Speak with optimism and

even when you don’t feel optimistic and respectful.

Monday, Day 15: Use T.H.I.N.K

responding: Is it True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, Kind?

Tuesday, Day 14: Study a sample ballot and research the candidates running in your

.

Wednesday, Day 13: Send a

text or email to a coworker, friend, or classmate.

Thursday, Day 12: Be a non-anxious, and non-manipulative

in politics and public life.

Friday, Day 11: Find someone from a different political party and

them.

Saturday, Day 10: Ask the Holy Spirit to

your life including your

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life.

Next week: How do we become the kind of people our politics needs?