The Gospel hope of unity in the face of the vitriol and sectarian violence that marks our day.

The news this week has been nothing short of tragic.  Video surfaced of a young refugee senselessly murdered while onlookers did nothing, A prominent young voice in conservative politics was assassinated while speaking at a college campus, and yet another school shooting has left children dead and wounded by one of their own.   Needless to say, it’s been a hard week.

Yet, what grieves me just as much as these tragedies is how so many of us have used one or more of these events as a means to justify hating our neighbor.  I get why that is, at least from the broader public – it’s easier to make sense of the senseless when we’ve got someone to blame – an outlet for our anger and frustration. But sadly, there are also many who claim to have experienced the saving, forgiving grace of Jesus Christ, yet seem as guilty of the neighbor-hating vitriol as the rest.  Brothers, this should not be!

But by the Grace of God…

“Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” 

Matthew 18:23-35, NASB1995

Division, scapegoating and hatred are nothing new.  In fact, the stories of Adam and Eve’s fall and that of their sons, Cain and Abel, reminds us that these problems are almost as old as time itself.  Perhaps, to some degree, we shouldn’t be surprised, then.  But that doesn’t mean such occurrences shouldn’t deeply grieve us. When we see others hurt – especially in such horrific way, it should move us deeply – even to the point of Godly anger – but never to the point where we lose sight of the amazing, lavish and utterly undeserved grace of the Gospel.  

It’s so easy to fall into the trap of outrage and condemnation – to focus our anger not merely on the heinous act, not just on the wicked perpetrator, but upon all those on the opposite side of the aisle from us, whatever the ideological divide.  Again and again in the last 24 hours, this same tired formula has played out – tragedy strikes, we form into our ideological battle lines, and go to war, looking for the choicest extreme responses from our enemies as fodder to justify our own volleys of hatred-filled salvos, directed at the strawmen we have made our opponents out to be – giving into the very sin that we condemn – the very sin that self-perpetuates the hatred and violence that has plagued our country – the very sin that is our most deadly of enemies.   

Christians, why do we partake in such deadly games?  Is it not because, like the ungrateful servant (Matthew 18:21-35), we have forgotten just how much we are forgiven?  Is it that we have forgotten that every ounce of good we ever experience or ever do is a gift of God’s grace we do not deserve and could never earn (1 Corinthians 4:7, James 1:17)?  Do we forget that but by the grace of God, we too would be the murder, the assassin, the school shooter, or even worse (Ephesians 2:1-10)?  

Who do I Weep With?

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” 

Romans 12:14-21, NASB1995  

Almost entirely forgotten in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s murder is the reality that this is actually the second political assassination within the last three months. In June, Democratic state politician Melissa Hortman was murdered in Minnesota and state lawmaker John Hoffman was wounded – the first two victims of the 70 politicians, abortionists and healthcare officials who the assailant planned to murder.  

Indeed, in both the case of Kirk and Hortman, there has been widespread condemnation of these killing across the political spectrum, but if I’m honest, these two murders did not carry the same weight for me – and it seems that’s largely true for most Americans.  Setting aside the hateful, hurtful comments of a relative few on the extremes (in both instances), it’s still clear that, almost by default, the weight of our grief, even in the church, depends largely on the political persuasion of the victim. We’re tempted to try to rank which murder was worse. But according to Romans 12:14f, this simply should not be.  When our opponent or even our enemy hurts, as Christians, we should turn our eyes first and foremost to the cross upon which Jesus not only wept for His enemies but died for them, and then second, turn to our enemy in love.      

Yes, it’s true that we will naturally grieve more for those who we feel closer to – those with whom we felt a deeper connection.  As a child of the 80’s and 90’s, I remember the pang of hearing of Kurt Cobain’s death, and the familiar feeling again, less than three years later, when Tupac Shakur was murdered.  But for my friends who were not, like me, into both alternative and rap, Tupac’s death was barely a blip on the radar.  In their minds, it was just some guy who got shot. And that’s if it even registered at all.  But, when it came to Kurt, it hit us all really hard.  I still have this freeze frame in my memory of our classmates sitting around the table in our middle school lunchroom when we heard the news.  We were devastated.    

For many, especially young Christian conservatives, the news of Charlie Kirk’s assassination has been equally seismic.  It’s earth-shaking to see a person you deeply admire, who you can identify with, struck down at such an early age.  Not unlike the heartwrenching story of Iryna Zarutska, there is something so visceral and in your face about these sorts of murders that leave us feeling powerless and vulnerable. 

Enemy Love Fueled by Heavenly Hope

“but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.” 

1 Peter 3:15-17, NASB1995  

But as Christians, the high calling of the Gospel calls us to a powerful vulnerability – one that embraces our enemies when they are down – one that sits with them in their grief and seeks their comfort and restoration, even at great cost to ourselves.  

This summer, there was a shining example of such Gospel love in the actions of Cara Northington, mother of Xana Kernodle, one of four college students from the University of Idaho that were senselessly murdered.  At the killer’s sentencing, Cara publicly forgave the young man for taking her daughter’s life.  He was not repentant.  He showed no indications of remorse or sorrow.  Yet, in that moment, as she pointed to the amazing grace of God in her own life, she stepped out in faith and love to forgive him for his wicked deeds.  It is this sort of love – a love that looks at the sins of others through the lens of our own sins before a holy God – and in turn responds to evil with love and compassion – which this world simply has no answer for.  

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” 

Romans 8:28-39, NASB1995  

It is this love that points our dark and self-obsessed world to a reality beyond the sectarian divides of our culture. But this love doesn’t come out of nowhere. It is deeply rooted in both the cross of Christ, itself, and the lavishly over-the-top promises that the cross purchased for all who would believe. And so, when we forgive, we are resting in the sovereign goodness of God to work all things to our good (Romans 8:28), and to give us, in God’s perfect timing, all the things we need (Romans 8:32), and to bring each and every true Christian safely home to glory (Romans 8:29-30). And, as we see in Romans 8:36,38, our greatest enemy, death itself, has become our servant through the atoning work of Jesus Christ, our Lord!

But Where’s the Justice?

“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.” 

Romans 13:1-4, NASB1995  

But before we conclude, I need to be careful here.  I don’t want you to hear what I’m not saying.  I’m not suggesting that our willingness to love and forgive means we do not seek earthly or even eternal justice.  We are commanded to seek justice (Isa 1:17). It is right to want to see those who take innocent lives brought to justice.  In fact, as we see above, it is the responsibility of the government to rightly punish evil and reward good. 

Love and justice are one of those both-ands of Scripture.  Both are true, and both are good – each in its own place.  So, when we see the wickedness and darkness of our world, it should cause us to yearn for God’s perfect justice, and to be thankful when, though imperfect, temporal justice is upheld through the God-appointed means of earthly authorities.  Notwithstanding, as followers of Jesus, who himself died for His enemies, we should also be willing and eager to forgive, and to seek the good of even our most bitter of enemies – and especially their eternal good – remembering that the reason our roles are not reversed is solely by the grace of God in our lives.  

So, for example, If I’m on the highway and a person blows by me in the breakdown lane going 100 mph and nearly causes a wreck, it is not wrong for me to desire for them to be caught or to be appropriately angry that they are endangering the lives of others, nor is it evil of me to be thankful when I see them pulled over a few miles down the road.  But if it stops there, or if I allow myself a sort of self-righteous, cocky joy that they got theirs, and I am not moved to pray that the Lord would use this consequence to draw the driver to repentance and, if they are not yet a believe, draw them to faith, then I am not being faithful to the Gospel.  

Friends, if we belong to Jesus, all our sins have been forgiven.  Today alone, we have done far more offense to the glory of God than anyone has done to us in our entire lifetime.  We will only be forgiving, enemy-loving people to the degree that we know and embrace both the wretched weight of our sin, and the glorious grace of the cross.  It is these truths that transform us. It is these truths that in the darkest of days point to a Savior who will not let us down, “though goods and kindred go, this mortal life also”.  It is this central reality of the amazing grace of the Gospel and the promise that God will vouch us safely home, that allows us to love our enemies with with reckless abandon, entrusting both our souls, and theirs, to our faithful Creator.

May the Lord be pleased to grant to us all the grace to see others through the lens of the Gospel, that He might mend our wounds and draw our country afresh to our Savior’s feet. To Him be the glory now and forevermore!

---

Want to explore the more on the intersection of Christianity, politics and the public square? Consider reading one of these past articles from The Two Books :