Bootstraps, Christian???

We've all heard the phrase, "Pull yourself up by your own bootstraps!" It becomes even more prevalent in election years as candidates vying for votes suggest that such so-called capitalistic thinking is the only way to save our country. It sounds good, doesn't it? The etymology of the phrase however, is one of an impossible circumstance--for no one is able to pull him/herself up by their own bootstraps (shoelaces, that's what bootstraps are). And, the first uttering of the phrase was meant to suggest impossibility--yet, we say it as if it is the very thing that must be done. It is just as impossible for those in an impoverished state to do so, too.

The biggest problem (for me--anyway), is that those who make that suggestion most vehemently are those who identify themselves as strong Christians, with pure, righteous, moral values. The great moral, Conservative Christians on the "right" side of the political aisle. Looking beyond the politics of the situation and back to Scripture, where all Christians claim to base our morality and lives upon, I found that some things didn't quite add up. While the Conservatives are trying to convince the nation to focus on the issues of Israel, homosexuality and abortion, there are some basic principles that are being left behind and ignored. It is impossible to really be proponent of one part of God's Word while rejecting other portions--either we accept all, or we accept none.

There is a focus on "Thou shalt not kill" (Exodus 20:13), as it relates to abortion--or as it is applied. Then, those on the right like "If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them." (Leviticus 20:13). Clearly, that one is a favorite argument against homosexuality and lesbianism. Then, there are multitudes of verses that give credence to the argument that America must support Israel. These are the three major issues of the Republican platform and then, there is immigration and another big one, the economy and how to fix it. Many assume that all Christians should support the Republican agenda--if they are righteous, godly Christians. I don't.

I hate abortion, I believe homosexuality is bad, I think we should support Israel (however, does Christian support of Israel really mean support of natural Israel no matter what they do? And, is it in terms of land? What exactly is scriptural support of Israel?) Immigration--God always took care of immigrants, even under the Mosaic Law. The economy? Well, WWJD? And, again, according to the Law (not just grace), God made provision for all--even "the stranger among you". That's the problem with reading and speaking God's Word without context--you begin to paint a very harsh picture of a merciful and gracious God Who provides and protects--and admonishes us to do the same.

Abortion is ugly--no one enjoys abortion--not a normal person; but desperate situations happen in the lives of women, and they make choices that sometimes they regret later. Even when they don't, the choice is often made because they cannot afford to care for a child at that time. Here's the problem for me--Conservatives want to end abortion and at the same time, end the social programs to care for the children that they would like to force women to have. How can you have it both ways--it would be disastrous? No one thinks about the horrific repercussions about a reversal of Roe vs. Wade--or perhaps they don't care (or remember). Once upon a time, not too long ago before abortions were legal many women died or suffered horribly trying to have illegal abortions in desperate situations. Making abortion illegal won't end abortion; it will be a return to that awful time. The answer to the abortion epidemic is not yelling hate-filled rhetoric at those seeking abortions or damning them and the providers of them to Hell or even reversing Roe vs. Wade. The answer is showing the love of Christ--it's presenting the Gospel--being "the light that is set on a hill". Light illuminates the path to God; it doesn't torture and damn. We spend so much time on the sin that we fail to offer the solution; or if we offer the solution it falls upon deaf ears because our approach has turned hurting hearts to stone (against us). And we wonder why Christians are so hated??? The world doesn't just hate us for the cause of Christ; many times they hate us because we are hateful.

We spend our time arguing with homosexuals and lesbians that they could not be born that way. Well, I'm not so sure about that. You see, once sin happened in the Garden with the first Adam and his wife Eve, not one of us was born perfect. All of us were marked by sin and its effect. Is it God's fault? No, it's sin's fault. But, it is time for us to stop accusing the homosexual of choosing to be who he/she is--it really isn't the issue. The fact that we are born with things that are wrong does not preclude us from correcting those things, though--I was born in sin, too--I couldn't stay that way if I want to see God in peace. No matter what, we all must choose--we all were born sinful; maybe not that particular sin, but still sinful. Gay and lesbian people must experience the love of God and respect from us if we are going to win them to Christ. They are not subhuman; they need Jesus just like heterosexual people--all sin has to be dealt with the same way. It has the same penalty.

We often support Israel, not so much out of care, but out of fear. If we really love and care about Israel, we need to meet their spiritual needs. Supporting them in war efforts against Islamic countries, but not telling them that the Messiah has come, is futile and anything but loving. They are still waiting for a Deliverer--and He came, not to deliver them in a mere earthly manner--but to free them from spiritual death, hell and the grave. They know there is only one God--but they don't know His salvation Name, Jesus. They still remain afraid to write His Name, instead writing G-d, or YHWH, when He is embraced by spiritual Israel as "Abba, Father" (interpreted as Daddy, Papa). Israel remains stuck at terror (fear) rather than reverence and respect. How our hearts should ache for them--spiritually.

Conservatives would like to erect a wall around these United States and keep out everyone who is not like them. If you speak a different language, or you look different, have different customs the goal is to keep you out. They forget that 99.9% of us were/are immigrants--some came willingly, some came in chains--but we are all immigrants. The only group of us that aren't are Native Americans, and they have been all but stripped of their land, their resources, and their rights. They are among the poorest of our nation, forced onto reservations, where alcoholism is staggering and poverty is insurmountable. Immigrants in the 21st century come to America looking for the same opportunities as immigrants of the previous centuries--but, many don't want to extend that welcome to today's immigrants, as it was extended to them at Ellis Island and other ports of entry into the United States. In the Word of God, not only did Jesus minister to those without Judaism--(and took much grief for it, mind you) but God, in the Old Testament set laws in place to provide for the care of the immigrant "stranger" of that ancient day. When the children of Israel harvested their fields, they were commanded to leave the corners unharvested for the poor, hungry, stranger that might be in their midst so that they, too could survive. Nowhere in Scripture does God say they are to make their own way. If He had, Ruth may not have met and married Boaz, and became the grandparents of David through which we have the natural lineage of our Savior Jesus Christ. Thank God, for His perfect plan to provide for all--we don't know how our willingness to help someone in need could change the course of the world.

Lastly, the big issue is the economy. Republican Conservatives would have us believe that if they don't take over, there will be no hope for America. Their idea of fixing things is ending or at least greatly reducing the amount of money that goes into social programs, ending health care for everyone--which should be a right in a nation as great as America, and giving tax breaks to those who need them least. It all sounds so very Pharisaical to me. Jesus said, "They tie up heavy loads, hard to bear, and place them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves will not lift a finger to help bear them...Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, pretenders (hypocrites)! For you swallow up widows’ houses and for a pretense to cover it up make long prayers; therefore you will receive the greater condemnation and the heavier sentence...Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, pretenders (hypocrites)! For you give a tenth of your mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected and omitted the weightier (more important) matters of the Law—right and justice and mercy and fidelity. These you ought [particularly] to have done, without neglecting the others." (Matthew 23:4,14,23 AMP)  

We cannot call ourselves Christians and not put the needs of others ahead of our own desires. In Matthew 25, Jesus is very clear about those who choose to neglect the care of those less fortunate...   "Then He will say to those at His left hand, Begone from Me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels!

For I was hungry and you gave Me no food, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink,

I was a stranger and you did not welcome Me and entertain Me, I was naked and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not visit Me with help and ministering care.

Then they also [in their turn] will answer, Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?

And He will reply to them, Solemnly I declare to you, in so far as you failed to do it for the least [in the estimation of men] of these, you failed to do it for Me.

Then they will go away into eternal punishment, but those who are just and upright and in right standing with God into eternal life." . 

You decide.