If Not Republican or Democrat, then Who?

As I continue to ponder and pray about our upcoming election, I realize more and more the greatness of God. Last week, God allowed me to be part of a meaningful conversation, and I want to share that conversation and my response with you. While neither side was correct, listening to the conversation gave me understanding that I hope results in wisdom from above. I hope once you read this story, the Lord may grant you understanding leading to wisdom as well.

Here we go!

At the end of last week, I entered a conversation with three other men. Please forgive me if you do not like it when others identify people by the color of their skin, but sometimes context matters. The other men are white, profess Christ as Savior, and live in North Macon. One is a Democrat, and two are Republicans. I know this sounds like the beginning of a bad joke (lol).

In the conversation, the Democrat was promoting his support of former Vice President Biden. Of course, the Republicans responded with, "You support abortion!" While the Democrat did not deny his consent of abortion, he did make a great point and then posed a very pressing question. His point was that a significant portion of abortions in America take place in poverty-stricken communities. If abortion is illegal, the child is born into the same poverty cycle as their parents and grandparents. His point was to abort the child to keep them from the poverty cycle. Of course, we know this is the wrong answer.

Both Republicans rightly said, "It's murder. How could you allow that to happen?" Here is the pressing question posed by the Democrat, "Okay, what are your solutions for breaking the poverty cycle when the child comes into the world?" Neither Republican had a good response. In fact, one of them said, "they are on their own when they get into the world. When they reach the age of responsibility, they need to make better decisions." Their response breaks my heart. "Make better decisions," is this thought even possible? Is this thought loving our neighbor as ourselves? Is this thought grounded in the gospel? No! While the Bible does teach personal responsibility, the reality is that our experiences (especially in our younger years) shape us more than we know. So, the Democrat's question is a very pressing question for all Christians.

Replying to the Republican's response of "make better decisions," the Democrat rightly said, "That's been your response, and it's not working." That is true; it's not working. No matter how much money we spend or how many social programs we institute, the poverty cycle continues for too many. Every day, many of the children who escape abortion are born into one-parent homes where that parent is doing their best to make ends meet and where the parent is highly dependent on the government to make ends meet. The Democrat continued to press the Republicans by saying, "All you North Macon people want to do is give your annual donation to some pregnancy crisis center. However, you do not want to help people once they are born."

As the Republicans became increasingly frustrated, they asked the Democrat for his solutions, and he replied, "Don't let them come into the world." This answer also breaks my heart. Almost one million unborn children are aborted each year in the United States. They never have a chance to break the poverty cycle.

My response:
Both sides are wrong, and neither side is grounded in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am thankful God did not look into the future and see that I would be a needy, self-centered sinner, without hope, and keep me from coming into the world. At the same time, once I was born, I am thankful Jesus did not tell me to pull up my bootstraps, do more, do better, and to "make better decisions." No, Jesus came to the earth proclaiming the Kingdom of God was at hand, and he entered the messiness of people's lives. He engaged people with the good news, and he loved people. We know this is true because he lived a perfect life we could not live. He died a sacrificial death that we deserved, and three days later, he rose from the dead, defeating sin, death, and Satan. He did not tell people to "make better decisions;" instead, he told them to believe the gospel. What we believe about God and what he has done for us through the cross of Jesus shapes how we live. The gospel reminds us that we too, were once needy and broken, but now, through faith in the gospel, we are a new creation with new desires.  In Christ, our decisions are better. Our decisions, while still not perfect, are for the good of others and the glory of God. If God did this for you, can he do it for others? Absolutely!

So, what then is the solution? I hope this conversation shows us that while our vote is important, it is not what is ultimately important. We know from history the government cannot break the poverty cycle. The government has passed laws and implemented many beneficial policies that have provided needed help to many people. Democrats continue to push for more social programs, and Republicans continue to push for the provision of opportunities and personal responsibility. Neither is wrong. However, it is not hard to see that the poverty cycle continues to this day. The government cannot fix this broken country.

But, Jesus can, through his Church (us-the people).  Unfortunately, for far too long, just like the three men in my story, the Church has run from poverty-stricken communities searching for safety and comfort. The Church has failed to enter the messiness of people's lives like Jesus did and does. Over the years, instead of making disciples of Jesus, the Church has taken no responsibility by either ignoring the needy or merely trying to change the needy person's behavior. This has not worked either.

It does not have to be this way. At New City Church, our mission is to help people live in light of the gospel, and our vision is to see the gospel transform everything within our reach. We accomplish both our mission and vision by saturating our surrounding neighborhoods with Missional Communities. Our Missional Communities live out three gospel identities: Family, Missionary, and Servant. As a family, we care for one another. As missionaries, we invite people to become part of the family of God by proclaiming the gospel and teaching them what it means to follow Jesus. As servants, we show the love of Jesus by serving those in our community. The mission, vision, and strategies of New City Church have given us a marvelous way to enter people's lives, meet them where they are, and see the gospel change them forever. We long for Jesus to return and complete his work of redemption and restoration. However, until then, we believe living out our gospel identities in our communities (and throughout the world) will bring the most effective change.

So, vote for whichever candidate you think brings the most good to all people. However, I hope by reading this story, you remember it is only the gospel proclaimed by the Church that brings meaningful and lasting change in our communities and around the world. The three men in my story did not want to take on any responsibility. They either wanted the government or the individual to fix the issue. No government or individual can do what God can do through his Church and WE are the Church - you, me, us! We are responsible for declaring the gospel. We are responsible for displaying the gospel. We are responsible for living out our part in God's plan of redemption and restoration. To do this, we will have to enter the messiness of people's lives, sharing the gospel and sharing life as we walk together. The mission, vision, and strategies of New City Church make this overwhelming responsibility achievable.

I hope this writing helps us to better bear with one another's differing political views and unites us in what matters most – the gospel.