I apologize if the title of this post feels like click bate.
For clarity, I’m not at all interested in talking about politics. I am also not
writing this to intentionally upset anyone. What I’d like to talk about is
Christians, our response to authority we don’t agree with, and Biblical
examples of what that behavior should be.
To put it a different way, I’d like Christians to agree that
saying things like “Let’s go, Brandon” is not Christian behavior.
Before you burn up your keyboards telling me that this is America
and you get to say what you want, allow me to explain a bit. You are correct.
This is America (or, more accurately, I’m writing this in America and you’re
probably reading this in America). You absolutely have the freedom to say what you
want to say. But, as a Christian, your words and actions should conform to the
likeness of Christ. We are supposed to be Christ-like, after all.
Ah, but maybe you’re thinking to yourself that Jesus never
had to deal with Joe Biden. What would a Jewish man living under Roman rule
know about having his freedoms taken away? And how would he respond if he had
to deal with being oppressed?
Fortunately, we have a written record of exactly that. When
Jesus was arrested, tried in an illegal court, and then executed, how did he
respond? Did he complain about his rights? Did he lash out at his attackers?
Did he send down the armies of heaven to destroy his enemies? No. He forgave
them (Luke 23:34). Let that sink in. He forgave the people who murdered him.
Okay, sure. That’s Jesus though. You’re not Jesus. That example clearly isn’t
fair.
What about an honest man (a warrior no less!) whose king is
actively trying to kill him? Clearly, that’s a better example. That’s a man we
can relate to. That’s a man who would fight for his rights and denounce that unjust
government. Right? Can I get an amen?
Except that David (the soon-to-be king of Israel and a man
after God’s own heart) would not give you that amen. He would give you a stern
talking to. The story of King Saul and David’s relationship takes up a good
part of 1 Samuel. In broad strokes, David was a young man who became a famous
warrior. King Saul became jealous of David and tried to kill him. So David ran
away. Some time later, David and his men are hiding in a cave. King Saul comes into
the cave to relieve himself. David’s men see this as a divinely appointed
moment for David to kill King Saul. David sneaks up on Saul and cuts a corner of
his robe off. David felt guilty for cutting the robe and “sharply rebuked” his men
who suggested that he hurt King Saul. You can read the whole thing in 1 Samuel
24.
What I really want you to see here is how a man after God’s
own heart responded to unjust authority. King Saul was a bad king. He was
actively trying to kill David. But David would not harm him because Saul was
the king.
There are numerous examples like this in the Bible. Daniel
in exile. Elijah and King Ahab. The angel Michael and Satan himself (Jude 1:9
if you’re curious). Time after time, godly people respond to unjust authority
with respect and, when necessary, respectful disobedience. What you won’t find
is godly people responding to unjust authority with childish taunts or
disrespect.
Quips like “Let’s go Brandon” or “Tuck Frump” should not
come out of the mouths or keyboards of Christians. It is beneath you, and it is
cause for repentance.
From Paul: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh
words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.” Ephesians
4:31
From Jesus: “The good person out of the good treasure of his
heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth
speaks.” Luke 6:45
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