It's that guy's fault!

Have you ever heard a political debate? Maybe you're not that into politics, but if you ever listen to the radio, or watch the news or forget to hit the mute button during TV commercials you've heard one political party talking about another political party. More than likely, they are making their opponent sound like the prince of darkness himself.

But smear campaigns, unfortunately, are not reserved only for politics. Go to the water cooler at work, sit in your friend's living room, or even stand in the foyer of your church, and you'll likely hear someone talking about how some problem is someone else's fault, and that someone needs to be called out and fix the problem. Oftentimes Christians are called judgemental, bigoted and self-righteous, because we have participated in this kind of talk ourselves. And it's often blamed on our religion: We claim to be such moral and upright people, and look down on others who don't make the cut.

I'd like to submit that this type of attitude is shown only by those people who haven't really understood the gospel. The gospel primarily tells me that God loves me infinitely. Secondarily, it tells me that I'm a wretched sinner. So I'm a part of the problem, yet I'm still loved and can do nothing to lose that love. When I recognize that I'm part of the problem I quit my immature smear campaigns, because the finger needs to be pointed, at least partially, at me. When I recognize God loves me I can then move on from my sin without shame and guilt destroying me.

So what happens to my politics when I apply the gospel to my life? Do I immediately join the right wing? Not necessarily. Dave, are you a liberal!? That's not what I'm saying. What happens when you understand the gospel is you GET INVOLVED, and become part of the solution. Knowing you're part of the problem, yet infinitely loved is the best motivator there is to take action to make things better. This doesn't only apply to politics. When there's a problem at work, or in my marriage, or with my (future) kids, I need to get my hands dirty as a part of the solution.

Jesus is the only person ever who wasn't part of the problem; yet, he was willing to get dirtier than us all to be part of the solution. How much more should we recognize the need to get involved? In our church. With out family. At our work. At the polls. Wherever.