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What Would Jesus Do?

             For such is the will of God, that by doing right you silence the ignorance of foolish people. Act as free people, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bond-servants of God. (1 Peter 2:15-16)

Before it was even declared that Mr. Trump had won the presidency in 2016, people were calling for his resignation and impeachment. Even before it was even declared that Mr. Biden won the presidency in 2020, people were calling for his resignation, impeachment, or removal based on the 25th Amendment. The clamor and hatred toward both men continues. Throughout the pandemic, people have been standing up for their rights and freedoms as Americans. And people who claim to be Christians have joined in the battle on both sides, employing or condoning words and behavior that leads me to ask, “What would Jesus do?”

Would He applaud, “Let’s go, Brandon,” knowing what led to the slogan? Would He approve of declaring all white people to be prejudiced and incapable of overcoming that unforgivable sin? What would He tell us to do in this situation?

Love our enemies and pray for those who persecute you?  (Matthew 5:43-48)

Pray …for kings and all who are in authority (I Timothy 2:1-4)

Doing right…use your freedom…as bondservants of God (I Peter 2:15-16)

Letting no unwholesome words come out of your mouths (Ephesians 4:29)

applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness,  and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. (II Peter 1:5-7)

Do all things without complaining or arguments; (Philippians 2:14)

To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, loving, compassionate, and humble; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you would inherit a blessing…But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you [g]are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be in dread, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who disparage your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. (I Peter 3:8-9 & 14-16)

And, of course…

            Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against [a]flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With every prayer and request, [d]pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, [e]be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the[saints… (Ephesians 6:10-18)

          Meaning that the person who doesn’t agree with you is not your enemy – what they believe is. 

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