Philosopher Alan Watts once explained, “The Judeo-Christian idea of salvation is exactly that, the communion of saints and acceptance into a community.”
For centuries, the church was the identity of many. Individuals found community in the body of Christ, laid on a foundation of love and absolute forgiveness. Of course, this is an idealistic notion of how the church body functions, but whether or not Christians are actually willing to forgive one another as Christ did does not change the fact that, theologically, his death pays the price for all sins.
The biggest complaint I have encountered when discussing my faith with others is that Christians are only willing to forgive as much as they need to be forgiven themselves. I’m not perfect, but I knew when I accepted God’s eternal grace for myself, I would be a hypocrite not to offer that same grace to others, regardless of theological differences.
How are we supposed to show others the love of Christ if it just exists as an idea and no one is willing to take on Christ’s identity?
We all fall short of the glory of God. Christians believe not only that everyone is imperfect, but according to James 2:10: “Whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.” No Christian should think themselves holier than another, even the unsaved. This was the subject of President Abraham Lincoln’s Temperance Address before the Springfield Washington Temperance Society in 1842.
Addressing thousands of alcohol abstinence activists — many of whom were survivors of intoxicated outbursts —Lincoln warned that they bear in mind their own approachability. Offering the maxim, “A drop of honey catches more flies than a gallon of gall,” he wisely advised supporters that, for the sake of their cause, they befriend those who fell away instead of turning their noses to them. Otherwise, how could the reformed re-enter a society of traditional values when they were made to feel unwelcome?
Sadly, conservatives tend to assume our own dominance in the country, laughing at those who dissent and move to the Left or think differently than us. It was this arrogance that let the Fabian socialists grow right under our noses, consuming academia and resulting in a new generation of radical progressives. Now the conservative principles that made this country great are attacked in the classroom. Students are ridiculed for their faith in the same way we once derided those who fell from theirs.
These days, with everyone staring at their phones and living in their own world, it seems nearly criminal to be happy and smile at a passerby. We need to learn to trust each other again by inviting those around us to share in a common identity. For example, license plates in my home state of Massachusetts boast “the Spirit of America.” This is something we must revive.
Working against this common community is identity politics — the idea that we can never fully trust and forgive another person if they don’t have the same labels that we do. The result is tribalism, and these days people feel like they can’t say anything because they’re afraid to be accused, attacked, or condemned. The unspoken result of all this is that suicide, depression, and anxiety are on the rise as people don’t know if they will be genuinely accepted.
If that is the result of politics today, something has to change. I’m not interested in living in a country like that and certainly don’t want to build a political brand based on anything besides a foundation of love.
Some might find it profitable to be a reactionary, but without those who are willing to establish a positive brand, regardless of its popularity, the only value the Left will see is hate. Engaging others with a spirit of humility and nonjudgment is the only way that we will reach our peers that have devoted their lives to fundamentally changing the presuppositions of this country.
Whether leading a club on campus, or personally engaging with professors, deciding the role you will take and acting with consistency is critical. Consider your strengths and weaknesses and ask yourself: How can I best serve this movement?
We must create a movement founded in principle, but open to accepting others. If we’re not inviting, no one will join us.
