Jesus Is Apolitical

To all my political friends I feel compelled to write a brief clarification as to the political leanings of our savior. Too often both liberal and conservatives find it necessary to illicit teachings from the bible, specifically the words of Jesus, to give strength or justification, for their political ideologies. It soothes their conscience in some way. Jesus, however, was not conservative, he was revolutionary, and he wasn't liberal, but rather liberating. The following are ten things Jesus would say to all who would use his name in the vanity of political discourse.

To the conservative: obey the governing authorities and render to Caesar what is Caesars.  Taxes pay for the governing of our society.

To the Liberal: do not take more then what is necessary for good government. 

To the conservative: feed the poor, stand for the oppressed, look after the widow in her distress. Treat your employees as brothers knowing you have a master over you.

To the liberal: if you don't work, you don't eat, and be satisfied with the wage you for which you have agreed to work.

To the conservative: do not judge for there is but one judge who is over all, instead love one another.

To the liberal: tolerance and grace doesn't mean acceptance. Be holy as I am holy, go and sin no more.

To the conservative: wage peace, for my kingdom is not of this world. Our battle is not with flesh and blood.

To the Liberal: governments exist to wield the sword of justice, establish the rule of law and sometimes that might mean war.

To the conservative: it is difficult for the wealthy to enter into the kingdom of God, and God's blessing is his opportunity for generosity

To the Liberal: accumulation of wealth is not evil, but the of it. God never condemns the wealthy or asks him to redistribute his wealth. The poor will always be with us.

To the conservative: love your enemies, do good to those who persecute you.

To the Liberal: love your enemies, do good to those who persecute you.

To the conservative: Extend mercy those who have made mistakes and need help.

To the Liberal: all life is sacred, don't sacrifice babies on the alter of convenience.

To the conservative: put your money where your mouth is.

To the Liberal: put your actions where your mouth is.

To the conservative: the blessing of God is not evidenced in the abundance of material possessions.

To the Liberal: God's blessing doesn't rest on the poor for poverty's sake.

To the conservative: the chief end of man is to glorify God.

To the Liberal: the chief end of man is to glorify God.

I can hear both liberal and conservative say that this does not reflect what they believe. But I have heard both judge each other with the accusation the above address.  We love to label each other and for most Christians the labels liberal or conservative doesn't adequately describe them. Followers of Jesus find themselves agreeing with different aspects of political ideologies where they describe a clear Christian world view, and should reject tenets of either when they don't.  

What is important is that we allow Jesus to guide each decision we make instead of manipulating his teachings to justify our political ideologies. I'm just saying...