Graceful or Ungraceful? Christianity in Politics

The religious right is enamored with politics and the opportunity to legislate their version morality.

The religious left is enamored with politics and the opportunity to legislate their version social justice.

Both, in my opinion, place their hope in humanity rather than God. In such a context it is not hard to look at "Christianity" and find it lacking. Yesterday, on talk radio, I heard an individual go off on how "The Left" is afraid of Christianity because it has a set of rules God has given us to live by...it is down in black and white.

I cringed. I got irritated. I turned the radio to country music (anything was better than listening to the other.

On the other side, I've read the blogs (including religious ones) either spewing vitriol or making judgment statements toward the faith of Sarah Palin. I had to switch blogs, I could not read them anymore. I started reading the "love fest" the media is having with the ECU Pirates right now.

"When a [person] begins to grow lukewarm, then [they] are afraid of small labor, and willingly receive outward comfort." - Thomas A Kempis

I said it on Sunday, and I believe it holds true, following Jesus, being Christian, is unique in the marketplace. It is not about being fair or being superheroes of goodness. It is not about rules but about amazing, radical, generous grace. Jesus loves us and God redeems despite mistakes. You are accepted, even when you are unacceptable.

What I see at the heart of it all, is the fear of the small labor. It is a fear to get to know your neighbor, to answer the call to step out of one's comfort zone for a time. I wonder if we're really more afraid to offer grace precisely because we're not really sure if we have received it?