People who live in a world of dark fearful unreality invented by liars may eventually become part of great evil. Here I am thinking of a diminishing QAnon or even a large segment of MAGA. If refugees who are not criminals can be torn away from family, sometimes beaten, held in terrible conditions and members of these two groups, QAnon and MAGA, can find excuses or even applaud, they have lost at least a part of their humanity.
The same can be said of Christian Nationalism whose unreality is the loss of the biblical understanding of living under the cross rather than seeking worldly power. I read a statement by a member of X who had begun to form this question about those who were yielding to untruthful concepts.
Pastor Darrell Stetler states and asks:
“My opposition to Christian nationalism in the form in which it is promoted by some circles is NOT a resistance to Christian principles in public spheres, or to the Kingdom of Christ coming to earth. It is because of the persons who would be implementing it. This week, I was called "Anti-Christ" by one of its proponents for my view. Imagine, if you will, what would be done by that person to people like me if they had the authority to implement their views. Then imagine what would happen to you when you (inevitably) disagreed.”
Those are questions rattling around in my heart and mind lately. I was once, when in the PC (USA) writing about their antisemitism and the LGBT community’s insistence on changing the denomination’s adherence to biblical standards on marriage, accused of hatred. I never hated and still do not. Now I am being accused of hateful speech because I am writing and posting about the mistreatment of refugees. And I feel somewhat like Stetler; the question needs to be asked- if all of these people living in their unrealities become the leaders, and many of them are already, what will finally be their treatment toward those who disagree.
I have already written a great deal about MAGA people who consider themselves prophets and supposedly with God speaking through them are
prophesying prison and death for many who disagree with both Trump and his followers.
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But here is my greatest concern, that those who have followed Jesus for so long and have been faithful are being seduced by the lies and that this is changing them pulling them away from their faithfulness. Pulling them away from truthfulness and I am concerned, too soon from the One who is Truth. The many leaders, including religious leaders, who are telling lies to God’s people, either political lies or religious lies, are hurting God’s people, hurting the sheep of His pasture.
To keep walking amid darkness is soul deadening. Some have already found imaginary enemies to hate and desire their death or imprisonment. Some are imagining enemies who control the world and are forgetting the real enemy of their soul that goes about seeking the destruction of their soul and the destruction of the Church. God has a command in His word about the conspiracies circulating in Isaiah’s day:
“You are not to say it is a conspiracy! In regard to all that this people call a conspiracy. And you are not to fear what they fear or be in dread of it. It is the Lord of Hosts whom you should regard as holy. And He shall be your fear, and He shall be your dread. And He shall become a sanctuary.” (Isaiah 8:12-a14)
Isaiah goes on to speak of God’s judgement on Israel but finally in verse 9:2 is the promise of light—the true light. “The people that walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them.” This is the light that we need now and our walk in that light does not include harassing and hurting strangers. It does include speaking the truth, both of His gospel of salvation and its effect on our love and care for others.
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