"So, how is it going with the bullies?" This is the question I've been asked the most since my new book came out. People automatically associate extreme Trumpism and Christian Nationalism with bullying behaviors, and they are not wrong. Trump is a bully, and unfortunately his spirit is contagious.
Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” (1 Corinthians 15:33)
I'm committed to telling the truth about our former president and his crimes, and, as you're probably aware, some people don't like that. I write in The Judas Effect: How Evangelicals Betrayed Jesus for Power that people defend bullies either because they are one themselves, or they like the power that proximity to the bully provides them. It should go without saying that partnering with a bully / criminal does nothing to advance the gospel or bring to heaven to earth, in fact, it has the reverse effect.
God showed me this amazing scene in Galatians that has really been helping me deal with bullies, so I thought I would pass it along in case any of y'all could benefit. Here's the situation: Paul was visiting the church at Galatia to warn them about false teachers coming in who would try to bewitch them into following - wait for it - a different gospel. (This ought to be sounding vaguely familiar by now.)
"But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!" (Galatians 1:8-9)
In case you're wondering where I'm going with this, Christian Nationalism is a variant gospel, and Donald Trump is it's current mascot. Anyhoo, in Paul's day when this stuff was happening, it angered Paul to such a degree that he called down a curse on them! He calls them, "agitators," because they are going around stirring everyone up with this false variant gospel, poking and prodding people who refuse to go along with it. Paul's answer to this harassment is the verse I keep in mind when I am speaking truth, and someone - an agitator - keeps pestering me in an effort to shut me up.
"You were running superbly! Who cut in on you, deflecting you from the true course of obedience? This detour doesn’t come from the One who called you into the race in the first place." (Galatians 5:7, The Message)
Me, running my first - and last - half-marathon to benefit an orphanage in India. (My kids came out to encourage me at the end!)
If you are one of the many who have been called to challenge, urge, and warn the church away from a false leader and variant gospel, you are running superbly! Don't let anyone cut in on you and deflect you from your course. Keep running your race, the one you have been called to, and leave the agitators to the Master. Block em, mute 'em, do what you have to do. (Be polite!) But don't stop running your race or speaking truth! After a while, you'll get to where harassment only makes you run stronger.
Agitators are gonna agitate. Bullies can become enslaved to the bully they defend. But you, my child, are called to be free.
Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you. (Galatians 5:1)
So live free, run free and speak free, animated and motivated by God's Holy Spirit. (Galatians 5:16) You're not alone. You are running superbly. Keep going!
Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. (Hebrews 12:1-3)
Like Christ, we will have to put up with some agitators along the way. Go around them. Don't let them stop you. Stay on course.
Running alongside you toward an exhilarating finish,
Amy
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