Five-Letter Names
A Quick Test of the True Church
Originally published April 2023
Quick question: Which of the following well-known 5-letter names means the most to the church?
Trump?
Biden?
Jesus?
I think we all agree on what the answer should be, but how do we determine what the answer actually is?
How about this? Pastors, do your congregations seem to talk and post more about either of the first two names on social media, especially regarding their hope, or fear, for the future?
Parents, would your children say that it matters more to their faith what Trump does, what Biden does, or what Jesus does, based on what you are teaching and modeling to them?
Please note I am not saying that people should not have opinions about politics, and it is perfectly fine to discuss and share your perspectives. What I am asking is if your faith is preoccupied with the activity of one of these five-letter names.
Because, honestly, to me, it seems the media and society are latched on to how the “church” feels about, and follows, T-R-U-M-P or B-I-D-E-N more than J-E-S-U-S. Professing Christians feed this twisted and warped view of the faith when they make judgments about whether someone is a Christian or not by their loyalty to Trump or Biden. It’s crazy! The loyalty to Jesus is what matters, and that is not demonstrated in voting patterns, but in the fruit of the Spirit.
So, here is an idea. A challenge. What if we went one week, one month, or any set period of time, tying evidence of sincere Christian faith only to how we relate to Jesus, and not to Trump or Biden?
Some argue that standing up for Trump or Biden is a sign of devotion because someone is willing to take a stand for truth. They contend it is a demonstration of their conviction to Christian ideals or Biblical principles. But we know better!
We know what Jesus taught. Love for enemies is what makes a believer different. The fruit of the Spirit, being patient and kind and gentle, toward others, is the way to live by Christ. Showing the next generation that love drives out fear, and that our eternal destiny is not tied to what we mark on a ballot, could be a place to start.
Pastor, parent, churchgoer…perhaps this week make it a point to spend more time reading, reflecting, listening, praying, and talking about Jesus than those other five-letter names.
Maybe you will learn something and draw closer to Jesus.
Maybe you will see and treat your opponents differently.
Maybe you will be less fearful and combative and stressed.
Maybe it’s worth a try.
J
E
S
U
S
Five letters. That’s all.
I totally agree that the focus should be on JESUS. It is ultimately futile to dismiss The other two names.
I was talking to someone close to me about their political persuasion, and they replied that they just chose the one that was closer to biblical principles. I said, that’s interesting, that’s exactly what I’m doing. Of course we were on different sides.