Hating Fascism
Posted by: James in Culture, Thoughts on Community, Authority Relationships, PoliticsI have been having trouble of late with the government. I had a rental property get reassessed at triple the value I paid for it only two years ago. I have been battling with a non-communicative zoning department over a small problem that could have been solved quickly with just a little more communication. The result? I ended up with a $200 ticket.
When I fly I get frustrated with the rights that are ignored and fractured in the name of alleged safety. As I think about one day opening a restaurant I fear and worry over the huge numbers of regulations that face me in the process- fearing that small infraction (or an overzealous inspector or other authority) that could be seized as an opportunity to overturn all the work that had gone into that business endeavor.
And this frustrates me beyond belief. In other contexts, talking to others in formal and informal counseling situations I’ve said that frustration is often (always?) a sign of our own sin rather than a right response to the sins of others. Yes, there is a righteous anger at tyranny, but even within a tyrannical system we are to respond in love.
Last week I posted a link to a site where you can adopt a terrorist for prayer, quoting Jesus’ words about how we are to respond to those who persecute us. Those who hate us. Our enemies.
Saturday I realized more clearly how deep my frustration and bitterness runs towards tyranny and fascism. And Sunday morning during prayer time in worship I realized how hard my heart is towards those who practice it. And I repented of it and prayed (and must continue to pray) that God would soften my heart towards fascist, tyrannical, persecuting people. I prayed that God would help me to love my enemies.
That’s what Jesus wants me to do. Certainly I should not grow tired of speaking out against tyranny and fascism. Certainly I should do whatever is in my power to stem the tide of such evils. Certainly I should beseech God to come in power to end the merciless injustice that follows in the wake of tyranny.
But.
But my response to those who practice the evil must be love. It must be to pray for them. It must be to bless the curser and to overcome the evil with good. And maybe then instead of frustrated outbursts of hating fascists I may see, by God’s grace, a hatred for evil that is punctuated by a love and prayer and what is lovely in the sight of all men.
This may change nothing but me. But it may produce more joy in what little suffering I’ve been asked to endure. And so today I ask that God will soften my heart towards those who do evil. And may He do that today and every day.
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April 29th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
You are right on target about “love.” It has taken me a long time to come to grips with various implications and I’m still discovering more. Here is what I’m discovering most recently.
Materially, terrorists may be the weakest enemy we have ever faced but they are wielding what may be Satan’s most powerful weapon – fear.
Jesus’ instruction to love enemies and pray for persecutors offers us a brilliant symmetrical counter offensive.
I’ve begun realizing that the antidote to fear is love.
Love for country helps soldiers risk their lives. Love for children enables parents to discipline them without being intimidated. Love for us took Jesus to the cross. Love for terrorists will give courage to face, overcome, and transform them.
When we hate, we are victims. When we love, we seize an overcoming initiative.