Political and religious glee - us versus them

Over the last couple of days, there was a lot of news coverage on the changing political leadership in our country. There has been an incredible amount of celebration (if you are a Democrat), I would even say glee on the part of the victors. According to dictionary.com, that word means "open delight or pleasure." When I looked the word up, just to make sure there wasn't a better one to choose, I also found this alternative definition - "malicious satisfaction." Yes, I think the word glee sums up quite well the feeling of many.

As I was thinking about this, my mind wandered to Christianity. Yes, going from politics to Christianity is a stretch - most of what I see in politics has nothing to do with being a Christian. But I started thinking about "being a Christian,", versus not being one. I began to contemplate, "Don't we Christians often approach our lives from an us versus them mindset?" You're either on our side, or you're not. The right side or the wrong side. Democrats versus Republicans, Christians versus non-Christians. And I think sometimes, Christians look toward non-Christians with a type of glee, using either definition from above.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if our country were filled with Americans, not Democrats or Republicans? When one party won an election, the other side would reach out their hand and offer genuine congratulations, and offer to walk side-by-side with them to do what was best for our country (not for their own personal, political advancement)?

And wouldn't it be more wonderful if Christians didn't view non-Christians with the same contempt with which Democrats view Republicans (and vice-versa)? Yes, it is wonderful to be a follower of Christ (a Christian), but aren't we all God's children? Shouldn't we be extending our hand to Christians and non-Christians alike, sharing God's love with everyone, offering to walk side-by-side with them on this incredible journey?

It shouldn't be an us-versus-them thing. Jesus died for all of us, not just Christians. He died to save the world, not just me.

Stop trying to figure God out

In my morning devotional time, I just read a great quote from A.W. Tozer on the Holy Spirit. He said of the Spirit, "Knowledge by acquaintance is always better than mere knowledge by description, and the first does not presuppose the second nor require it." Following along the theme from my last post, too many intellectual Christians seem to be trying to figure God out. They contemplate, 'Why did He do this? What does it mean that this happened? What can we learn from this event?' I'd say we'd all be better off pursuing the relationship than the understanding.

How often do we desire to know more about who God is when we would benefit more from simply knowing Him?