When our leadership team began planning the launch of Drop The Stone in late 2023, we never anticipated this much division and controversy so early – with four months still remaining until the Presidential election. Then again, who could have foreseen the resignation of one candidate and attempted assassination of the other? Wars rage abroad while enraged rioters protest at home. Parties and conventions talk of peace and unity, promising to lower the temperature before anger boils over, but quickly resume mudslinging.
Many Christians and churches feel justified taking sides with parties and voicing strong opinions on policies – often lashing out at those across the political aisle. After all, Jesus said, “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.” (Luke 12:51) Yet the Bible refers to the Lord as a “God of peace” (Hebrews 13:20, Romans 15:33) and Jesus as the “Prince of peace”. (Isaiah 9:6) Jesus even identifies Himself as the giver of peace. (John 14:27) Ephesians 2:14 says, “For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.” When we (rather easily) reconcile that apparent contradiction, we also dismantle any excuse for denouncing those who disagree with our political views.
Misdirected Anger, Misguided Peace…
Scripture speaks of two forms of peace – internal (in us) and external (through us). We can’t offer what we don’t possess. John 16:33 says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Peace within a person’s heart and mind is available in Christ alone. Whenever Jesus said, “peace be with you”, He was speaking to His followers. Nothing in the world can provide someone authentic, enduring peace. Jesus IS peace, so those who don’t know Him can’t experience it. As the saying goes, “Know God, know peace; No God, no peace”.
However, external peace is a separate issue. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9) That statement is intended for Christians as well, but its challenge is external – to bring peace between warring factions. Yet if Jesus “did not come to bring peace, but a sword”, even dividing household members (Matthew 10:34-36), why would He bless the peacemakers?
A closer look at Jesus’ life and ministry reveals that He didn’t wield a sword against everyone. In fact, He brought peace where Christians have been sowing division and drew His sword against those with whom we’re making peace. We tend to vilify and judge progressive “sinners”, but Jesus made peace with those we condemn. He showed “tax collectors” and “adulterers” kindness, compassion, and sacrificed His life to save them on the cross. Jesus instead went to battle against the partisan religious establishment for throwing stones at those “sinners”. As Christians and church leaders, we must be careful not to side or align too closely with the proud, judgmental, and self-righteous who made Him angry – more accurately, irate. Jesus was so upset, He (ironically) used words similar to those Christians direct toward modern day “tax collectors” and “adulterers” on social media. The Prince of peace sheathed his sword and reached out His hand to them.
So the question becomes – can we be at (internal) peace with God if we are not at (external) peace with those who Jesus is peaceful with? Conversely, can we be at (internal) peace with God if we’re at (external) peace with those who Jesus is angry with?
Drop The Stone Does Not Mean…
We’re not saying:
- Policies aren’t important – they are
- Sin doesn’t matter – it does
- The Gospel is not offensive – it is
- Quietly “coexist” is the goal – it isn’t
Unconditional love for ”enemies” who revile and persecute Christians does not mean being silent while preborn children are terminated and babies who survive to adolescence are lured away from Jesus. At the risk of cancellation, we must risk offending and not simply “coexist” because no one will find peace unless they accept the Gospel. At the same time, it’s unreasonable to expect non-Christians to follow biblical law until they believe in the Lawgiver. Yes, they have a God-given conscience and are responsible for the harm they cause, but they will answer to Jesus – not you or me.
Demonstrating kindness and compassion to our political opponents (if they also oppose Jesus) does not entail conformity, endorsement, validation, or agreement. Drop The Stone does not advocate building bridges by eliminating differences. Relationships are about getting along despite differences. We will not find common ground on the existence or definition of “truth” when worldviews are diametrically opposed. We can’t applaud, redefine, or acquiesce to sin in an effort to get close enough to share the Gospel, diluting its power before the words are spoken. Yet drawing hard lines, assigning labels of good versus evil based on a Republican or Democrat affiliation eliminates the possibility for conversations to take place around the table. It’s doubtful the Lord will divide sheep from goats along political party lines – so why do we? Jesus welcomed anyone willing to sit at the table for an open, honest discussion, but He never compromised. Eventually, He brought up sin and the Gospel but the sole Source of perfect peace led with hospitality, listening, and healing.
Join the Drop The Stone Movement…
Drop The Stone offers a countercultural response to the growing divisiveness in America. Its ultimate “call to action” is praying, caring, or sharing (about Jesus) to B.L.E.S.S. a neighbor, coworker, or complete stranger who doesn’t know Jesus – and encouraging friends on social media to follow your lead. There are many ways you and your church can get involved to spark the movement:
You
- Visit the Drop The Stone website
- Read other blog posts about Drop The Stone
- Watch this short video overview
- Read posts on our Facebook page and share, like, and comment
- Join the Drop The Stone Facebook group and engage in the discussion
- Perform an act of kindness for someone you’re at odds with politically
- Post your story on your favorite social media channel with the hashtag #DropMyStone and challenge 5 (Christian) friends to pay your kindness forward
Your Church
- Evaluate whether the congregation is diminishing or exacerbating division
- Teach members how to respond to personal attacks during this election cycle
- Tell other pastors and churches about Drop The Stone
- Show our video at a Sunday service or share it with members via social media
- Encourage redemptive acts of kindness by your members and small groups (and have them share their stories with the hashtag #DropMyStone)
- Preach a sermon on Drop The Stone to encourage “confession through caring”
- Hold a Drop The Stone Sunday to launch it to your congregation and city
Whatever part you or your church decide to play in the Drop The Stone Movement, you’re casting an eternal vote whose impact will endure far longer than just the next four years – and you can vote more than once in this election!
It’s Your Turn…
Offer forgiveness and grace to someone vehemently opposed to your political point of view. When you and I #DropMyStone, we become conduits of God’s love and peace.
