My Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

Identity. Identity politics. Are you a native born North American citizen or recent immigrant? Of White European ancestry or a Person of Color? Gay, Straight, Bi, Trans? 

Identity - it matters, at least to oneself, no matter how much others might not understand, appreciate or accept. Without taking anything away from that fact, many Christians - especially Christian nationalists - don't claim their most essential identity. 

We are all God's beloved. Before I state that I'm a United States citizen, priorities being what they are, I want to affirm my essential character as one loved by God. I am one of a class of all people who are beloved by God. 

Jesus Christ urged His followers to love as He loves us. We are to love all whom God loves. So I am one of a class of all people who are God's beloved and who love God and all of God's beloved. As a Christian, this is my most essential identity. 

Being a United States citizen, a WASP, or a straight cis-male are all secondary at best. Granted, in some instances, policy decisions can be made on the basis of different characteristics (e.g., citizenship). But - and this is a big BUT - those policy distinctions cease to be valid or legitimate if they undercut the higher or more fundamental identity of being a member of a class of all people who are God's beloved and who are to be loved as God loves us.

There are simply things that a Christian ought not do - with or without government imprimatur. If we are to love who God loves, then we are to respect the dignity of every human being. Seldom in our culture of condemnation, however, is that the case. We tolerate and normalize, if not actively advocate for, disrespect in word and deed. 

As Christians - as followers of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of our Heavenly Father - as adopted children of God - we have a moral obligation to speak and act out for who and what we and all people are, God's beloved. We are one class of people with a shared identity. 

The division and the culture of condemnation do not just hurt others. They hurt oneself. When we cease to act consistent with our fundamental identity, we tar and effectively deny ourselves. We are morally wounding ourselves as well as others. 

We should stand up for who we are. We should stand up for who all others are, for we are all alike. We are the same in God's eyes. To suggest otherwise is, I submit, to substitute oneself for God.

Too often people think that God sees things and judges the same as they do. How can it be anything but alarming when one's God condemns and judges the very same things and people that oneself does?! This fact alone convicts us.

I understand that in our prevailing environment my view here might be controversial, that I might get pushback, be criticized, and considered a troublemaker. Well, there is a times when it is right and proper (even righteous) to get into some good trouble. Christians should know this better than just about anyone else.

For God's sake - for our sake - don't shy away from good trouble in following our Lord. Think of the trouble He endured for us.

In Christ's Love,
Mark Andrew+

"Anxiety weights down the human heart, but a good word cheers it up" (Proverbs 12:25).