By Steven Norris
As a child of blended families, there were six of us boys scattered across households. My mother had two biological children, of which I am the oldest, though I am number four of the larger pack. In such an environment, there are certain skills one must develop in order to survive, especially if you were on the lower end of the totem pole.
For example, knowing when and how to complain when one of the older boys was picking on you was essential. If you were out of earshot, no one was going to come help you. If mom was around, however, one learned to voice his objection loud enough that she might overhear it. As soon as she came into the room, she would find an Oscar-worthy display of acting skills — writhing on the ground in more pain than the average human could endure.
When the finger of blame was pointed in your direction, the response was predictable. “He did it first!” was the usual retort. Close behind that came something along the lines of, “He did way worse to me, Mom!” Other times, it was the much more economical, “He’s lying!”
I cannot help but think about these experiences as I watch much of what passes for public discourse today. I see lines much like those my brothers and I used in almost every press conference, regardless of who is behind the podium. Yet, many of these people claim to be followers of Jesus and wear the label of “Christian” proudly.
I see regular folk parroting these “talking points” in their own social media posts and speech. I have even seen members of my own congregation post such things online and have overheard these arguments in passing conversations.
Therefore, let me be abundantly clear: “They did it first,” is not a Christian ethic. “They do things that are worse,” is not a Christian ethic. “They deserve it because…,” is not a Christian ethic.
“Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, pray for those who persecute you.” That is a Christian ethic. “Turn the other cheek, go the second mile.” That is a Christian ethic. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” That is a Christian ethic. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” That is a Christian ethic.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to stand out — to be different. Jesus called us to be light in the darkness and salt of the earth. “Do not be conformed to this world,” the Apostle Paul tells us, “but be transformed by the renewing of your minds.” The Apostle Peter clearly describes the early followers of Jesus as “aliens and strangers in this world.” He is saying that we are to stand out as a “peculiar people.”
Therefore, I encourage you: be different. Hold yourself to a higher standard. Don’t mirror the immaturity of the world around you. Strive for something better. Instead of passing or deflecting blame, let us strive for a Christ-centered ethic grounded in sacrificial love of God and neighbor. (Credit to professor Douglas Van Nest for the original post that inspired this article.)