I fear America hides
behind a works-based
motivation of pleasing God,
and this drives our division.
For if the work I do pleases God,
and the work my neighbor does
displeases him,
I am elevated. I am deserving.
I am correct. I am righteous.
But the truth of the gospel is this:
Our deeds, our words,
our opinions, our donations, our votes
do not give us God’s nod of approval.
It is Jesus.
He did that work for us
out of selfless love,
so we wouldn’t have to toil
and work
and do everything right
to wash ourselves clean
from the tangles of sin.
And it is this act of compassion
that should motivate our deeds,
our words, our opinions,
our donations, our votes.
It is this act of compassion
that redeems us when we fail.
It is this act of compassion
that America can’t seem to grasp
because we are too busy fighting
about who is right, who is wrong.
But, it is this act of compassion
that gives me hope
when all else seems hopeless.
It is this act of compassion
that truly sets us free.
