Confessions of a Hypocrite

I have a confession to make - I am a hypocrite!

Since the United States government shutdown about 13 days ago, I have engaged in many conversations, some online and some face to face, concerning how I view the role of our federal government, specifically in regard to healthcare. Politically speaking, I have a hard time finding a specific niche, but the closest I can come is to say that I am a social and fiscal conservative with libertarian leanings, supporting limited government and personal freedom. During the course of my conversations, with friends on the left and the right politically, I have consistently argued against the Affordable Care Act (aka "Obamacare") from the standpoint that it is government overreach. So, in my judgment, even if it "works," this government controlled, universal health care is an example of the federal government operating outside its constitutional purview. Plus, I am still not convinced that guaranteed health "coverage," under a more socialized system, will necessarily translate into better, universal health "care."

 I have held the position for years that it is not our government's job to care for the poor, hurting and needy but that it is the responsibility of local communities - expressed through families, neighbors, faith communities, and various organizations. I still hold to that conviction and believe firmly that our government is, in countless ways, WAY to big for its britches...er, its founding documents. Time after time, we, as a people, are too quick to give away our freedoms for the promise of government care and security. This I still believe and, even as I type, become more resolute that our federal government needs to decrease so that the American citizenry may increase and flourish.

However, another conviction is growing within me, and this one goes deeper and is much more personal than my view on worldly government. This conviction deals with my heart and, therefore, my very life. See, vastly more important than my citizenship in the United States is the fact that I am a follower of Jesus. As a Jesus-follower, I believe that people, all people, are sacred simply because they are created by God in His image. People are people! That is not just a redundant truism; a person's value is not relative to their wealth, social status, gender, race, religion or any other descriptor or label.

Because all people are sacred, I believe that all people have an inherent dignity and, therefore, deserve love, respect and care. This is where the hypocrisy is revealed within me. I spout that it is not the government's responsibility to care for people but that it is our job, the people's job. In conversation with some of my more liberal, or progressive, friends, I do not hear men and women who want to ruin the country; at least among my friends and relatives who lean more to the left politically, I hear the hearts of men and women who genuinely care for people and want them to be cared for. We may have radically different views and approaches as to how that care is to be expressed, but I want to honor loving, even Christ-like motives wherever they may be found.

As I have listened to and argued with my left-leaning friends, I have had to examine my own heart, and in that examination, I have come to a few conclusions. Limited government is good; Jesus is greater; and I am a hypocrite. I have sat back, criticized our government (and those who support it), spouted personal and local responsibility tidbits, and...done almost nothing about it. Conversing with those I disagree with, on how to help, has driven me to see how little I actually help. As I see it, higher taxes (even those devised to help others) are bad, and generosity in helping those truly in need is good. However, the truth is I have not been generous toward the poor and hurting with the resources God has entrusted me to steward - my time, talents, and resources. If being a Christian is simply subscribing to a creed and believing in Jesus as an ideology, then I'm pretty okay; however, if it actually means following Jesus, then I need forgiveness, mercy and empowering grace.

True confession must lead to true repentance, a transformative turning from the old, hypocritical path onto the path of integrity, where my feet are moving in the same direction as my mouth. To paraphrase, or slaughter, the Apostle Paul's words to the 1st century Jesus-followers in Corinth - "If I have the correct political philosophy and don't love those around me, I'm just a noisy windbag." Believing the right things must lead to doing the right things; otherwise, it's just words. When I'm hurting, financially broke or alone, I want more than words; I want presence. I want love.

Father, forgive me for not living out the sacrificial compassion of Jesus. I have spoken of Your compassion, yet I have not followed it up with Your action. Help me, by the power of Your Spirit, to love those around me, especially those who are broken, hurting and truly needy. Move in on my hypocrisy; renovate my heart; help me to walk in integrity. I want to honor you with my lips, my heart, and my hands and feet. All that I have is Yours; forgive me for treating it as my own. Use me in whatever manner You desire to reveal Your compassion, care and comfort to those around me, and lead me to those not yet around me so I may serve them too. Thank You God for Your grace, mercy and patience with me.