The Secret is that the Secret is Not A Secret

I heard a talking head say the other day: “A good doctor cannot allow a person’s politics affect his treatment.” It’s true. We just assume it with Docs. A guy is wheeled into the ER wearing a Black Lives Matter shirt, we assume the doc doesn’t see politics but a patient in need. See, we know he took an oath: The Hippocratic oath. It is among the most ancient of oaths. It requires that he/she uphold several ethical standards which ultimately require him to strive to give the best care to every patient. Part of the AD 245 text is: “I will abstain from all intentional wrong-doing and harm.” That phrase has been popularized “First, do no harm.” And, we expect that. regardless of skin color, education, economic ability, or any other orientation, right? I’m thankful for that. 

Ministers to have a pledge “Preach the word, be instant in season or out of season.” To preach the Gospel, Good News. To “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” It requires that we uphold several ethical standards- to “preach the whole counsel of God.” Brothers, when/if we let our politics get in the way of this we have broken a standard. If politics gets in the way of our calling people to God, speaking truth with love, or the right use of our influence we have failed. If a Black Lives Matter, a Love Wins rainbow shirt, a tattooed torso, a pierced person triggers us and we forget that those lives matter, that love does win and that tattoos and piercing can be covered by the blood of Christ. Banks pre-qualify their customers, Doc’s don’t, nor do God’s messengers. She has to see past the t-shirt - we have to see that too.

This is nothing new: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (John 13:34). “And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). “…speaking the truth in love…” (Ephesians 4:15).