An excellent message in our neighborhood church has me thinking. In the Bible text, the Apostle describes himself and his fellow Christians: “We are homeless … the scum of the earth … refuse of the world.” That word “homeless” (1 Corinthians 4:11) grabbed my attention. I am more and more “at home with homelessness.” Because my self-identity is in Christ, and not in a political party.

There are policies that I can support — or critique — on both the Left and the Right. Big, leviathan government? The Bible teaches that it can become beastly. Xenophobia? Jesus says he comes to us in the form of a Stranger and Foreigner. Racial Justice? Indeed, for all of God’s image-bearers.

It’s important to discern the world views that drive political policies. For example, FDR advocated big New Deal programs to relieve suffering and rescue Capitalism from Bolshevism’s appeal during the Great Depression. But, unlike many on today’s Left, FDR was formed by his Dutch Reformed heritage and his sense of noblesse obligé to poor and suffering fellow Americans.

Similarly, Dr. MLK Jr. and many fellow 1960's Civil Rights leaders were Christian clergy. They advocated for civil and voters' rights based on a Christian world view. African-American churches were at the center of organized protests. Today, social justice and voters’ rights are still important, but sometimes pursued based on critical secular theories, some not compatible with a Christian world view.

Today, those who identify as GOP are less likely to be vaccinated against COVID. So GOP doctors in Congress are targeting vaccine hesitancy with a video which claims getting your shot will help end “government restrictions on personal freedoms.” Reduced infections and deaths? Good! But this appeal is based on the GOP’s shift from family, moral, fiscal, religious conservatism to a more Libertarian world view.

In a recent congressional hearing, GOP Rep. Jim Jordan demanded that Dr. Anthony Fauci tell him when Americans will “get their liberties back.” Fauci responded by saying, “We’re not talking about liberties. We're talking about a pandemic that has killed 562,000 Americans.” So, in a debate over “personal liberties” vs. “public health,” GOP policies are driven by personal autonomy, economic freedom, and distrust of the government.

But for followers of Christ? If you are a dual citizen of both your nation and God’s kingdom (Philippians 3:18-21), you are called to Christ’s “mindset” (Philippians 2:1-11). You are to prioritize the interests of others over self-interests (Philippians 2:4-5, 3:18-21). In the early church, while other citizens fled the plague, Christians went into the cities to care for the sick and dying. That world view was not Libertarian, was not anti-vaccine, nor anti-mask, and was not “don't restrict my personal liberties.” God’s higher Moral Law mandates “love your neighbor as yourself.”

Our public worship concluded with a familiar blessing, a reminder of a Christian’s identity and the mission of Jesus Christ’s church: “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness and into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9ff).

I must learn from Jesus Christ to live, love, and serve my neighbors from the margins, and not from a position of political power or social privilege. The Gospel teaches me to be “at home” in Jesus Christ. Even if I am socially disadvantaged (“the world's scum”) or politically disenfranchised (“homeless”).