“Only the strong survive…”

That’s the quote from the now former mayor of a city in Texas said in response to people seeking heat and power as a result of the winter storm in Texas and much of the middle portion of the country.

You can read the story here – https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tim-boyd-texas-mayor-colorado-city-resigns-power-outages/.

Real caring, right?

Here’s my favorite quote from the former mayor:

“No one owes you [or] your family anything; nor is it the local government’s responsibility to support you during trying times like this!” he said. “Sink or swim it’s your choice! The City and County, along with power providers or any other service owes you NOTHING! I’m sick and tired of people looking for a damn handout.” 

Clearly he doesn’t understand the concept of government in the midst of a crisis.

I wonder if Mr. Boyd would call himself a Christian because the idea that only the strong survive is in conflict with what Jesus is about – you know, the guy Christianity is supposedly fashioned after and who we are called to listen to and follow. Jesus cared about the poor, the outcast, the widow, the orphan, the stranger. To sum it up, the weak in society, the very people that Mr. Boyd is giving the verbal finger to with a theology and philosophy that is contrary to the teachings of Jesus. But hey, why let Jesus get in the way of core beliefs, right?

Here’s why I know that America is not a “Christian” nation – this is not uncommon. The belief is not uncommon, even and sometimes especially among self-professed Christians.

I’m not sure how one claims to be a follower of Jesus and then believes that only the strong survive, or that the ends justify the means, or that might makes right, or redemptive violence is ok. These things are in direct conflict with what Jesus taught and how he lived. But all one needs to do is pick up and open a Bible and read it to find that out.

But this only highlights a problem that we have – we have competing ideas in this nation. We have a large segment of folks who see no issue with claiming Jesus and believing in things that are in direct opposition to what he taught. I don’t get it. Why bother claiming Jesus if what I actually believe is completely opposite what Jesus is about?

But don’t forget, there is has been quite a bit of effort over the years, decades, and centuries to re-cast Jesus as something he is not. All so that some people can continue to claim to be his followers, even though what they are following is something else. Why bother clinging to Jesus though if you are changing him into something else? What’s the point? Why not just drop Jesus all together and be honest?

Maybe that’s why Scripture is critical of lukewarm Christians. They are neither hot or cold. They can’t be bothered to be honest about their belief about Jesus I guess. And like lukewarm water, a lukewarm faith is pretty worthless. So why not just ditch it?