John Pavlovitz produced a video series entitled “Loathe Thy Neighbor,” to warn us about the menace known as MAGA. While Americans are earning paychecks, owning property, speaking freely, and practicing our chosen religion, we’re unaware that our lives are ruined! John is going to set us straight!
I feel bad for JP. He used to be the best at disguising divisive, hate-fueled propaganda with a veneer of Christian jargon. But lately, he’s been overshadowed by younger voices that are more popular, more articulate, and most importantly, more unhinged. But that’s not the only reason I feel empathy for Mr. P.
He’s not free.
He is imprisoned by loathing. He’s blind to the fact that MAGA people are his neighbors which means he’s supposed to love them. Watching him sink in a pit of angry irony makes me uncomfortable.
I have compassion for lost souls and despite his title of ‘Pastor,’ John Pavlovitz is a lost soul. The Holy Spirit doesn’t allow God’s people to loath anyone. The Spirit reminds us that we’re just as wicked as the people we criticize. Pointing out the sins in other people while ignoring my own (or worse, propping up my sins as virtues) is NOT the work of the Holy Spirit.
And it leaves out the message of redemption. MAGA is loathsome, but that is only half the story.
Jesus Christ turns loathsome MAGA people into saints. Lost souls never talks about this because it is unknown to them.
Jesus can open the eyes of the blind. He exposes the stupidity of trying to overcome evil with more evil. That’s the only reason I can see that John Pavlovitz doesn’t need his wickedness exposed. He needs his wickedness destroyed. There is only one person who can erase sin and that is the person JP claims to follow.
I’m grateful that God has seen fit to open my eyes. I can see the hypocrisy of loathing JP for loathing MAGA. I’m not stuck in the prison of self-righteous judgment but not because I’m clever, or noble, or ‘good.’ I’m free because Jesus unlocked the prison.
I won’t add my voice to the chorus of outrage. That choir is plenty crowded already. If Christ can turn antagonists into apostles, He can certainly turn polemicists into pastors.
(1 John 4:20) If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.
One Response
I read, but rarely comment, on your articles. I often laugh out loud, and enjoy (almost always agree with) your witty, sarcastic humor in pointing out what should be obvious to most of us. Today I had to comment. Today’s post is excellent! While not satirical (which I throughly enjoy), it is well written, biblical and insightful. It also convicted me. You see, I am guilty of loathing those who hate America, like AOC and Chuck Schumer. I need to pray for them, and although hard, I will. I’ll continue to hate their actions, but will pray for their souls. Thank you, John, for penning this and reminding me.