The New Left

We’re proclaiming a new definition of “Leftism.”  Frankly, we’re tired of being dismissed by the same old tired clichés about the left.  Our definition is based on what Jesus said:

Matthew 7:12 Whatever you want others to do for you, do so for them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 22:37-40 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. And a second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.

Who is this man issuing “new” commandments anyway?  How dare he do such a thing?  Well, we believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, but we realize that not everyone agrees with us on that.  Some folks think Jesus was an “enlightened prophet.” That’s fine.  Everyone must decide who Jesus is on their own.  It’s a personal decision.

Who is my neighbor you ask?  Funny you should ask.  It’s an old question.  Jesus answered it in the parable of the Good Samaritan:

Luke 10:25-37

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

So why do we talk about politics so much?  Because so much of what our politicians decide affects how our neighbors live, or die.  We can’t stand idly by while politicians serve up injustice to the poor, the sick, the weak, or the oppressed.  We’re not going to be the ones in the silk suit who hurry by as we catch the poor old lady's eye, and just for fun, say, “Get a job!”  Indeed, some things WILL change if we have anything to say about it.

The Way It Is
By Bruce Hornsby

Standing in line marking time, waiting for the welfare dime
'Cause they can't buy a job
The man in the silk suit hurries by as he catches the poor ladies' eyes
Just for fun he says "get a job"

chorus
That's just the way it is
Some things will never change
That's just the way it is
Ah, but don't you believe them

They say hey little boy you can't go where the others go
'Cause you don't look like they do
Said hey old man how can you stand to think that way
Did you really think about it before you made the rules
He said, Son

chorus
That's just the way it is
Some things will never change
That's just the way it is
Ah, but don't you believe them

solo

Well they passed a law in '64 to give those who ain't got a little more
But it only goes so far
Because the law don't change another's mind when all it sees at the hiring time
Is the line on the color bar

chorus
That's just the way it is
Some things will never change
That's just the way it is
Ah, but don't you believe them

Thanks Bruce.  We don’t believe them, and we never will.

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