Westernized Christendom has come to represent to act proclaiming Christian values and beliefs while actively and passively doing the opposite. It is no secret that American Christians by and large are biblically illiterate. Evangelicals in general and yes there are many exceptions are committed to Christianity only to selfishly protect their own self-interest instead of sacrificially serving others.
The election of President Donald Trump (and continued cult like worship) has revealed that many Christians are more concerned about comfort, power, influence, and control than the gospel message of humility, generosity, ministering to others, and loving thy neighbor. The Gospel of Jesus has been traded in for a narrative of fear and retribution.
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me (Matt. 25:35)
“When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. (Lev. 19: 33-34)
Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him. (Prov. 14:31)
Just through theses few scriptures we can see American Christians are a dismal failure. Christians in America have in recent years supported measures that have turned away refugees, refused aid to immigrants in dire need, cut social services to the poorest of the poor, reduced help for the sick and drug addicted, fueled and promoted xenophobia, reinforced misogyny, ignored or promoted racism and hatred, supported corruption, and largely increased inequality, prejudice, and fear in the name of Patriotism and individual liberty.
Early Christ followers refused to bow to the emperor and adhere to the policies of the Roman government. They gave everything, where persecuted, arrested, tortured, and eventually martyred, for the sole purpose of serving Christ and serving others. They did not do what they did to serve their comfort or the ideas of a cult or conspiracy.
Can we as American Christians do the same?