The Gospel RESOLVES the tension of RIGHT vs. LEFT
•    The truly gospel-centered Christian is not compelled to be either left or right.  
•    The truly gospel-centered Christian also doesn’t view the enemy either on the left or the right.
•    The truly gospel-centered Christian is not politically complacent but sees the limitations of political power to bring change.

1)    Jesus INSTALLS a Kingdom IDENTITY not a political IDEOLOGY – Jesus' politics weren’t partisan.
•    The problem with IDEOLOGY apart from IDENTITY is that it will lead to SELF-PROTECTION. When we’re PROTECTIVE, we become DEFENSIVE and we lose the ability to DISCERN.

2)    Jesus INSTILLS Kingdom PRIORITIES not a POLITICAL Agenda – A non-political identity does not mean political complacency. 
•    A Christian worldview demands that we rise above positions and SEE WHY people hold the positions that they hold. There is truth on the right and on the left. There are lies on the right and the left.  PARTICIPATE in the system but not give ALLEGIANCE to it.  

So, Jesus is neither RIGHT or LEFT. He is a THREAT to both.  
•    He confronts right-side moral superiority
•    He confronts left-side moral certainty
•    He confronts everyone’s self-justification

3)    Jesus INITIATES the Kingdom through POWERLESSNESS not POWER-ATTAINMENT – In His death He became powerless, impoverished, suffered and was shamed. In His resurrection He demonstrated victory and justice. 

 “You don’t need the world to be fixed for your heart to be secure.”

ASSESS/APPLY:
•    SURRENDER control - Where are rising costs, financial pressure, or economic uncertainty tempting you to grasp for control? What would it look like to entrust your provision and security to Christ instead of the outcomes of policy or markets this week?
•    TEST allegiance - When your loyalty to Jesus comes into tension with your political, cultural, or personal preferences, which one tends to win, and how can you tell?
•    TRUST Christ as King - What political or cultural issue is shaping your emotions right now, and how would your posture change if you truly trusted that Jesus is reigning over it, even now?

The Kingdom that Christ has invited us to be a part of is better.  
•    It’s COSMIC - The forces of evil that gain strongholds in the political realm of empires and republics, will ultimately be OVERWHELMED & OVERCOME
•    It’s ETERNAL - It will not face an election every four or five years. It will never be overthrown by a foreign power. It doesn’t die with the death of the King.
•    It’s INCLUSIVE - It is open to all who have sinned. Then it is for everyone.