Tuesday, August 1st, 2017

Monday saw political debate that took many forms, reaching into topics such as immigration, health care, threats from North Korea, and more changes in the White House staff. It seems no matter the topic, two opposing sides instantaneously develop. Both side jockey for support with the end goal being larger numbers on your side than your opponent’s. More and more over the years, the more shocking, personal, or superlative a political figure can make his argument, the more effective it is. At its core, what political figures are doing is selling. Best-selling author Daniel Pink wrote a book in 2012 called To Sell Is Human, in which he posits that no matter who you are, you are a salesperson. As Pink puts it, “Whether we’re employees pitching colleagues on a new idea, entrepreneurs enticing funders to invest, or parents and teachers cajoling children to study, we spend our days trying to move others. Like it or not, we’re all in sales now.” Inherent in any sale is a desire by the seller to entice the buyer to move, to act, to purchase. Some sales people give the rest a bad reputation by using sleazy or arm-twisting techniques. Others are honest and straight-forward. However, at the end of the day, selling is about influencing someone else to act in your favor. To Sell Is Human is a catchy title, and although it is not part of Pink’s thesis, it alludes to the fact that selling is something distinctly human – and not heavenly. God doesn't sell. He gives. To know this to be true, we need only look to John 3:16 and Romans 5:8. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” “8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” God did not sell us Jesus. He didn’t arm twist us into repenting before he gave us Jesus to die for our sins. In a political climate like today’s, remember that real truth and love are given freely; half-truths and power are sold. Thank God today that he freely gave his Son to be our Savior. Pray for our leaders to focus more on giving than selling.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. " -- John 3:16 NIV

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." -- Romans 5:8 NIV