Religious Left leader Rev. Jim Wallis and his ilk would have us believe that Jesus Christ is some sort of socialist utopian. According to their philosophy, Christians should happily support the concept of the government stealing from one segment of the population, wasting most of that wealth, and passing out whatever is left to the rest of the peasants? We, who are free in Christ, should willingly enslave ourselves (and others) to the state?
 
Not if we understand scripture and its message of salvation. First and foremost, Jesus’ “kingdom is not of this world”. Consider the words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer:

Who is telling us, actually, that all worldly problems should and can be solved? Perhaps for God the unsolved nature of these problems is more important than their solution – namely, because it points to the original sin of the human race and to God’s redemption. Perhaps the problems of humanity are so involved, so wrongly stated, that they really are unsolvable…The thinking that starts with human problems and looks for solutions on that basis must be overcome. It is unbiblical.

 
Socialism in its numerous and varied incarnations purports to solve all the world’s problems. Instead of understanding human nature and establishing a system of governance accordingly, it attempts to change it the very nature of humans. Wherever it exists, past and present, it can’t help but be atheistic, certainly “unbiblical” – seeking to replace God with the state.
 
Socialism has never worked as advertised, and it never will. Dr. Michael Youssef does a great job of explaining why Rev. Wallis’ freelance version of Christianity is so warped:

The Christian gospel is a message of salvation, not a message of income redistribution and raising our neighbor’s taxes. Jesus said that the way to serve the poor is by giving generously of our own resources…
…The Religious Left is very generous — with other people’s money.
 
Jesus didn’t tell the rich young ruler to become a political activist and affect public policy. He said, “Go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

Dr. Youssef’s article: Keep Jesus Out of Your Socialism, is in 3 parts, though not too lengthy overall, and definitely well worth the read.

To use the name of Christ to advance a socialist ideology is to abuse His name.

Amen