Tying into something Bonchie noted on November 14th regarding the ongoing dust-up between Candace Owens, et al, and Ben Shapiro regarding who is on which side of the Israel-Hamas War, it’s worth noting some recent tweets from Owens and those of like mind.

✝️ Christ is King.

— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) November 15, 2023

Others echoed the sentiment.

Jesus Christ is King ✝️

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) November 15, 2023

I don't know who needs to hear this but Jesus Christ is King of the Universe

— Jack Poso 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) November 15, 2023

Without going into a deep dive regarding the people involved, because frankly, I’d rather not, an examination of points raised by this public exchange is warranted.

There’s much truth to the adage that publicly announcing your plans is the best way to guarantee they will never come to fruition. The same is true for doing the Lord’s work. The less publicly said, the better. As Christ Himself commented:

So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

The same principle Jesus outlines for charitable work applies to public professions of faith and discussions of same. As the prophet Jeremiah noted:

This is what the Lord says:

“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom
or the strong boast of their strength
or the rich boast of their riches,
but let the one who boasts boast about this:
 that they have the understanding to know me,
that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,”
declares the Lord.

Note this is not taking pride in self, due to there being anything in which there is something worth taking pride. Instead, the emphasis is on having enough sense to realize reaching out is the only available path worth taking. Using “I know the Man Who willingly chose to die in my place so I wouldn’t spend eternity in utter isolation and torment as just punishment for my sins” as a point of pride over others is quite the weird flex. Also, demanding attention is that in His word to Jeremiah, God emphasizes first His kindness. Then justice. Then righteousness. A good order in which for all who believe to proceed.

There is no acceptable weaponization of faith against another person, no excuse for attempting to wield belief in Christ as a bludgeon asserting superiority. Again, quoting Christ directly, namechecking is woefully insufficient.

Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

If you’re invoking Christ’s Name without genuine fear of Him and the Judgment to come, not for others but for yourself, you’re doing it wrong.

I would be remiss in not providing an example of getting it right, as written by the 20th-century British minister Frederick William Pitt, and recently beautifully voiced by Rachel Wilhelm and Phil Keaggy:

The maker of the universe as man for man was made a curse
The claims of laws which He had made unto the uttermost He paid
His holy fingers made the bough which grew the thorns that crowned His brow
The nails that pierced His hands were mined in secret places He designed
He made the forests whence there sprung the tree on which His body hung
He died upon a cross of wood, yet made the hill on which it stood
The sky that darkened o’er His head by Him above the earth was spread
The sun that hid from Him its face by His decree was poised in space
The spear which spilled His precious blood was tempered in the fires of God
The grave in which His form was laid was hewn in rock His hands had made
The throne on which He now appears was His from everlasting years
But a new glory crowns His brow and every knee to Him shall bow

There are few things more abhorrent than attempting to weaponize Christianity, or should I say, trying to use Christianity as a weapon against others. While Christ Himself said that He did not come to bring peace to the earth but rather a sword, nowhere in God’s Word is there the slightest suggestion of belief in Jesus being a suitable axe to grind or wield against those who believe differently.

The true believer says “Christ is King” not as an assault against others but as an admittance of personal failure. The valid believer names Jesus as their Lord and not only their Savior. Accepting Christ’s Lordship is acknowledging the utter need for that Lordship. Even as He welcomes us into the fellowship bought at the ultimate price, we must bow before Him and follow His command to serve others, not exalt ourselves. There is no pride in being part of the Lion of Judah’s pride.