As a Christian, I live in two kingdoms: the earthly and the kingdom of God. My allegiance is first seek God's kingdom ( Matt. 6:33; Phil. 3:20) and to serve others by making him known in love and service in the other kingdom. There is no president that has ever been a Savior to me, because I already have one: greater and more powerful. I have never been a part of political party, I have never entered into political debates, nor subscribed or "liked" any presidential candidates, and frankly rarely talk about it. Now I am not putting down those that do, I just want to give you an idea of my heart and who I am. I grew up in a non-political household. We rarely if ever discussed politics or presidents or even policies. Since I came from Section 8 housing (low-income housing), we were concerned about other things in life. Even when I came of age to vote, I didn't as I was very apathetic to politics and voting.
Over time I eventually saw that voting is something I should do. Plus you have no right to complain if you didn't vote. I say all of this to lead to me to a statement that has really impacted me and affirmed what I already believe. When my wife and I returned from vacation, I took a Sunday off and so we visited a local church. The pastor's sermon was on the church community: what it looks like, how it operates, etc. He paused a moment and spoke about how during the election season, Brothers in Christ can begin to turn on each other for the sake of a candidate and therefore breaking community with one another. I have seen this first hand in many churches: judgment based on who someone voted for.
He said something that I think is vital in the midst of this political season: "We aren't elephants and we are not donkeys, we are sheep in need of a Shepherd."
How true this is? It is easy to get caught up in what the parties tell us we are and forget we are broken sheep who need our Shepherd. This statement along with many times in prayer and reflection (esp. in the Gospels) have led me to a couple of things that are important thoughts to mention:
1. Political parties do not define WHO we are. Christ does or at least He should. (1 John 3:2)
2. Voting is a privilege, people laid their life to preserve this freedom, go vote.
3. Being Republican doesn't make you anymore Christian than going to church for 80 years and never missing. Same goes for Democrats (see Pharisees)
4. (Spolier Alert) There is no such thing as a Christian political party. Not every candidate or parties policies are completely or more Christian than another.
5. We bring the Kingdom of God to earth by displaying Christ in our own lives and through sharing the gospel and serving others. Love always trumps policy or law (tried it once, didn't work out well).
6. Finally, the Democrats or Republicans cannot save this nation........salvation has always been rooted in Jesus Christ and Him alone (Hebrews 5:9).
7. I believe it is possible to support and vote for different candidates (wait for it.....) and not be vindictive, ugly, call someone Hitler (or there choice of candidate), and still believe and worship Christ!
Finally I can't help but think that there is also a problem with what the church should be doing about some of the issues in our nation or at least our approach to them. I won't go into detail because I do not have the solution nor am I saying that the church is to solve all these issues because it can't. But the church is the primary place (Acts 1:8) that God uses to display His glory and love and that counts for something with these issues.
But hear me out: If we display the kind of infectious love that Jesus showed, and people are being drawn into the community of God and hearing the Gospel. Then through the Gospel experience the newness of life offered in it.......they WILL live differently. They will see their marriages differently, parenting differently, their jobs and issues in our world differently. And the world can't help but be impacted by the kind of transformation that occurs from the gospel and gospel oriented people. Just some food for thought.
Be Blessed.
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