The political season is heating up. As the primary elections wind up in the next month or so, and we turn our eyes toward the general elections, the rancor, rants, tirades, demonizing of others, and downright hateful exchanges will most certainly increase. One expects this from those who value their positions more than their faith in Jesus. Lamentably this kind of conflictive and hateful behavior is also exhibited by many who claim to be followers of Jesus.
This conversation is not so much about which politicians to support, or what political party best represents Christian values. It’s about living those values. It’s about how we can bring light to a dark world and peace to conflicted people. It is about living our faith as we attempt to bring the best of that faith into the political process.
Some may justify their harsh actions and words by referring to Jesus’ own words, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” (Matthew 10.34) Doesn’t Jesus mean that we are to fight – even with swords – to advance our political positions?
No! Jesus was teaching his followers that they would be rejected as He was rejected. Jesus was teaching them that having faith in Him can bring division. And it is the same with us. A believer may be cursed, ostracized, and rejected – even by his or her own family. One commentator says about Jesus’ words:
“Christ is the Prince of Peace (Is 9:6). He brings peace indeed; but it is God’s peace, which separates men from evil. And since men cling to their evil and refuse God’s peace, the coming of the Kingdom in Christ means for them judgment, the sword which divides and separates. The Kingdom cuts across the closest ties and claims the sacrifice of kin, of honor and life.”[1]
When you wear the Cross of Christ, it becomes a target for the evil one and for the unbelieving world. That is where faith in Jesus fails to bring peace.
So, what is the posture of the Christian to be during the heated political season? I think we should vote in such a way as to advance what we believe best advocates for the values that are expressed in God’s Word. This always brings about what is best for all people – but note – those Christian values are the sword which divides.
It takes a lot of study to truly advance what God's Word teaches, rather than what we think God's Word teaches, what we want, or what the politician or party wants us to advance. So as we engage others, do so prayerfully and faithfully. Not every position taken by a church or denomination may represent faithfully what God's Word teaches.
The believer must also keep in mind that we live in a multi-cultural society. It is difficult to expect that we will ‘have it our way,’ like at Burger King. Our system of government is set up to operate on compromise. With that in mind, the challenge is to advance our positions faithfully and truthfully. In the end, the decisions made may not be exactly what the scriptures teach because we don't live in a theocracy.
We advocate with truth and most of all, with advocate with our vote. Our challenge is to do so without surrendering our identity as followers of Jesus.
Stay faithful, speak the truth in love.
[1] Roehrs, W. H., & Franzmann, M. H. (1998). Concordia Self-Study Commentary (electronic ed., Vol. 2, p. 26). St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House.
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