I despise politics. It’s messy, sticky, emotional, chaotic, and about fifty other things that I simply cannot stand. I say this to emphasize the fact that the Christian Church has fallen short enough here that I must say something. What I am about to tell you should not have to be said like this to mature Christ-followers. I am frustrated and heartbroken that I must write this. I imagine God feels the same.
We are never ‘anti-a person.’ You cannot be a Christ-follower and be ‘anti-a person.’ Hear me out: you can be ‘anti-electing a person’, but never ever ‘anti-a person.’
Jesus stood opposed to a person’s actions.
Jesus held different values than a people.
Jesus called out hypocrisy.
Jesus did all these things. But never, not once, did He attack the value of a person. I am going to say this once, and it should not be mind blowing, but for some, it will be.
Jesus died on the cross for Joe Biden and Donald Trump, just as He hung on that cross for you and me. We are no better than they. Self-assured pride has become a bitter poison around the elections, and it infects everyone it touches.
When did Christians reach the point that we don’t oppose a person’s stance on the issues, but we oppose the person? When we did we decide that the value of a person is in whether or not they agree with us? When did we elevate ourselves to the level where we believed we can decide who is and isn’t worthy of grace? When did we reach the point that we opposed not only our politicians, but we viciously attack their whole families? How did we get here? I have absolutely no idea. This is the third election in which I have been able to vote, and I do not understand this behavior.
Photo credit: Element 5 Digital on Unsplash.com.
Look, I am just one Christ-follower, but let me tell you what I see as Christ-like ways to behave. Hear me out; I’m betting you will agree.
1. Vote: God has placed us in a country where we have the right and ability to influence who leads us. This is an incredible freedom, and God put that idea on the hearts of the Founding Fathers. So go vote, and vote on the issues that matter to you as informed by your faith. Consider the candidates’ stances on the poor, abortion, debt, healthcare, and anything else you value. Once you have done the research, pray over your decisions, because we are told we need not be anxious; we need to pray (Philippians 4:6). Then vote.
2. Love with actions while standing in truth. It can be done, but not without forethought applied to our words (1 John 3:18).
3. Never EVER tear down someone for their illness, disability, or addiction. No one is saying, “Oh, I am so concerned, I hope Hunter Biden isn’t being tempted to relapse back into his addictions.” They are mocking him. We are called to show respect to all (1 Peter 2:16) and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Do you really think love kicks people when they are down? I don’t. Love has a name; Jesus. I see Him treating everyone with love and respect, even in stark disagreement, and calling them out of their sins.
4. Do good to those who do evil to you (Luke 6:33). We must stop using the idea of people being a mess as a reason for us to sin in anger. It is right to be angry at some of the issues. It is wrong to push people away from Christ because we cannot control our temper. Instead, we must do good, especially during this time of brokenness and struggle.
5. Watch your words; the lost and broken are listening. You MUST sound like Christ.
6. Tolerate your brothers and sisters in Christ (Ephesians 4:2) who stand differently on political issues: they may be young in their faith. They may come from a different background. They may need to hear the truth in love. Don’t stumble them, I beg you. I am not asking you to tolerate sin. I am asking you to consider your words carefully. I am asking you to ask yourself, do you have the relationship needed to instruct this person? Have you even asked God if you are the right person to address it?
7. Pray. I mean this with everything in me. Pray fervently for Biden, Trump, Jorgensen and their running mates. PRAY FOR THEM! Pray God would manifest Himself to them. Pray they would be blessed with God’s wisdom. Pray He would rock their worlds, turn them around, and change their lives. Pray they would be (or become) men/women of God. Pray they would be brave enough to stand on the Word.
Brothers and sisters, we must stop making fools of ourselves. We must stop making it look like The Church is divided. More accurately, we must stop letting The Church BE divided. We must stop this ‘us versus them’ mentality. It is never ‘us vs anyone.’ It’s us FOR them.
Us FOR them hearing (and seeing) the Gospel.
Us FOR them accepting Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.
Us FOR their lives being transformed.
Us FOR them reaching the finish line and being told ‘well done.’
It’s us FOR God changing their lives like He has for us.
I challenge you, next time you are frustrated with a political post and you want to lash out (I have been there), that you would pray through it. Sit with God; ask Him what He would have you say. I cannot tell you what that will be. I can tell you it will never be based in hatred. I leave you with these scriptures:
Do your best to live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18
Do not let unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only that which is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may be a benefit to those who listen. Ephesians 4:29.
Lord, may we stand with you on the issues, and with you in the way we treat people. Unify your church. Amen.
Joanna French is the special needs pastor at Flint Hills Church, Junction City, KS. Joanna and her husband Jairmie have two boys with autism. In 2017, Joanna started Flint Hills Embrace with the goal to make Flint Hills Church a place where everyone belongs. Why? Because we all have a place in God's plan.
