We, in the United States, are in the midst of a presidential election. Emotions are high and passion floods our society like an overflowing river in a torrential downpour. Families are divided, neighborhoods split, friends part ways and social media is steep with strong opinions for and against both candidates. As believers, what is our responsibility? How do we please God during this emotionally charged season?
No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 2 Timothy 2:4 ESV
A successful soldier can only have one focus. His life and the lives of those serving beside him require that he not be distracted. If he is going to do a good job and effectively please the one who enlisted him he must focus on the mission before him. So who are we serving and what is our mission?
For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2 ESV
We have a very narrow focus and a very specific mission, to know Christ and to present to the world the good news of the gospel message. While it’s our civic duty to vote, our passions should center around Christ, not our favorite candidate. If we make our political views known but neglect to share Christ we have failed miserably. Don’t fall into the trap of believing the two are intertwined. Paul tells us he decided to know nothing among the world except Jesus. Could that mean it’s better to not even let your political views be known? Absolutely! We lose an opportunity to point someone toward Christ if they’ve already stopped listening because they support a different candidate. So if it’s not our responsibility to promote a candidate, where should our mind be focused during this political season?
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2 NIV
Have you spent more time listening to the news than to the preaching of God’s word this month? If there was a meter on your mind, would it show you’ve spent more time thinking about the things or God or the things of the world? If you care more about who occupies the White House than who occupies the pew next to you it’s time to reset your priorities.
I don’t know about you, but I find that serving in the Lord’s army takes complete focus. The enemy I face is out for blood! He is like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour! When I lose focus, I put myself in danger!
So what should we do when we believe one candidate lines up so much better with our values than another? We should vote according to our values and we should pray for our country.
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV
Nothing we do to help our country is more important than prayer! If every believer spent as much time praying for our country as we spend talking about politics and expressing our views on social media, we would make a much greater contribution.
It’s also our responsibility to live righteously and to model submission to authority. What has that got to do with politics? Quite a bit actually. We need to recognize that God has the power to put whomever He desires in the White House. Does that mean the most godly politician is guaranteed a win? Of course not, but it does mean that if God has a plan for America that necessitates a specific leader in office, he doesn’t need our help to get him elected. He wants us to model righteous behavior, submit to the authority of everyone in leadership and show them respect. We should honor them even if we disagree with them, if for no other reason than because God has allowed them to lead.
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment….Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. Romans 13:1-2, 7 ESV
If you’ve already made your political views known, it’s too late to decide to know nothing but Jesus Christ and him crucified. But it’s not too late to change your narrative. You may need to stop talking politics and start showing respect for all those in leadership, on both sides of the political aisle. If you are emotionally charged over this election, you may need to stop watching the news and give more of your attention to God’s word. Believer, you are in a war, and it has nothing to do with politics! Stay focused on what matters and leave the rest to the world to figure out.
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. Titus 3:1-2 ESV
It’s time to talk politics…not really!