There are some things in this life that I hate. Things such as sirens that wake me up in the middle of the night for no reason. I hate when I go to grab a drink of tea from the refrigerator and find that there is no tea. I nearly break down in to tears when I go to make coffee, and there…is… no… Coffee!

 

All of this aside, there are some things that I really do hate. One of these things is when I hear and see my brothers and sisters in Christ who act and speak as though they are anything but. Regardless of who you are, or what your beliefs or convictions are, there are some things that seem to bring out tremendous emotion and strong feelings. Very few things do this as much as politics.

 

Disclaimer: I am not about to begin telling you who you should/shouldn’t vote for.I am not about to take a side (democrat/republican.) I simply wish to share a few reminders about the attitudes and views a Christian should take toward politics in general.

 1.   As in all matters of life, Christians behave different from the world.

 

1 Peter 2:11- Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.

 

One thing that bothers me is the idea of “compartmentalizing” our lives. What I mean by this is the idea “I’m a Christian today, its Sunday” but on Friday night at the football game, the way we cheer/jeer represents anything but Christ.

 

I’m afraid many Christians are guilty of this today in the realm of politics.

 

I once had a deacon within the church talk to me about his views on politics. His statement to me was this, “I believe in God, I believe the Bible to be from God, but I believe that the Bible should have no place in politics. I believe we need to keep our political and religious views separate”

 

I was astonished! How can we claim that we believe the Bible is from God, but has no place in politics? How can we say we need to keep our religious and political “minds” separate at all times?

 

Paul had a different message for Christians.

 

Colossians 3:4- “When Christ who is your life appears…”

 

2^nd Corinthians 5:20-  “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us..”

 

Upon studying these and many related statements contained within the New Testament, it is abundantly clear to me that our life in Christ our “Christianity” cannot EVER be left out of the equation as we approach any topic.

 

I say all of that to say this. Regardless of political stance, your number one job as a Christian is to lead others to Christ! I can’t lead someone closer to Jesus, if they look at my life and see that I am just like the world. We must have a different standard in our views that someone who does not know Christ!

 2.   Pleasing God must be more important to us than “Our guy” winning the election.

 

Galatians 1:10-For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

 

I know brothers and sisters who seem to be nothing more than political hobbyist. They have “their guy” or more likely “their guy, they don’t want to win” and that is all that consumes their every thought. I am not standing against someone supporting a candidate, or having an issue with another. What I am saying, is in everything that we say/do we must have a heart for God rather than our “party.”

 3.   Stop the mud slinging!

 

Matthew 12:36-27- I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

 

I (like most of you) hate campaign season. I find that I find out 10 reasons why I should not vote for “the other guy” for every reason given why I should vote for another.

 

Sadly, within the church, we are not much better. I encourage you to take heed to the words of Christ. In Matthew 12:36-37 Jesus is not speaking out against “cussing” but, against “careless words!” how many careless words are spoken in the realm of politics? How many of those careless words are we guilty of contributing?

 

Again, I am not opposed to opposing something/someone that you think is wrong, Jesus did that! What I am opposed to is when we allow trivial matters, or party voting to influence our character more than the Word of God.

 

Please, please, speak carefully.

 4.   Remember where your citizenship is!

 

Philippians 3:20- “For our citizenship is in heaven…”

 

Now to the heart of the matter. Could it be that the reason many Christians behave like the world when it comes to this “hot topic” is that we have forgotten where our loyalty and allegiance truly should be rooted?

 

I must tell you, that I am not saying that we should not have pride in our nation. I am not saying we should not pay high honor to those who fight for the United States (Both of my grandfathers did, along with many classmates one of which paid the ultimate price.) I am not saying we cannot be “proud” to be an American.

 

What I am saying….

 

The U.S.A. is not my home. I was born here, I was raised here, I am raising my children here, I preach here, I will most likely die here. But, this is not my home! If our country “turns around” and begins again to acknowledge God, glory to God! If our country heads down a path of destruction, I will still praise God! (Job 13:15- Though he slay me, I will hope in him)

 

I am not trying to discourage voters from voting. I am not trying to discourage Christians from sharing their views. I am simply trying to encourage Christians to make sure that their views, more importantly their attitude, is in line with the Word of God.

 

“This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through. My treasures are laid up, somewhere beyond the blue. The angels beckon me from heavens open door, and I can’t feel at home in this world anymore”