Dear Christians who are American Citizens,
We are just a few months away from another Presidential election, and we can already feel the intensity of the campaigns getting hotter. Each passing presidential election gets more divisive and intense, bringing out the worst in many of us. We believe that we are fighting for the “soul of our nation,” and if the “other” political candidate gets elected, something worse will happen than what already has. You know what? It might.
But let’s keep the main thing, the main thing. If we are indeed followers of Jesus, our primary citizenship is not in this country but in the Kingdom of God. It is not in the presidential candidate that you want to win but in King Jesus. This Kingdom, where Jesus is King, will last forever. It has outlasted all countries, empires, presidents, dictators, and political parties and will outlast anything and anyone that comes after. No matter who wins this election, Jesus is still on the throne. The question is, will people still want to know about Jesus after the election because of what you posted on social media, or will it push them away? Serious question we should all consider.
The Kingdom of God should dictate how we live toward others, a life of love and sacrifice.
- “Love your neighbor as I have loved you.” – Jesus
- “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” – Jesus
I Corinthians 13:3
“If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.”
Or we could say:
If my candidate wins, but I do not have love, I gain nothing.
If I win a political argument but do not have love, I gain nothing.
If I post a political meme as a joke but do not have love, I gain nothing.
I Corinthians 13:4-8
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love NEVER FAILS.”
Yet, if we scroll through our favorite social media accounts, we will see our fellow Christians posting things that do not reflect people who are to be living as citizens of the Kingdom of God but as citizens of a political party and parroting what their news source says about the other party or candidate, or reposting a meme that dehumanizes people who may believe differently. It is in this vein of divisiveness, dehumanizing, and name-calling that is causing us to lose our witness to something greater, something eternal, something more beautiful than any political candidate has to offer, a life lived with Jesus. Nothing can top this!!
So, if you want to be involved in the upcoming political election and “fight” for your candidate, great! Do so with love for those on the other side of the political perspective. Seriously consider what you are posting on your social media account, and ask if this will bring people closer to the love of Jesus or further away. Lastly, don’t forget the calling we have as citizens of the Kingdom of God, and please don’t confuse the Kingdom of God with a particular political group or candidate; they are nowhere near the same.
Phil Steiner 