I didn’t post this before the election, because I just didn’t feel the words said all I wanted to say. I don’t want to forget this though, so I’m posting now as a reminder. A reminder to pray. A reminder not to worry. A reminder that politics and policy are not an idol to hold in high esteem, but a man made attempt to keep the world spinning.
There is a war going on right now. A war for our attention. A war for our theology. A war for our convictions. And a war for our votes. If you’re on social media I’m sure you’ve seen it too. In the months that have led up to the election in the USA friends are clashing, family members are unfriending and the plethora of information is intense (and not always accurate).
As a Christian, the conflict goes beyond “are you a republican or a Democrat?” As a Christian there are those who will say, “but how can you vote for... and call yourself a Christian?” I’ve seen both sides using Jesus as their motive, using Jesus as their reason, using Jesus as their justification. Listen well!! Jesus is not a republican!! Jesus is not a democrat!! Jesus is not the face nor the justification of your political party.
Both candidates are human and therefore born with sin. (For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God). But they are our choices. To condemn the vote of your brothers and sisters in Christ because they chose a different sinner than the one you are choosing is divisive. We must pray! We must learn! We must research!
Here are some things that I believe we can do as Christians first and Americans second in deciding how we proceed during this election.
- Love your neighbor (that even includes your politicians and politicians you disagree with. Yes, I’m telling you if you love God and follow Him you are to love both Donald Trump and Joe Biden).
- pray for our country and the candidates (local and federal)
- learn God’s Word so that you can understand God and His expectations
- Research the candidates and the policies on the ballot before you go
- Know what you believe of both the Bible and your political opinions and be able to reconcile both of those together, you will likely not be able to reconcile the policies of either party with your Bible and find yourself politically homeless, and that’s ok too. God didn’t make us to follow the status quo of this world. Remember Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they were thrown into a fiery furnace for not bowing down to their ruler. And Daniel was thrown into a lions den for defying his king by praying to God.
- Seek to understand the constitution and the ramifications of your vote.
Now, I see your posts and the fear within them. Fear of uncertainty. Fear of the unknown. Fear of a future that includes oppression for some and persecution for others and you live on both sides of the aisle, forgetting that your future is in Heaven, your future is in God alone. No matter who wins or loses we can still look to God for today and tomorrow. Trust God over the candidates.
So who will get your vote? I am voting for a human and trusting God no matter the outcome.