We are coming up to another election year. If it’s anything close to the last few election years, there will be a lot of drama and unrest. This is something that has unfortunately become all too commonplace in the United States. The thing that is tragic is that politics and faith have become intertwined in this nation tainting the reputation on the church and leaving Christians confused about the truth of our faith, which is the love shown by God the Father.
John 3:16 NIV [16] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
God the Son.
John 15:9 NIV [9] “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
and God the Holy Spirit.
Romans 5:5 NIV [5] And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
As we think about how we talk, think, and engage with the political sphere as believers, we need to keep some things in mind: Where does our hope come from? And what are we trying to gain through our faith?
Where Does Our Hope Come From?
When we remember that our hope comes from the Lord alone, we can engage with those who see the world differently than us when it comes to policy with compassion.
Romans 15:13 NIV [13] May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Those who disagree with you politically are souls that God created and need our care. We need to trust that God has a plan for all of us, no matter our differences, and treat each person with respect. This applies to what we post online, how we engage in conversations, and what we preach in our churches. Maintaining a humble and respectful posture helps to avoid dehumanizing those who hold different worldviews.
What Are We Trying to Gain Through Our Faith?
Our faith is not about gaining worldly power, no matter how noble the cause. Our faith is a relational religion that calls us to know Jesus and to follow him. We share his love, his truth, compassion, and care. Many of us have confused knowing Jesus with a mandate to win over the masses to a political tribe. That’s idolatry. Thankfully, God does not put that weight on our shoulders. He tells us that while others trust in horses (or worldly powers), we can trust in him.
Psalms 20:7 NIV [7] Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
This question can apply to more than politics. Are we using our faith to sell something? A product? An idea? Are we using our faith to try to control others? Is our ministry platform really a quest for notoriety? Fame? Followers? It’s easy to confuse a holy passion with an idolatrous conquest for something more for us. The reality of our faith, no matter if we are rich or poor, influential, or just a spectator, is that we are called to obedience to the lover of our soul, Jesus. It’s not about success. Whatever success we may enjoy in the land of the living is a way for us to give glory to God
John 3:16 NIV [16] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
God the Son.
John 15:9 NIV [9] “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
and God the Holy Spirit.
Romans 5:5 NIV [5] And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
As we think about how we talk, think, and engage with the political sphere as believers, we need to keep some things in mind: Where does our hope come from? And what are we trying to gain through our faith?
Where Does Our Hope Come From?
When we remember that our hope comes from the Lord alone, we can engage with those who see the world differently than us when it comes to policy with compassion.
Romans 15:13 NIV [13] May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Those who disagree with you politically are souls that God created and need our care. We need to trust that God has a plan for all of us, no matter our differences, and treat each person with respect. This applies to what we post online, how we engage in conversations, and what we preach in our churches. Maintaining a humble and respectful posture helps to avoid dehumanizing those who hold different worldviews.
What Are We Trying to Gain Through Our Faith?
Our faith is not about gaining worldly power, no matter how noble the cause. Our faith is a relational religion that calls us to know Jesus and to follow him. We share his love, his truth, compassion, and care. Many of us have confused knowing Jesus with a mandate to win over the masses to a political tribe. That’s idolatry. Thankfully, God does not put that weight on our shoulders. He tells us that while others trust in horses (or worldly powers), we can trust in him.
Psalms 20:7 NIV [7] Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
This question can apply to more than politics. Are we using our faith to sell something? A product? An idea? Are we using our faith to try to control others? Is our ministry platform really a quest for notoriety? Fame? Followers? It’s easy to confuse a holy passion with an idolatrous conquest for something more for us. The reality of our faith, no matter if we are rich or poor, influential, or just a spectator, is that we are called to obedience to the lover of our soul, Jesus. It’s not about success. Whatever success we may enjoy in the land of the living is a way for us to give glory to God
Focus on Jesus and Not the News
My prayer for the church is that as we continue this long difficult road toward the national election, we spend more time focused on Jesus than we do on the news. Let’s not let the newest outrage, quick memes, social media post, or AI offerings, derail us from our holy calling to follow Jesus. We need to take time to listen to others who are hurting, offer them comfort, and remind them that they can stop worrying about the future because they can trust the one who holds each of our days in his hands. He promises that no matter what, he is working for our good.
Romans 8:28-30 NIV [28] And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. [29] For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. [30] And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
It’s time to lay down our harsh megaphones, and instead, it’s time to humble ourselves and pray that God will heal our land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV [14] if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
God the only one with the power, wisdom, and strength to restore the places where our world has broken. It’s time to get in his word and ask for wisdom when it’s time to go to the polls rather than let our Facebook friends tell us what to think. We need the Holy Spirit to guide us.
Our churches need to be a refuge for all people, a place that leads the lost to their Savior. We can care about policy, but policy is not our God. We can have political beliefs, but they never are more important than the Gospel. We can disagree with others, but our words always need to be full of love.
It’s Time to Get Out of the Culture War and Lean into True Religion
Following Jesus has always come at a cost. The first followers all gave their lives as martyrs for their beliefs. Believers have endured persecution in many forms. The goal of the Christian church is not to make being a Christ follower easy. We need to rethink this notion of a culture war. Is it biblical? Has culture ever been the place where God shines?
Here’s the definition of true religion.
James 1:27 NIV [27] Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
If we all got busy loving the unlovable, seeing the brokenhearted, and giving ourselves up for the sake of the least of these, so many of the struggles we see in our world would be gone.
There are particularly important things that we should do in response to our faith. We are to pray without ceasing, worship our Creator, seek out wisdom and knowledge, walk by faith, care for those in need, and share our love with others. This is how we live out our political beliefs, as those who love Jesus first, and then happen to live in a country, which is not our home, and vote when the time comes.
Hebrews 13:14 NIV [14] For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.[16] And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
My prayer for the church is that as we continue this long difficult road toward the national election, we spend more time focused on Jesus than we do on the news. Let’s not let the newest outrage, quick memes, social media post, or AI offerings, derail us from our holy calling to follow Jesus. We need to take time to listen to others who are hurting, offer them comfort, and remind them that they can stop worrying about the future because they can trust the one who holds each of our days in his hands. He promises that no matter what, he is working for our good.
Romans 8:28-30 NIV [28] And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. [29] For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. [30] And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
It’s time to lay down our harsh megaphones, and instead, it’s time to humble ourselves and pray that God will heal our land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV [14] if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
God the only one with the power, wisdom, and strength to restore the places where our world has broken. It’s time to get in his word and ask for wisdom when it’s time to go to the polls rather than let our Facebook friends tell us what to think. We need the Holy Spirit to guide us.
Our churches need to be a refuge for all people, a place that leads the lost to their Savior. We can care about policy, but policy is not our God. We can have political beliefs, but they never are more important than the Gospel. We can disagree with others, but our words always need to be full of love.
It’s Time to Get Out of the Culture War and Lean into True Religion
Following Jesus has always come at a cost. The first followers all gave their lives as martyrs for their beliefs. Believers have endured persecution in many forms. The goal of the Christian church is not to make being a Christ follower easy. We need to rethink this notion of a culture war. Is it biblical? Has culture ever been the place where God shines?
Here’s the definition of true religion.
James 1:27 NIV [27] Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
If we all got busy loving the unlovable, seeing the brokenhearted, and giving ourselves up for the sake of the least of these, so many of the struggles we see in our world would be gone.
There are particularly important things that we should do in response to our faith. We are to pray without ceasing, worship our Creator, seek out wisdom and knowledge, walk by faith, care for those in need, and share our love with others. This is how we live out our political beliefs, as those who love Jesus first, and then happen to live in a country, which is not our home, and vote when the time comes.
Hebrews 13:14 NIV [14] For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.[16] And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
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