A Few Thoughts on Christians and Politics

As we step deeper into this political season that we are in, I continue to see post after post and argument after argument.  It's almost nonstop, as if you can't escape the finger pointing, the name calling, the hating that undoubtedly comes from both parties.  All of this has really been on the forefront of my mind lately so I thought I would share a few short thoughts on how, as Christians, we can approach this a little differently. 

The first thing I want to point out is that I am in no way saying that it is not ok or important to have strong political feelings and views.  I certainly have them and I know most of you do too.  Over the years though, especially as the internet has grown I have learned that it's better the save the discussions for my personal life and to keep them off the internet.  The internet is such a great tool but it can often become a place where we can easily say hurtful things to other people that we wouldn't normally say.  And in this political season I have seen more damage done than good.  I have yet to see anyone post that they have changed their views due to the article or status that Joe Snuffy posted about their political party. The internet simply isn't intimate enough for that, these discussion require a more intimate setting where people can come together and have real face to face discussions.  This opens the door for better understanding and respect. 

Of course as believers there are going to be times where we are called to have discussions.  I firmly believe that Christ came to earth, that He stood for something and that He died for something and that as Christians it is our job to stand with Christ.  The thing about Jesus, though, is that He spread His good news through kindness, love, and patience.  Lysa TerKeurst (a Christian author) recently posted this on her Facebook:  "Do we want to make a point with our opinion or make a difference with Jesus?" I thought that this couldn't be more perfect response for the things that we have been seeing lately.  Are we having these political discussions and sharing our stance out of pride or are we sharing them as humble followers of Jesus?  We are called to stand with Christ but how can we stand with Him when we aren't showing a true representation of who He is with our words, our reactions, and our attitude towards others?  In order to have these discussions we have to emulate the true character of Jesus.  You ever hear that saying "You will catch more flies with honey than with vinegar"  Well Jesus is the honey and we are the vinegar.  Jesus must always be invited into our conversations as Christians or we are simply going to continue to be ineffective disciples.  

Lastly, I want to emphasis the importance of prayer.  As I was laying in bed last night I was thinking about a particular issue that I had been talking about with my mom earlier.  I couldn't get it off my mind and I just felt myself growing more and more frustrated with the issue at hand.  The Lord then laid something on  my heart that really resonated with me.  As Christians, we are so willing to have the discussions but how often are we willing to get on our knees and pray?  How often do we really take these issues to the Lord and say "I want to see a change, our Nation needs to see a change and I need to rely on you in order to see it come to pass."  When we cry out to other people and skip crying out to the Lord we are ultimately skipping out on His awesome ability to bring healing and hope.  He is sovereign and faithful, and He is for us and He is worth calling upon.  

So as we continue on in this political season I really encourage you to pray more than you discuss and that when you are called to discuss you would remember to invite Jesus to guide and shine through you.  It is the only way that we are going to start seeing the Lord move in ways that is going to drastically bring change and hope to our Nation.  


"Don't you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can't you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?"

-Romans 2:4