It’s Political Time Again....Let’s Show A Better Way!

(This is adapted from an article that I previously wrote titled A Community Beyond Politics.  As we move now into conventions, debates and the campaign season, we do well to reflect on how we as followers of Jesus will conduct ourselves.  I offer this writing in that spirit.  Rev. Brett)

At my grandmother’s dinner table, we were always told not to talk about two things:  religion and politics.  I suppose in this article, I will break both rules.  In reality, though, religion and politics often walk side by side.  We often hear of politicians appealing to religion to win votes or gain favor with voting blocks, we see members of Congress draw from faith traditions to support their particular side of any given issue, and church members have to balance their understanding of Christ, his teachings, and his compassion with personal opinions and desires in casting votes or forming political opinions.  In doing these things, it becomes apparent that people who worship the same God, read the same Bible, and live by the Holy Spirit can arrive at very different political points of view.  The Church of Jesus Christ is made up of disciples who sometimes have very different politics!

The temptation in the United States today is to draw battle lines along political views and parties:  red or blue, liberal or conservative, President Obama or Governor Romney.  Some even go so far as to equate faith with agreement on a political philosophy or point of view.  Yet, if there is one truth that emerges from the story of the early Church (that community that was formed after the death and resurrection of Jesus) it is that political agreement did not define the community, but rather the Holy Spirit filling their lives.  In fact, as Jews and Gentiles came together in one fellowship, there were very different political views.  Some liked the emperor, some didn’t; some wanted Jewish autonomy, others favored Roman control.  The list goes on….yet each person was filled with the grace and power of the Spirit.  The point is that the early church was not formed along political lines, but spiritual ones.

What does this mean for us today?  As we reflect on these points, we do well to remember that we are a continuation of that same early community that God created in the days just after Jesus.  We too are defined not by political agreement, but by the power of Jesus. 

As I think, then, about the relationship between faith and politics today, and hold them up to the light of faith, three great truths emerge: 

1.      We do not form our political opinions on our wants or desires alone; we look to the things that Jesus cared about, the people he cared about, and the ways the he wanted the world to be shaped.  This is self-evident.  If we are Jesus’ disciples, then we carry on his work, but even more, we are filled with His Spirit.  We cannot separate our political views from Christ.

 

2.       We have to express our views with humility.  No person or political party or point of view has all of the answers or is 100% correct.  We have to hold our opinions admitting that we might be wrong.  Even if we make our assessment based on our understanding of scripture, we can’t hold that our personal interpretation is the full truth…that belongs only to God.  We risk making our beliefs and points of view an idol.  We have to start by admitting that those who think differently may very well be right on some aspects. 

 

3.      We practice grace in the expression of our political viewpoints.  Jesus never berated or made fun of others, even those he disagreed with.  Remember, he lived and died for them, too.  As Jesus’ disciples we live for those we disagree with, as well.  In fact as Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount, those who love their enemies or opponents shall be called “sons of God” (Matthew 5:43-48) 

 

I also offer the following practical approaches for voting this year:

  1. When you vote, you don’t have to see the person you are not voting for as enemy or evil or something polarizing like that.  Remember we have to model love of God and neighbor rather than the ways of the world.
  2. You don’t have to give up your thoughts or points of view, but see them for what they are…points of view.  Someone with just as much faith can see the same issue or candidate in a completely different way based on their faith.  Ground your decisions in your faith, but know that you don’t have a monopoly on God.  If we don’t heed this call, we make an idol of our personal views. 
  3. Remember that Jesus came not to elect Democrats or Republicans, but to create a new humanity in which Jews and Gentiles, Democrats and Republicans are one in Christ Jesus.  If we don’t live this, we cast aside the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 
  4. Say a prayer for the one you are not voting for, remember they are real people with families and hopes and dreams.  They too were made by God, they too are loved by God, and Jesus lived and died for them, as well. 
  5. Read Ephesians before you vote.  (This is a letter about God bringing two groups of people together, Jews and Gentiles, who had about as much in common as modern Republicans and Democrats). 

In the end, we each have our political sides and positions, but as the Church, we are a community beyond politics.  For me this means that in the end it is not political agreement that unites us, but rather the Holy Spirit…..In that case, maybe we ought to be able to sit around the table and discuss politics….as long as it is done with Jesus present at the table!

You are the hands and feet of Christ!

Rev. Brett

PS:  I’m Brett Opalinski, and I approve this message!

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