Love Even at the Polls
Philippians 3:20
Introduction.
What are the two topics that we shouldn’t talk about in polite discussion?
Religion and politics.
Since we’re in church, we are clearly going to talk about religion.
Since our religion ought to govern every aspect of our lives, it should also inform our politics (Eccl. 12:13).
So here we are, trying to navigate the minefield that is politics and what our attitude ought to be concerning this potentially volatile topic.
This is an election year.
More than that, our primary is on Tuesday.
People can get very ugly and unloving when certain political issues or candidates are under discussion.
And some religious issues are often turned into political issues.
Here are a few things we should remember in the polling booth and when it comes to our attitude toward others.
Our Relation to Government.
Our Relation to Each Other.
Our True Citizenship – may look at this tonight if we run too long.
Body.
Our Relation to Government.
Christianity arose in a time of severe government persecution.
Not only do we see our Lord crucified at the hands of the Roman government, but we see Jewish leaders persecuting the early Christians.
In Acts 3-4, the Apostles were brought before the council for preaching Jesus, threatened, and warned to stop.
In Acts 5, the Apostles were brought in again, beaten, warned and released.
It is through this that we are told that timeless principle: “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).
In Acts 6-7, Stephen was captured and stoned to death.
In Acts 8, many were imprisoned by Saul of Tarsus.
So far, this was all happening in Jerusalem.
In Acts 9, many in Damascus were almost imprisoned before something miraculous happened—Saul was converted.
In Acts 12, James brother of John was executed and Peter was imprisoned. He might have been executed, too, if he weren’t miraculously released.
That’s only considering the first half of Acts—Paul later suffered much persecution and resistance during his missionary journeys.
In all this, the church spread and grew.
Not only was there Jewish persecution, but there was Roman persecution, too.
During the time the Bible was written, you have persecution under Roman emperor Nero—he was burning Christians alive at his garden parties.
By the 2nd century, Tertullian wrote, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” – meaning the more we are persecuted, the more the church grows.
It was during such persecutions, that the writers of Scripture tell us how to interact with government authorities.
“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17) – pay your taxes, even to an oppressive government not aligned with your values at all.
“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities” (Rom. 13:1) – obey them, keeping in mind Acts 5:29. This passage tells us how government ought to work, though some have abused the privilege.
“Honor the king” (1 Pet. 2:17) – not only obey, but honor them.
“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, or kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (1 Tim. 2:1-2) – obey, honor, and now pray for them (only if there’s an R by their name?).
Our hope and prayer is that whoever is in charge will allow us to “lead a quiet and peaceable life,” and to practice true “godliness and reverence.”
We live in an unprecedented time in history.
In 1790, George Washington, our first president, called America “The Great Experiment.”
Never before in human history had their been a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
This was truly the first country to have our style of government—now it is the norm in the world today.
Monarchies and dictators are dying, particularly in the West, and where they do exist, their position is merely symbolic.
We actually get to have a say in who our government authorities are—unprecedented!
What do we do with that power? Does the Bible speak to that? Not directly, but as with anything, there are principles that can help us.
Three things to remember when we vote.
Be informed – know who you’re voting for, what they stand for, whether or not their policies would align with Christian values first where applicable and whatever else is important to you second (Prov. 18:17).
Do not violate your conscience – if you can’t in good conscience vote for a particular candidate because of their values, don’t. If you can’t vote for them without holding your nose to do so, maybe you should rethink the whole thing (Rom. 14).
Be respectful of others who disagree – remember the timeless principle that we all ought to practice, to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:39).
Our Relation to Each Other.
Remember the Restoration Motto: “In matters of faith, unity; in matters of opinion, diversity; in all things, love.”
While not a biblical quote, it is a principle we see in places like Romans 14.
Most political issues are not matters of faith.
Tax plans? Free college tuition? Building a border wall?
One could make an argument that some of them are matters of faith, but much of that rests with one’s opinion.
Sure, one can go a little too far in some of those areas, to the point of perverting justice and exploiting the vulnerable (Deut. 16:19; 27:19; Mal. 3:5).
While these are in the OT, they teach us principles on how to love our neighbor, that we should show no partiality (James 2:8-9).
But generally speaking most policies are not matters of faith.
There are, however, some policies that are matters of faith.
The biggest issue is abortion.
Most Christians I know who talk about it have a big issue with abortion.
And they should (Prov. 6:16-17).
Whose blood could be more innocent than that of the unborn?
But then when you look at the data, abortion rates have dropped considerably since 1990 when it was at its peak, particularly under the presidents that wanted to keep abortion legal.
The point is there are different strategies for dealing with such issues.
We can deal with it at a state level, have more pro-life judges on the courts.
There is great headway being made in some states on this issue.
Overall, let us remember the ultimate command: love one another.
The church is supposed to be made up of diverse people of all kinds of backgrounds.
That means we will have people of different political ideologies.
We are all to unite on our faith, but matters of opinion are our own.
I read of a kid who was visiting a church once who was worried that his parents were splitting up. The preacher prayed for him, and he took his seat. He happened to be wearing a shirt celebrating a particular president that wasn’t popular with most of the congregation. An older member walked by him and huffed, “We need to get you a better shirt.”
That kid may have never heard the gospel before, and that man may have shut the door before it could even be opened.
We need to be careful about the things we say and even share on social media. We don’t know who is listening, who is watching.
What’s more important? Sharing our political opinions or saving someone’s soul?
I’m not saying we can’t have political discussions, but make sure they are done with the love and respect that everyone is due.
Before saying it or sharing it, ask yourself, “Could this harm my influence for the gospel in any way?”
If the answer is yes, it’s not worth it.
Our True Citizenship.
If we recognize where our citizenship truly is, political matters on this earth won’t matter nearly as much (Phil. 3:20).
Our citizenship is in heaven—we are citizens of the kingdom of God.
We don’t vote on our leaders there.
Our King is Christ, and He reigns forever and ever, the King of kings.
The Philippians were Roman citizens, and as a rule, they were proud of their citizenship.
Paul reminds them where their true loyalties should lie.
Paul himself was a Roman citizen, yet he used it only to help him share the gospel with others, even kings and potentially the Roman emperor himself.
We are merely pilgrims in this world.
The kingdom we are a part of is spiritual, not of this world (John 18:36).
It has a King, Jesus.
It has a law, the New Testament.
It has citizens, and that’s us.
So what should matter to us?
One thing is what Paul said in 1 Tim. 2:2 – that we are able to live quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and reverence.
So let us make sure we vote for people who will allow us to worship and live in a manner pleasing to God.
Another purpose of government is to punish the evildoer and praise the good (Rom. 13:3-4).
So let us make sure we vote for those who will make sure justice is served, that the right people are punished for their wrongdoing, whomever they may be.
That’s who we should vote for—beyond that, I can’t say.
Conclusion.
I myself used to be much more politically vocal.
I had a friend and brother in Christ who I would argue with vociferously on social media and off about politics.
I knew nothing I said would shake his faith; he was a mature Christian.
He has since passed away, but despite how ugly our discussions got, I miss them.
Whatever the case, I was oblivious to how others might have viewed our discussions.
Who knows what damage we might have caused because of our very public arguments?
All I post these days are pictures of my kids, and even then not that often.
There are times when something baffling occurs in the news and I just have to post, but I don’t—the urge passes.
I’m not saying don’t make political posts, but always think two or three times before doing so.
In this crazy, mixed up political world, the perfect candidate doesn’t exist.
Don’t vote for someone if it will violate your conscience.
But vote for someone that will not pervert justice and that will let us worship in the right way, letting us be.
Beyond that, vote for one that aligns with your political values the most.
After all, political values are often matters of opinion, and we shouldn’t be judged on those.
Above all, love one another and don’t harm your influence for Christ.
The gospel is for all.
It doesn’t matter your political affiliation.
What matters is your religious affiliation.
Are you affiliated with Christ? You can be today!