The Political Divide in the Body of Christ

There are two things most people agree not to discuss when meeting new people or in a group setting: religion and politics.  For many people who declare their Christianity, they are a stronger political party person than a Christian.  This is viewed by people even within one church, dividing during election times over which party is best suited for the office being run for election.  Christians must remember that they should be Christians first, then see through their political lens.  Being a disciple of Jesus Christ will make the right or left disappear and leave the policies that either align with the Bible or are against the Bible’s commands.  The emphasis should not be on a party or candidate who is imperfect, but on the perfect Word of God and the perfect man, Jesus Christ.  Let’s examine the Word of God to see what it has to say about this and not take the author’s word for it.  Jesus says to seek the kingdom of God first, and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Matthew 6:33).  This verse lets readers know from the mouth of Jesus that in everything in life, people, especially Christians, are to seek God first, and then other things will be added to them.  This would include the wisdom of who aligns with God and who doesn’t to be a good leader or not.  Jesus also said His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36).  In a time of seeking natural things, many Christians fall for the trap of being so naturally minded that they miss the heart of the kingdom of God, being witnesses of Jesus Christ to everyone around them by sharing the Word of God for eternal salvation, healing, and earthly help.  This is important because Jesus taught everyone how to pray by saying God’s kingdom come, His will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven (Matthew 6:10).  Christians should be holding to the principles and doctrines of the kingdom of God here on the earth, not holding to a particular party’s voting routine.  In Matthew 5:10, Jesus discusses the people who are blessed for being persecuted for righteousness’ sake, not for their political views.  More often than not, people voice their political views far above their faith in God, faith in Jesus, and faith in the Word of God.  This is backwards according to the Word of God.  For some, they may argue that religion has no place in politics, but that is incorrect.  Romans 13 discusses those who are in governing authority, given by God, to hold the standard of what is right, not according to the people’s views but according to God’s Word as His servants (Romans 13:1-4).  The heart behind the proper balance of this is to be a Christian with a worldview of how God sees things, then personal beliefs filling in the smaller gaps of the best ideas or methods to get God’s will done in the earth.  When Christians miss this point, division comes based on earthly principles or ideologies, even in the body of Christ, and the spiritual enemy of God loves it so.  No matter what nationality a person may be, a Christian’s citizenship is not in this world, but in Heaven (Philippians 3:20; Ephesians 2:19).  The Apostle Paul even says to seek the things that are above, of God, and not of the things of the world’s system (Colossians 3:1).  This would include God’s policies and views as opposed to one political party or another.  May Christians be more God-like in their worldview to vote based on the Bible and less like the political party desiring their vote for power.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church, visit agcsparta.org.