Should everyone who wears the name of Christ be aligned on all topics? If we are completely led by the Holy Spirit, should we not come to the same conclusion on who to vote for? I used to think so, but not anymore.
Many years ago (when I was young and foolish) I suggested that a small group I was part of study a theological topic where we had strong differences of opinion. Our church taught baptism by immersion as part of the salvation process. One of the members of our study was very dogmatic that baptism is essential to salvation. The couple who hosted the small group strongly believed that salvation is through faith alone. Naïve college student that I was, I thought if we studied it with open minds, the Holy Spirit could bring us to one mind on the topic. I was wrong.
I also used to think that believers filled with the Holy Spirit should be able to be of one mind as to which candidate to elect for President of the United States. I was wrong about that also.
Our God is a creative God. He is a God of diversity. It is reflected in the universe He created. he created many different types of trees. He created a million species of insects. He created them all to be different, yet all working together in harmony to accomplish His purposes. What if our differences in political and theological viewpoints are also His way of accomplishing His purposes?
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
Romans 8:28-29 NASB
One thing I am certain of: He uses our differences to make us more like His son, Jesus. Just as the differences between a husband and wife help us to mature and smooth our rough edges, so to our differences with other believers help us to mature. What is the result of God’s “Working all things together for our good” mentioned in Romans? It is to be more like “the image of His Son!”
The message I heard in church this morning reminded me that Christ is what unites us. Believers have different viewpoints on the issues and have different priorities for which issues are most important. No candidate for office has ever had a perfectly biblical stance on all the issues. We need to give each other grace. We need to love each other even when we vote for different candidates.
It breaks my heart that the United States of America has come to the point where we are concerned about the possibility of violence over election results. Even worse, there are candidates who seem to be saying they might not accept the outcome if they do not believe it. If there are any voting irregularities, I pray they are resolved peacefully and equitably through the courts. I pray the media does not fan the flames of dissent. I pray the losing candidates accept the results and tell their followers to accept the results.
There is certainly also a Biblical call for believers to stand up for justice. Leading up to the election we can advocate for the candidate that we believe does this best. And if there is any questionable activity during the election, we can stand up for truth. But once all is settled, we must lead the way in being peacemakers.
By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.
John 13:35 NASB
Jesus said people would know we are His disciples by our love for each other. We demonstrate that by loving other believers who are different from us, whether the difference is race, ethnicity, political party, or something else. We can even have Chicago Bears fans and Green Bay Packers fans worshipping together!
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also. In addition to all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ, to which you were indeed called in one body, rule in your hearts; and be thankful.
Colossians 3:12-5 NASB
Please join me during this election in showing love to those who have different political opinions. Please join me in supporting the election results (once they are ratified), even if your desired candidate does not win.
I used to think that believers should be able to be of one mind about who to vote for if they were listening to the Holy Spirit. I am not certain of that anymore. But this I know for certain: God calls us to love each other despite our differences and God calls us to make peace between those who are at odds with each other. Whoever wins the election on Tuesday, those who wear the name of Christ will have a responsibility to stand up for peace and love.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Matthew 5:9 KJV