Before I start, I like the featured image. I had the privilege of taking that picture myself when my father surprised me with a trip to Washington D.C. my junior year of high school to take a tour of colleges when I was looking at majoring in political science and going into politics.
I have not done much writing lately, just because my life has been so hectic and up in the air. However, this election and everything that comes with it (debates, social media posts, etc.) have been pathetic and embarrassing for America and for Christians. I can no longer stay silent. As Christians we must remember that we are citizens of heaven and children of God before we are citizens of America.
I find myself saddened at the lack of representation we Christians are making for Christ with our words and actions. Honestly, it seems as though people have treated this election more like cheering on a sports team than determining what is best for our country. This caused a divide among the country and among friends. People cheered for their supported a person, or the concept behind that person, more than considering what each politician stood for. They blindly fought for them with most not being fully aware of what each candidate stood for or could bring to make them a boon to the country. All the while, their faith and living it out was shoved to the back burner.
Each day I witnessed my friends, my brothers and sisters in Christ, attacking each other. One brother would post a condescending post about how anybody who supported a certain candidate also supported blah blah blah (fill it in with death, racism, sexist, homophobia, atheism, etc), which is very insulting. Then an upset person, who felt victimized, would comment why the other person was wrong in their beliefs followed by an insult. Instead of knowing the person they stood for, they attacked the other person's character, a logical fallacy known as ad hominem. I would try to question each person on what they believed and why so that I could get better educated on the matter. I felt the need each time to explain that my question was general and not facetious because those types of questions were ubiquitous.
I, as a brother in Christ, had to constantly remind the same people that their words should reflect Christ, especially when spewed on the internet for many believers and non-believers to see. My heart ached each time.
If you live in Arizona, we had multiple controversial topics around this voting period other than the presidential election. We voted not to legalize marijuana and to raise minimum wage, both I think are detrimental to the economy. The time leading up to those, even now that it is over, and probably in the coming months, people have attacked, are attacking, and will still attack each other for what they believe. People have a rationale for voting for what they did, just because I may or may not disagree with them does not make me nor them any less intelligent or any less Christian.
The reason you agree with something can have a backing in the Divine Theory ethical system, but theirs can simultaneously. What is different is what aspect in what their voting for, going back to the presidential election, was more significant to them. Each person has a deep theological conviction about certain matters that take precedence over others and you vote for a person or party that reflects those issues. People at the same church, who are devout Christians can vote for different candidates and all be motivated by their faith in Christ.
My pastor, Keith Schubert, shared some very wise words on August 28, 2016 in a sermon he gave during a series titled "Kingdom Culture" that I want to share with you:
"...We must not belittle those of 'that' political party... We must be careful not to demean our brothers and sisters by saying, 'if you are a Christian, how could you ever vote for them?'... What are we supposed to do when we don't see eye to eye politically with people? ...Actually begin genuine conversations and get to know each other... God may use these conversations to stretch and to grow your understanding of what it means to be a kingdom culture people in this environment...explain yourself in a way that honors Christ and listen in a way that honors your relationship with Jesus."
I, for one, am happy the election has concluded. Although neither of the mainstream candidates was one I stood by or supported, I must now stand by and support President Trump, our country, and God. We must seek God and His kingdom above all else, including political affiliation. Guess what? In His Word, God tells us to be submissive to governing authorities.Let us continue to pray for our new president; let us pray for his heart; let us pray for his words; let us pray for his actions.
"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed."
Romans 13:1-7, English Standard Version
Paul wrote this to the Christian in Rome in 57 A.D. while he was in Corinth for his third missionary journey. We, as Christians, should obey the government. God has authority over our leaders. We have to remember that, although we have free will, God is still sovereign. Our leaders, even President Trump, was put in authority because of God. Unless President Trump makes us do something that disobeys God, we are to respect and follow our leader whether you like him or not. It even says in there to not only do it to avoid God's wrath, but for our own conscience.
I know it was a rant, and I threw a lot at you that you may agree with or you may disagree with, but I want to leave you with another phrase from my pastor:
"We as followers of Jesus Christ, are called to have our faith shape our politics rather than our politics shape our faith"