As I write these thoughts, the national election has not yet happened.  I do not know what the outcome will be, but I am concerned about what will happen – between neighbors, coworkers, friends, and family.

I believe that it is important to utilize the freedom we have to vote.  And for Christians, I believe that God and His Word should be our guide on how to vote.  However, I have noticed many people of faith (on both sides of the political spectrum) sounding more like party activists than children of the King.

We are clearly told in Philippians 3:20 that for Christians, “Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”  We live here and should do all that we can to honor God here, but this is only a stop on our path.  We have an eternal home in Heaven, and we must make sure that our eternal citizenship takes higher priority than our earthly citizenship.

Sadly, there are many people who invoke the name of God while spewing hate, condescension, and division (again, on both sides of the political spectrum).  What do you think God thinks of that?

Jesus was once asked what the greatest commandment was – what is most important to live out.  And He replied in Mark 12:30-31: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.  The second is, Love your neighbor as yourself.  There is no other command greater than these.’”

If you are a child of God, these principles of life are still just as valid for our lives.  We must love God – which means living for Him, obeying Him, and honoring Him.  We also must love our neighbors – which means that we should not condone sin but should love the person.

I think we often forget that Christians have not always lived in places with a lot of political and religious freedom, and many do not today.  In fact, history shows that Christianity has seen massive expansion under regimes that were (and are) hostile to the faith.  The world will not know that we are His by our yard sign or political posts; it will know that we are His by our love for others (my paraphrase of what Jesus said).

Be grateful that we have freedom to vote and have differing views.  Be grateful that we can speak what is on our minds.  However, be careful that we do not abuse those freedoms by ignoring what God desires of us (and even commands us to do).

No matter what the outcome is, God is still on the throne.  Let us not forget that.

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