Election Season: A Christian's Guide to Faith Over Politics

Are You Ready to Navigate Election Season with Faith and Integrity?

As this crazy election season hits high gear, the noise of political pundits, party loyalties, and fiery rhetoric can easily drown out the voice of our true guide should be. For those of us who follow Jesus, our North Star should be a higher calling and deeper wisdom than the politics of the day. Buckle up as we explore how political Jesus invited his church to be.

The Church has a Role Beyond Sunday Morning Worship

Rick Warren recently said, COVID revealed a fundamental weakness in the American Church. The sad reality is that most churches only have one purpose for their existence: worship.

When covid hit for most churches, worship went away and with out worship you’ve got nothing. Ouch, sad but true! Oceanside First Presbyterian Church, with its plan to reach, teach and serve with Grace Truth and Love, didn’t just survive the pandemic—it thrived. We have always known that church is was was more than just a Sunday morning commitment. This holistic approach is a wake-up call that our faith should extend beyond Sunday services and into every part of our lives.

Choose Biblical Values Over Political Agendas

Warren also gave a stern reminder: “Too many Christians are making decisions based on political values rather than biblical values.”

Let’s be real—our primary identity should be in Christ and His unshakable Kingdom, not in any political party. Remember, “Every dictator dies. Every president gets out of office. The Church goes on.” Now that's perspective. We all get to chose where our political views fit in our lives. Everything should be down stream of your faith in Jesus, sadly people often elevate their politics above their faith.

Align Your Life with God’s Will

We are called to align our lives with God’s will and pursue excellence in everything we do.

Andy Stanley says, “Faith in God and trust in His plans are crucial for achieving success.”

Especially during these politically charged times, setting our priorities according to God’s guidance ensures our actions and decisions reflect a commitment to Kingdom values. So taking on Kingdom values means being above the fray of politics and having the mind of Christ when we chose to be an influence on these earthly kingdoms.

Embrace Jesus’ Radical Politics

Eugene Peterson once said, “The gospel of Jesus Christ is more political than anyone imagines, but in a way that no one guesses.”

The politics of Jesus, as outlined in Matthew 25 and the Sermon on the Mount, focus on caring for the sick, poor, imprisoned, and immigrant. Jesus judges nations based on these criteria. Our thoughts and actions, much like the mark of the beast in Revelation, should be influenced by Christ’s example rather than the world’s power struggles.

Live Out Kingdom Values in Practical Ways

To truly embody the politics of Jesus, we must serve our communities, especially the most vulnerable. Warren advocates practical measures like food distribution and caring for our neighbors' safety. It also means committing to unity within the Church, overcoming the divisiveness often fueled by political discourse. As Warren reminds us, our character should reflect Jesus’ teachings from the Sermon on the Mount.

Reflect Christ in Your Politics

Brian Zahnd challenges us to choose the way of Jesus over political power. He reminds us, if we believe Jesus is found in the sick, poor, imprisoned, and immigrant, then how we treat them with our politics is how we treat Him. This shifts our focus from partisan politics to the compassionate, inclusive, and justice-oriented politics of Jesus.

Conclusion: A Call to Holiness and Unity

As we step into the voting booth, let’s remember that our ultimate allegiance is to the Kingdom of God. Our actions and decisions should be guided by principles of holiness, sincerity, and grace, as Paul encourages in Romans 12:2 and 2 Corinthians 1:12. By prioritizing biblical values over political ones and serving our communities with Christ-like love, we can navigate this election season with integrity and unity, reflecting the unshakable Kingdom of God in everything we do.

A few questions to get you thinking...

• How are you actively serving your community beyond Sunday worship, and how can you integrate the principles of ministry, mission, fellowship, and discipleship into your daily life?
  

• In what ways might your political decisions be influenced by partisan values rather than biblical values, and how can you realign your choices to better reflect the teachings of Jesus?
  

• How can you foster unity within your church community during this election season, and what steps can you take to demonstrate Christ-like love and compassion to those with differing political views?