On the 2024 Elections, Part 4

On the 2024 Elections, Part 4
Thursday, November 21, 2024 by Dr. James W. Walraven

How are we, as Christians, to repond to the elections and the political process?

First, we must jettison allegiance to any specific political party. On one level, it is understandable why most conservative Christians have embraced the Republican party. From the woke ideology, to Kamala Harris’s remark that if someone believed in “King Jesus” they were at the wrong convention, Christians would tend to avoid the Democratic party. Democrats have made it clear that Christians aren’t welcome.

But how often have Republican candidates manipulated Christians as a means to implement their own unbiblical goals? Ultimately, neither political party is the answer. Neither the Democrats nor the Republicans can truly solve the sin issues that exists within human hearts. Only Jesus can. Besides, what passes politically as “American Christianity” often has very little to do with what the Bible actually says. The “American way of life” does not equal Biblical Christianity.

Second, we must jettison all the false preachers and teachers that have so often influenced us. That includes some very popular big names. As 2 Timothy 4:3–4 warns us, people will gather to themselves false teachers who’ll tell them what they want to hear. It is very tempting to listen to someone who says that my particular sin is ok, whether that is a free license for my sexual sin of choice, or to get rich by any means possible, or even the direct denial that we need salvation through Christ. None of that is biblical Christianity.

Third, as Christians, we must live differently from the culture. Jesus told us to love our enemies, to pray for those who persecute us, to do good to those who hate us, to bless and not to curse. Do we?

Fourth, we must remember that every person is made in the image of God. Every person is valuable. It doesn’t matter what the sin of choice is, how badly they currently may be marred by the same. God loves them, and so must we.

Fifth, we need to remember, as Ephesians tells us, that we don’t wrestle against people, but spiritual authorities and powers. People aren’t our enemy; the spiritual forces that blind them to their true condition, are.

Sixth, “Christian legalism” in regards to people and their sin, does not help. God delights in freeing individuals from their sin. That happens by His grace (yes, repentance is involved), not our finger pointing or tongue wagging. Being honest about the consequence of sin matters, but are we responding to people with gentleness and respect (see 1 Peter 3:16)?

Seventh, we must take Romans 13:1–3 to heart, that all authority is established by God. All means all. We are to live in subjection to them and not resist them. That includes those who we may strongly disagree with, and decisions we may disagree with, though our first obedience is to Christ. Even in the United States, while leaders may be “elected,” in reality they are still appointed by God.

For some of us, that might require an attitude shift. Numerous posts over the past few years, especially during Covid as well as the Obama administration, come to mind. In some Christian circles, even raising Romans 13:1–3 can elicit angry partisan responses. As previously mentioned, what passes for American Christianity does not equate to biblical Christianity.

1 Timothy 2:2 tells us to pray for our governmental leaders, for those in authority. Do we?

1 Peter 2:21–23 serves as an excellent summary: “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you can example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously.” (NAU)

How are we living? The desires many people in both political parties have for reconciliation and peace are real. Those desires can only be met in Christ. May we, as Christians, live in accordance with how Jesus has taught us to live, and may we not respond to the culture in kind, a culture that is under the control of dark spiritual forces.

If we live according to Christ, we have a wonderful promise, Philippians 4:7 (NAU): “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

May we demonstrate Christ’s love and peace to our country, a country that desperately needs it. May we remember that our citizenship is first and foremost in heaven, not here.

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