Should Differences of Opinions in Politics Affect Our Christian Beliefs?

I received an email from someone stating an interest in seeing an article about home church groups that shun members because they did not vote for a particular political candidate and regarding the politicizing of the recent pandemic.

 

My first thought is this, if professing Christians actually put Christ first in their life, and instead of looking at themselves and what he or she thinks, they should put their mindset as to what Jesus might say or do about a particular social issue.

In Matthew 22:15-22, it talks of a particular issue where the religious leaders question Jesus about paying taxes. The Jews were expected to pay taxes to help the Roman government. They loathed this tax collection on the grounds that the cash went straightforwardly into Caesar's depository, where some of it went to help the agnostic sanctuaries and the wanton way of life of the Roman gentry. Caesar's picture on the coins was a consistent sign of Israel's subjugation to Rome.

Jesus detected a trap, so He questions why they are trying to tempt Him. He kept away from this snare by showing that we have double citizenship (1 Peter 2:17). Our citizenship in the state expects that we pay cash for the administrations and advantages that we get. Our citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven expects that we promise to God our essential compliance and responsibility. This does not mean that we compromise our Christian conscience. We are to live according to the law of the land to which we reside.

But Acts 5:29 states, “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” The apostles knew their most important needs and issues. While we ought to attempt to keep harmony with everybody (Romans 12:18), struggle and conflict in this world and the authorities is around us and is sometimes inescapable for a Christian (John 15:18). There will be circumstances where we cannot submit to both God and man. Then we should submit to God and trust His Word.

 

Let Jesus' words give us encouragement.

Luke 6:22-23, “Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.”

 

 Not all Christians will agree together on every topic.

There are basically two types of Christians, liberal and conservative. We could say that these are the Christians who fall into a mentality of following a fellowship distinction or that of morality. You could also look at this as a matter of being accepted by all, which means one may compromise their views, or one may hold a bit firmer in their religious convictions.

I am not trying to insinuate or convince anyone to follow a particular political party. That is a matter between the individual Christian and his or her relationship with the Lord. As I have stated in my recent books, it is up to the individual Christian to dutifully study God’s Word, talk to the Father in prayer, and listen for the Holy Spirit to speak revelation of the Scriptures to you. I only present what I believe that the Lord has given to me during my time in study and prayer. We need to get back to the basics of God’s Word and what Christ has done and is doing for us. True Christian prosperity comes from a right spiritual relationship with the Lord, not in how big our church may be or in how financially wealthy we are. Lay up your treasures in Heaven, not here on earth.

 

Unfortunately, it is very apparent that too many Christians are becoming more concerned with pleasing themselves and others instead of pleasing God. I would recommend taking the time to read a book entitled “In His Steps,” by Charles M. Sheldon. His book is about a pastor who gave a series of sermons to his congregation revolving around the need for Christian’s to act regarding social issues. He based his sermons on 1 Peter 2:21, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.” Some of the characters in the book took a pledge, that before they decided about something, they would pray and ask, “What would Jesus do?” (WWJD) regarding their personal situation.

There is also an online article regarding the WWJD topic, “What Is the Origin of the Phrase ‘What Would Jesus Do’?”

 

Other views regarding politics and religion.

Here are a few online sources regarding religion and political issues.

Faith and Politics: The Influence of Religious Beliefs on Political Participation*

How Christians reconcile their personal political views and the teachings of their faith:

Religion and Politics

Americans Have Positive Views About Religion’s Role in Society, but Want It Out of Politics

 

What would America be without Christ?

What would America look like, if we were a nation without Faith?

Underwhelmed by “America without God”

Where are we without Christ?

An America Without Christ

A World Without Jesus

 

Some may question why I have posted those links. My answer, is to question ourselves and our personal walk with Jesus. I recently posted a blog about witnessing. What I did not write in that blog was, what a witness is. A witness is a person who sees an event. A witness means to have knowledge of (an event or change) from personal observation or experience. Now, why do I mention that? If we Christians would live our lives as Christ would have us to live, then there would be little to no reason for such hate and discontent in our society.

Christians have allowed the sin and transgression in our society to run rampant and get worse over the years. Here are my questions to all Christians, regardless of race, creed, or national origin.

1.      What do you think Jesus’ view on homosexuality is?

2.      What do you think Jesus’ view on transgenderism is?

3.      What do you think Jesus’ view on abortion is?

4.      What do you think Jesus’ view on any other sin is?

 

If you can truthfully answer those questions according to God’s Word, the Holy Bible, then you who profess to be Christian, a person who follows the teachings of Christ, does your answer to those questions differ from those of Jesus? If so, then why? I am not judging anyone. It is not my place to do that. I am only trying to point you toward God’s Word.

Matthew 7:1-3, “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?”

John 8:7, “So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”

 

Pray! Do your Bible research. Look at various Christian Biblical commentaries. What does the Word of God tell you?