How should Christians engage in politics in a way that is consistent with their Christian faith? How should their faith influence their engagement in politics?
In our highly politicized culture, Christians will not agree on the right answers to these questions, and that’s okay.
Christians must remember, no matter where you live, your first loyalty is to Jesus, his church, and what he called “the Kingdom of God.”
Christians are not a monolith. Christians all have personal experiences that influence how we see the world. Our upbringing and life circumstances influence the issues we consider important. Moreover, life experiences shape how we understand what role our faith should play in influencing our political activism.
In 1984, the Assemblies of God offered Christian voters guidelines to help them think wisely about how to get involved in politics.
Dr. Daniel Isgrigg, a professor at Oral Roberts University,
People who reposted the principles this weekcalls them “a breath of fresh air in the current political climate.”
The guidelines are as follows:
- Patriotism, national pride, and Western culture should not be confused with Christian faith and practice.
- Do not confuse secular political activism with the purpose of the church, and do not confuse activism with witnessing and preaching.
- Let us maintain sincerity in our dealings with our opponents, without slander or false accusations. We must not view as enemies those who share our noble faith but who have different political views.
- Always try to verify information before accepting it as true or sharing it with others.
- Always seek to know and understand the candidate's position and based on that position evaluate the candidate on their ability to perform the duties and functions and on their integrity.
- Always seek to know and understand the issues, and do not escape this obligation by saying, “God will tell me who to vote for.”
- Always compare the candidate's position to the Bible, but only if the Bible addresses the issue. Don't force the Bible to address an issue the author did not intend to address.
- Do not vote for or work for a candidate simply because he or she professes to be a Christian.
- Don’t neglect your family, worship, prayer, and Bible study.
- Always support your leaders in prayer.
These guidelines are not rules, they are guidelines to help us participate wisely in politics.
But embedded in this list are some timeless truths to remember when engaging in politics, on social media, in relationships, and when voting as citizens.
1. Christian loyalty belongs to Jesus
Few would argue that it is a sin to love one's country or to be proud of the land one lives in. But Christians must remember: No matter where you live, your first loyalty is to Jesus, His Church, and what He called “the Kingdom of God.”
Yes, we are citizens of an earthly nation, but as the Apostle Paul reminds us, “our citizenship is in heaven.” Christians should not be indifferent to their communities and should seek the common good.
The Prophet Jeremiah
Wrote letters to exiles In Babylon for God:
“Build houses and live in them. Plant fields and eat the produce of them. Marry and have sons and daughters. Take wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, and let them have sons and daughters. Increase the population there, do not decrease it. And pray to the Lord for the peace and prosperity of the city where I have carried you captive, for as it prospers, you will also prosper.
Pursuing the interests of our communities, states, and nations is good for everyone, but Christians should not pursue any particular political outcome that conflicts with their Christian faith and loyalty to Jesus.
2. Love your neighbor
Most of the above guidelines reflect Jesus’ teachings about loving our neighbors.
Love your neighbors by not slandering or lying to those who hold politically different opinions. Love them by treating them with compassion. Love your neighbors by verifying the truth before sharing information. Love your neighbors by properly understanding the candidates. Love your neighbors by understanding the issues in the election, because it allows you to vote wisely.
The command to love one's neighbor was not new when Jesus taught it.
In fact, God had commanded the Israelites to love their neighbors thoroughly, and Jesus, drawing on the ancient wisdom of Judaism (Leviticus 19),
He taught the greatest commandment.
Many of the voting guidelines above
Leviticus 19:
- Section 11: “You must not lie; do not lie to one another.”
- Section 13: “You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him.”
- Section 15: “You shall not do injustice in court. You shall not show partiality to the poor or show favoritism to the great. But you shall judge your neighbor with justice.”
- Section 16: “You shall not be a slanderer among your own people, nor rebel against your neighbor's command.”
- Section 17: “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but reason frankly with your neighbor.”
- Section 18: “You shall not take revenge or bear any grudge against the children of your fellow man, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
3. Read the Bible, pray, and participate in Christian community
Two of the primary means of communication that God uses to speak to His people are prayer and the scriptures.
The above guidelines remind us that for Christians to engage wisely in politics, we must adhere to the core Christian disciplines of prayer, Bible reading, and worship.
Psalm 1 teaches Christians:
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the footsteps of wicked people, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the company of scoffers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on it day and night.
He will be like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither, and whatever he does prospers.
Biblical wisdom, the wisdom that comes from God, comes from prayer, the Bible, and fellowship with God through the church. Only as Christians pray, abide in the Bible, and are in fellowship with other Christians will they grow in God's wisdom.
As you head to the ballot box in November, please reflect on how the above guidelines can help you vote wisely and intelligently, and most importantly, remember who you are. In Christ.
