As a Christian, are you troubled by the witness of “Christians” in today’s political, social, and economic climate? I know I am. I am convinced that while most Christians can read, that reading has not led to a real relationship with God. They know what the Bible says, but they don’t know the meaning or the purpose of those words. Most importantly, they don’t know God. They only know of Him.
Just knowing that there is a living, loving God does not produce the righteousness of God. When I see “Christians” caught up in partisan politics, rhetoric, and nonsense, it is clear that they don’t know Him. Religious persecution is nothing new. Neither is doing things contrary to who God is in the name of God.
The Nature of God: Love
The basic tenet of Christianity—and the very nature of God—is love. How is it that “Christians” can bypass, overlook, or disregard who God is and how that relates to being a Christian?
When you take away the worldly nonsense, Christians are not left-wing or right-wing. They are left with what is right: justice, mercy, and walking humbly with God.
Christians don’t define what is right or wrong. They exemplify who God is—love.
So what is love? First, love is who God is. Love is what God has shown and extended to all of humanity, both the good and the bad. Love is what God commands and what Jesus modeled. God has shown and given us what He requires of us.
God showed the world His love in sending His only begotten Son to die for us, and Jesus showed His love in laying down His life for us (John 3:16; John 15:13).
Yet today, we aren’t willing to lay down our political party association for God, nor our personal beliefs or opinions for Him—or for one another.
Love is not an abstract notion—it is made visible in our daily walk.
Spirit-Led Living
Good, “God-fearing Christians” often forget about love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—the fruit of God’s Spirit and the mark of true Christian living (Galatians 5:22–23).
In addition, they forget the hallmarks of love: patience, kindness, not being boastful, proud, or rude; not demanding your own way; not being irritable; not holding grudges; not supporting injustice but rejoicing in the truth. Real love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance (1 Corinthians 13:4–7).
Where Do You Stand?
Let’s be done with politics and be about kingdom living and shining our Christian light in this dark world. Let’s forget left-wing and right-wing rhetoric and cling to the words of life. Let’s put the American flag in perspective, lay down party affiliations, and lift high Christ’s bloodstained banner. That alone draws the lost to the God in whom we truly trust.
So where do you stand? With the left? With the right? Or with Christ?
I implore you, by the mercies of God, to stand up and take a stand. The world doesn’t need cultural Christians—it needs Christlike ones.
Will the real Christians please stand up? (Romans 12:1)
Scriptures for Reflection
“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” —1 Corinthians 13:4–7
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” —Galatians 5:22–25
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him.” —Romans 12:1
