“For Christ also died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous” (I Peter 3:18).
Let’s apply this to politics. The right thinkers and the un-right thinkers. The democrats and the republicans. The ultra conservatives and ultra liberals. On which side is the line drawn for you?
To hone this thought down to its sharp edge, Christ sacrificed himself on a cross for the “wrong” side. Are you willing to sacrifice yourself for the wrong side, the side that doesn’t see things right? The side that is clearly destroying our world as you see it?
For those who claim to follow Christ; our exemplar died for his enemies. Even his “friends” who were about to abandon him at his most critical moments. Some friends!
Would you die as a Christ follower for your political adversaries? Would you make sacrifices to love them? If not, you are disqualified as a Christian voter.
Would you die as a Christ follower for your political adversaries? Would you make sacrifices to love them? If not, you are disqualified as a Christian voter. You may be a citizen who is voting by legal right, but your vote doesn’t cut mustard in the heavenly realm. Zilch, zero. Stop lying to yourself about what is important! Without cross-Love (love as demonstrated in the cross) our efforts have no spiritual payload.
I understand the American elections bring us to a historical juncture few of us have witnessed. For both sides, many hopes hang in the balance. It’s downright terrifying. But if we have no love, no redemptive prayers, no blessing for those we disagree with, we have chosen a lifestyle that is not aligned to the cross.
No cross-love means no pure gospel. No unification around the real message of who God is. Vote with an authentic heart, otherwise you may be making the “right” logical or moral choice with your vote but aligning with the agenda of spiritual powers that despise our world.
Hatred and scorn are far worse than a wrong vote, and they soil a good vote. Yes you can disagree with people and you can find wise ways to share your understanding of truth. But, don’t you dare despise and condemn your enemies until you can sacrificially love them.
Is this a stupid, impractical message for such an important election? Yes… but this is our true gospel. Do you have the guts to live it? If you want try, invite Holy Spirit right now to help you carve out a positive prayer for the party/parties you don’t accept. Don’t analyze, but love. And when love begins to lead you well, then analyze again with a more authentic heart.
If God’s people win an election without cross-love, there has been no real win and the spiritual fruit will not be sweet. Whatever side wins this election, the other 50% will be in a bitter moment. Our nation is fracturing, we are seeing this with skin color, political color and ideological coloring. We also need to recognize that King Jesus holds no loyalty to sides that don’t bow to the dominion of his cross. What color is your heart?