An examination of Matthew 10:2-4, and its historical context, would imply that Jesus’s response to political divisions was radically different than how people in the first century and today view such divisions. What are some specific points of application that will help us to navigate the choppy political waters that we find ourselves in?
The first point is to love our enemies, as Christ modeled for us and commanded us to do (Mt. 5:43-48). These next seven-plus months in the political sphere will likely increase in coarseness, brutality and one-upmanship. Then, mercifully, we should have a winner come November. In the interval, we as Christians will be tempted to demonize unbelievers (and other believers) who hold views different from ours. Our opponents may even hold views that we consider to be anti-biblical.
However, Jesus calls us to do something higher than engaging in caustic political conversations on social media, watching hours of polarizing left-leaning or right-leaning political news coverage daily, or even striving to win a political election.
He calls us to love the people that society says we should detest. He does not care if someone is a Republican, a Democrat or an Independent. What he cares about is whether that person knows him as their personal Lord and Savior. Remember that the person who has a different view regarding securing the southern border, for example, is a person whom Christ loved so much that he died on the cross to save them. Back away from the political battle for more than a moment and see the real battle that’s going on, a spiritual battle for the souls of people that has eternal consequences (Eph. 6:10-12).
Second, be salty! No, I do not mean to be rude. Christ has called us to be salt (Mt. 5:13). Salt has a distinct flavor; nothing tastes quite like salt. The world may be divided and lust after political power, but Christians are supposed to be different. We are supposed to walk in unity with one another and be focused, first and foremost, on the growth of the kingdom.
Apostle Paul admonished the Corinthians “that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment,” (1 Cor. 1:10). If we as Christians cannot overlook and respect the political differences that we have and still be unified under Christ, what type of message does that communicate to the world? Not a good one. The church will be just as divided as our society. We will have lost our saltiness.
During this election cycle, let’s rise above all the hate and division and embrace the way of Jesus. Doing so will ensure that God is in every aspect of our politics.
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