Pre-Election Musings

“Am I leading a rebellion? My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight…my kingdom is from another place.” (Matthew 26:55, John 18:36, NIV 1984).

My Musings – “The things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs.” (2 Timothy 2:2–4, NIV 1984).

My musings are one of the ways that I “soldier [for] Christ.” For the most part I try avoiding getting embroiled “in civilian affairs” So, this will be my one and only blog about this year’s election.

My “growing-up” years included what many refer to as the “turbulent sixties.” Also considered by more than a few as the decade America lost its “innocence.” Three major assassinations, a war that divided a nation and violence that marred the efforts of those trying to bring an end to racial inequality in the country.

Richard Nixon’s (the 1968 Republican nominee for President) campaign slogan was “Bring Us Together.” In a touch of irony, he did exactly that early in his second term, as both Republicans and Democrats turned against him. He resigned in disgrace rather than face impeachment.

In those days, both parties were more “together” (centrist) than they were divided. Or so it seems in retrospect. This election cycle, if you can believe the media (and that’s hard to do), we face a choice between fascism and socialism. That no reliable or qualified men (or women) are on either ticket. The Democratic Republic is in grave peril.

What’s a Christian to do?

My Advice – I said all that to say this. Yes, as Christian we must be civically responsible and vote as we feel led. But far too many of us have lost sight of the fact that Jesus’ Kingdom is not of this world, and we want to “fight.” We must remember that “we [should not] live by the standards of this world. For though we live in the world, we do not wage war [fight] as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.” (2 Corinthians 10:2–4, NIV 1984).

Yes, we all want a better, more moral, and less divisive world. However, Christian nationalism will not bring Christ’s Kingdom to this world. Only the Gospel will do that. Not a politicized Christianity (or Christianized politics, if you prefer). In fact, in the end, Christianity will bring more division not less.

“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law [Democrats against Republicans] — a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household. Anyone who loves his father or mother [or country] more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:34–38, NIV 1984).

What are the weapons we fight with? Speaking the truth in love. Not lies and hate. Our platform is the Gospel, but not to establish an earthly kingdom. So, in the final analysis we must ask ourselves, which kingdom are we fighting for? In the meantime, we will have to “endure hardship…like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” Ultimately that will mean our country and the world will become more and more anti-Christian. Not less. Many of us “will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of [us] to death. All men will hate [us] because of [Him].” (Luke 21:16–17, NIV 1984).

Like Paul, let’s “fight the good fight.”