It never ceases to amaze me how passionate some people are about politics. These people go to great lengths to promote their party, views or the candidate they are backing. For the last six months, I have seen and heard more about politics and this election than I ever could have imagined. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with politics and voicing your opinions and concerns. In fact, although another election has come and gone, there are a couple of lasting lessons that we can learn from this election that we can use in our Christian walks.
First, if we Christians were as vocal and passionate about Jesus Christ as we are about our party or candidate, we would be sharing the message of Jesus with our friends and neighbors whether they wanted to hear about it or not. I love the passion that some people have for politics. All they want to do is talk politics. They want to tell you why you should vote for their candidate whether you want to hear it or not. They are passionate about politics and elections. I just wish they had the same passion about sharing the love of their Savior Jesus Christ.
Jesus commanded His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19-20). In order to do this, the disciples had to share or vocalize their feelings and the message of Jesus to others. They literally had to be witnesses for Jesus. Jesus did say, “You shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). As Christians (followers of Christ), we should be going around sharing the love and message of Jesus with others. We should have a great amount of passion and be very vocal about the sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf. If some Christians had the same passion about Jesus as they do about politics, they would be sharing the message of the Savior even if people did not want to listen.
Second, if we Christians paid as much attention to the people we hang around as we do to the candidates we endorse, we would have more positive, encouraging influences in our lives. When election time rolls around, a lot of Christians (at least I would hope) research their candidate so they know his or her views and what he or she stands for. This way they are able to make an informed opinion as to whether or not this person deserves their vote.
When it comes to the people we hang around we should be doing the same thing. We should get to know (research) them. We should learn about their views, what they stand for, etc. We should want to know how they live their lives. In the process if we find out they are not people who are going to help build us up, then maybe we should walk away. Paul said, “Do not be deceived: Bad company corrupts good morals” (I Cor. 15:33).
In politics, an informed voter will walk away from voting for a candidate when they realize this candidate is not the best choice for our country because of his views. Why don’t we do the same thing with the people we hang around? If a person is not positive, encouraging, and exemplary of Christian values, perhaps we should turn and walk away. If this person isn’t going to help me be a better child of God, stop endorsing them by hanging around with them. After all, their bad influence can corrupt our good morals and values.
Even though another election has come and gone, the lasting lessons we can learn from it can carry over into our Christian walk. Just as people who are passionate about politics are willing to talk about their candidate and research his views and values, we Christians should be willing to do the same when it comes to our friends and their relationship to Jesus Christ. After all, it just might affect not only their eternal destiny, but our eternal destiny as well.
Now that’s Something to Think About! Justin
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