Articles
Do Not Divide the Family of God
As I write this, we are less than two weeks from our national election. For many, this is an agonizing and anxious time. It is challenging because politics has divided families. Some families are so bitterly divided they refuse to associate with one another. Many people have lost friendships over the differences. The virulent anger and hatred of the divide are not new. This also occurred during the Adams and Lincoln administrations. People are exhausted by it.
When Jesus and His apostles revealed the gospel to the world, there were no democracies. God chose to send His Son when Rome ruled the world through an emperor. Rome brought peace and stability to the world, allowing the apostles and evangelists to spread the good news. Christians were expected to obey the Roman government even though it was hostile to them. Paul wrote, "Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God. So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God's command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves" (Rom. 13:1-2 CSB). In the late 1990s, I had a chance to observe Christians put this into practice in Russia. Even though an oligarchy rules Russia, Christians submit to the government.
Americans live in and are governed by a democratic republic. We have the opportunity and right to vote for our leaders. It is a relatively new form of government when one considers the history of the world. Christians in the first century had no say in who ruled the nation and the world. Paul and the other apostles expected Christians to submit to the laws and rulers of the empire so long as their laws did not contradict the law of God. As far as I can determine, the Bible does not say one form of government is superior to another. If anything, it simply says Christians are citizens of God's kingdom, and we should live our lives accordingly (Phil. 3:16-21; 1 Pet. 2:13-17).
Individual Christians living in America have a choice. They can participate in self-government or abstain as they think best. Some will abstain, believing God controls the nations, and submit to whichever candidate and party wins (Psa. 47:8; Isa. 40:15; Dan. 4:34-35; Acts 17:26-27). Others will vote and choose between candidates, believing God controls the nations. As is usually true, people vote their conscience, and will select based on their best judgment. Some brethren will question the sincerity and faith of those who vote differently than them. That is a problem.
Paul asks this question of Christians who are divided over opinions; "Who are you to judge another's household servant? Before his own Lord he stands or falls. And he will stand, because the Lord is able to make him stand" (Rom. 14:4 CSB). I may not understand how a person can vote for and support a particular candidate while being faithful to God. I need to remember that I am a servant of Christ, and so is the brother or sister with whom I disagree. There is every possibility that the Lord may disagree with my choice. It is also possible that he may disagree with both of us. It is also possible that the Lord sees the choice as inconsequential because He rules over the nations. What matters is "the kingdom of God...is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Rom. 14:17 CSB). Judgment is reserved for Christ Jesus our Lord, and "we all will stand before the judgment seat of God" (Rom. 14:10 CSB).
As we close this election season, we must remember that we should neither use nor allow our political opinions to divide the church. "So then, let us pursue what promotes peace and what builds up one another, do not tear down God's work...Whatever you believe about these things, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves" (Rom. 14:19-20, 22 CSB). In making your choice, do not violate your conscience in choosing whether to vote or in whom you vote for or against because; "everything that is not from faith is sin."
Paul warned the Corinthians, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple” (1 Cor. 3:16-17 ESV). By keeping our political opinions to ourselves, we can avoid damaging the church and accept one another as brothers and sisters. It is the will of God that His people submit to the governing authorities. "Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor” (1 Peter 2:16-17 ESV)
Do not divide the family of God.
