Ephesians 2:14-16 ESV

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility [15] by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, [16] and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

Confession time: I wrestle with my relationship to American politics. On the one hand, I believe that Christ is so much bigger than my country or my preferred political party. No matter what happens, God is still in control. If I am walking by faith, then I will recognize that political matters are relatively insignificant, ever-changing, and earthly. On the other hand, the other candidate said what?! That’s unchristian!

“True Christians cannot vote for THEM!!!”

There may be contexts where a statement like this is true, but even if it were, the very thought puts up a dividing wall of hostility in my heart based on something other than Christ. At the church in Ephesus in the first century, similar statements were spoken often. The specifics were different, but the sentiments were the same. “True followers of Adonai would never allow the uncircumcised to worship alongside the rest of us!” “I can’t believe they eat meat that’s been sacrificed to idols!” “They’re Sabbath-Breakers!”

The bitterness we hold in our hearts towards others who think differently has plagued the Church since the beginning. As we each struggle to love each other in spite of our differences, let us take note that the secular world is watching. However passionately and intensely we discuss our values, priorities, church policies, or politics with fellow believers, let us do so “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Eph 4:2-3)

I imagine some people responding: But pastor, how do I do that when my brother or sister is so obviously and totally wrong?! It is not easy, but it is simple: let your desire to maintain the unity of the Spirit be greater than your desire to be right. Let your desire for fellowship and a love for the kingdom be so strong that unity under the headship of Christ becomes the only dividing wall. This doesn’t mean that we ignore disagreements or pretend that important political matters are trivial. It means we remember to keep first things first. Glorifying God was, is, and always will be our greatest aim. The only true threat to democracy is the end of the unity of the Christian Church. If the body of Christ stays together through these crazy times, I expect we’ll see miracles, transformation, and revival in every corner of our hurting nation. So, hug someone on the other side of the aisle. Take them out for coffee or lunch. Pray for one another. Let the temporal powers that threaten to divide us fall by the wayside. Let’s be like Christ and make peace.

Prayer Focus:

Lord show me how to love those that have different theology than I do, that have different political ideologies than I do, that vote differently than I do. Lord help me to see them as you do, as people, as people in need of a savior and as people who are worthy of honor and respect because you decided they were worth it when you went to Cross. Lord replace my eyes of flesh with eyes of the spirit that see their value.