CTZN : UNLOCKED
Photo by: Judah Mikah
Every election year is tense, but let’s add a virus, a lockdown, a battle of the masks, media induced fear over just about everything & a race war. This has brought on a rise in violence, hatred, abuse and suicide— just to name a few. I typically can’t wait for the election to be over so I get about 3 1/2 years to breathe before it all comes back and takes over again. Politics are hard on me because I can’t stand to watch people who love eachother suddenly hate eachother. I can’t stand watching kind & loving people turn into monsters & it’s incredibly frusterating to watch people who are supposed to represent Christ look nothing like Him.
I wrote CTZN over a year ago, just on paper to get some thoughts off my chest, then as I saw how this year was going down, I felt it timely to turn it into a spoken word. An overdose of politics is not healthy for me and yet I find myself occasionally surrounded by it and also very passionate about certain issues myself. Peace settles my heart and mind by the power of the Holy Spirit as he consistently points me to Christ’s sovereignty in the realm of politics and reminds me to pray for enemies of God… I was once an enemy of God who thought a certain way and it wasn’t until He changed my heart, mind and opened my eyes that I was able to see the depth of deception. This year has also brought a rise in boldness, darkness being exposed & truth being told. It seems to me that God has used all of what was meant for evil for good to purge his church and draw people to Himself.
There are those within the church who love politics and thrive in that arena. They might not grasp how toxic it is for others to be involuntarily immersed in it. If you get thrown into the deep end often, this might help you cope: God has called them there. He has given them abilities and gifts to both understand it and endure it. Let them be & pray for their minds to not be overtaken into a hyper focused political idolatrous rage fest. Meanwhile, prayerfully do your own research and go to those people when you have genuine questions. Their passion can be intense but if it stays surrendered to scripture, then just because it isn’t your assigned frontline doesn’t mean you shouldn’t support the soldiers fighting for you.
Speaking of war. If you are a professing Christian, you really should be aware of the evil taking place so you can be discerning and wise. There is a spiritual war swirling around you whether you ignore it or not. Don’t fall into spiritual apathy due to political allergies. We are supposed to be light in the midst of darkness but if you don’t have a clue how to define darkness, you risk blending in with it and even supporting it.
Do you approach politics as an ambassador of Christ? Do you approach opposing arguments “With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:2.) Reverent to eternal accountability? Or do you approach the polls as a representative of self— seeking temporary preferences based on your opinions and personal experiences instead of scripture?
Do you demand that people block & unfriend you if they disagree with you? Rather than display Jesus to them? Do you block and unfriend others— therefore blocking them from seeing any part of Christ in you by contradicting His character along with the entire fruit of the Spirit? This is what inspired the line “Your self defined “love” is now just a narrative that has become selfish and hostile...”
Does this verse ever come to mind when having politically charged conversations? “Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,” 2 Timothy 2:25
“The American dream is one of prosperity, and last I checked, that’s a false gospel.” This line of the poem has layers! But in context to politics, if someone you love suddenly dies, it won’t matter how they voted or how successful they were at climbing a corporate ladder. It absolutely WILL matter if they know Jesus as their savior or not. God doesn’t look at your resume for salvation He looks to see if the blood of his Son covers your sin. The American dream is a beautiful way of life that gives millions hope of independence and success. It can offer a great life but it cannot promise eternal life. So if you’re in a heated conversation with someone for awhile just take a quick inventory of topics discussed… have you shared the gospel with them yet?
I know how strongly we stand for certain things in politics and… WE. SHOULD. James 4:17 might hit ya in the heart: “Whoever knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.” In my opinion this could include voting.
Oh and this one! “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31. In my opinion, this also includes voting. BUT! Don’t vote just because I said that or because someone you know is bossy about it. And for the love, please don’t vote because a celebrity told you to. Vote WHEN you understand WHY you’re voting and WHAT you’re voting for. Honor God with your voice in the country He placed you in. If you want to impact culture in Jesus name voting is a great way to do that BUT it will not honor Him to vote because some person yelled at you about civic duties, it will honor Him to vote in alignment with his word. Fear God, not Facebook.
Believers: Let’s rally for prayer and repentance. Pray for enemies of God to become children of God. Pray for American citizens to become citizens of heaven. Pray for our leaders, regardless of political party.
Repentance. Look no further than anger/actions/words toward an image bearer of the opposite political party. We know God calls hatred in the heart “murder.” “Everyone who hates his brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.” 1 John 3:15. There is room for passion and righteous anger. Just keep in mind the only thing that separates you from that person you’re disgusted by, is Christ.
If you don’t know Jesus and you happen to be reading this, this part is for you: Think you’re good & don’t need a Savior? Look no further than your anger/actions/words toward a friend or family member of the opposite political party. God calls hatred in the heart “murder.” “Everyone who hates his brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.” 1 John 3:15
The hatred is sin. Just as a criminal is guilty in a court of law, we are guilty of sin in the eyes of a Holy God. God so loved the world, though… that He sent his son to pay our fine. He took upon himself OUR death penalty on the cross. Turn it all over to him, forgiveness, peace and eternal life can only be found in Christ alone. “If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9
A very important election is happening. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Christ.
His will be done.
“Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:20
CTZN : UNLOCKED