I scanned the news headlines, and read some of the reports as the candidates struggled to obtain the nomination early this year. As I observed their tactics I was struck again with the difference between the political world and the real Christian’s world.

Many Christians are set to argue for their candidate. First of all, this article is not about individual people and not intended to be political. I am not here to promote Democrat, Republican, or Independent—not even conservative, liberal, more social programs, or less spending. But, I would like to say this: Why can’t we leave the word “Christian” out of politics?

Here are some of the tools used in politics to defame the competition, and to promote self.

1. Bring up the past: If the opposition has ever failed, politically or personally, make sure people find out and use it to make them look unreliable and ridiculous.
2. Inspect their credentials: Call into doubt that the individual can do the job while loudly proclaiming that you have what it takes.
3. Call attention to their social standing and question whether they can relate to the general public or to certain ethnic or economic groups.

Is this Christian behavior? Let’s consider the Christian’s handbook, the Bible, for instructions on daily, personal living.

1. Philippians 2:3: “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
2. Ephesians 4:31, 32: “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
3. Titus 3:2: “To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.”
4. 1 Peter 3:9: “Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.”

I know this is not the recipe for successful political campaigning, but it does remind me why Christians need to be busy about the work of Jesus’ kingdom and to leave earthly governments to others. For something to be truly Christian it must be done Christ’s way.

From: Reaching Out

Language

English

Number of Pages

1

Author

Clay Zimmerman

Publisher

Reaching Out

Topics

Politics