113 – Christian – “Are you saying Christians shouldn’t even vote?”
“Michael, I watched your Donald Trump, judging a tree by its fruit video, but you didn’t tell us what your position is on voting? Are you saying that as Christians we should not even vote?”
Political Distractions: Are We Losing Sight of the Heart of the Matter?
In a world consumed by political turmoil, it's easy for Christians to get caught up in the fray. We're told that voting is our civic duty, that we must engage in the political process to protect our values. But are we, as followers of Christ, called to be politically active, or are we citizens of a different kingdom altogether, who have been commanded not to involve ourselves in “civilian affairs” (2 Timothy 2:4)?
John 18:36 records Jesus' vivid words: "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight." This statement cuts to the core of our calling as Christians. Our allegiance is not to any earthly nation or political party, but to the kingdom of God.
The Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in Colossians 3:1-2, urging us to "set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God...Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." Politics, by its very nature, is focused on earthly things – power, control, and temporary solutions. As Christians, our focus should be on the eternal, on the transformation of our hearts and the advancement of God's kingdom.
This doesn't mean we ignore the world around us. We are called to be salt and light, to love our neighbors and seek justice. But true patriotism, as John Newton so eloquently stated, lies in "pointing out sin as the great cause and source of every existing evil" and interceding for our nation through prayer.
The danger of political involvement for Christians is that it can easily become an idol, a source of misplaced hope and division, distracting us away from what God truly cares about in our life. We begin to trust in human leaders and political systems to solve problems that only God can address. We become distracted from the true issues of the heart – sin, rebellion, and our personal need for a Savior.
So, let us not be deceived by the allure of political solutions. History has shown all such efforts to be futile. Let us instead fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Let us be citizens of His kingdom, living lives of prayer, repentance, and surrender to His will. There, and only there, will we find true peace and lasting hope which does not disappoint.
