One question many believers ask is whether Christians have any business even being involved in politics. Some don't think Christians should hold political office; some don't think Christians should even vote. What guidance do the scriptures offer on this question?
"Love your neighbor as yourself" (Lev 19:18).
If you love your neighbor, you want the best political system for him, the best laws for him. That must include the wisdom that comes from God's word and a Christian worldview. Our Creator and Judge has told us how to live our lives and what a society's values ought to be. If we aren't engaged in the political life of our nation, that wisdom will not be part of our system. Therefore we ought to vote and even to hold office so as to better love our neighbor through the government we build.
But what kind of government do we build? Do we need a big government or a small one? Do we need an activist government or a passive one?
"Love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:31).
Build the kind of government you believe will be the best for your neighbor.
Wait, no, what does that look like? What is the Christian view of taxes? Health care? Education? The environment? Immigration?
Ah, yes. The Lord has given us very clear instructions on this matter: "Love your neighbor as yourself" (James 2:8).
What tax policy will be the best for your neighbor? What health care policy will be best for your neighbor? What education policy will be the best for the children of your nation, resulting in the best future for your neighbor and his children?
The Lord has not told us exactly what tax policy is best. He gave you a mind to use to determine what you think will benefit your neighbor. Use your mind. Vote accordingly. If necessary, run for office on your conviction of what is best for your neighbor.
But if we just use our judgment on what is the best tax or health care or immigration policy, other people — other believers — may disagree with us. What do we do then?
Yes, that may happen. The Lord has given us very explicit instructions on how to deal with this situation: "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Rom 13:9).
You want to be believed when you say you have given the matter careful thought and are convinced that what you propose or support is, in your judgment, the best thing for everyone. Your neighbor wants the same thing. He doesn't disagree with you because he is less intelligent, lazy, greedy, or evil. He is not trying to destroy your country. He looked at the same world and came to a different conclusion. That happens. "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Gal 5:14).
Does that mean he is correct? No. He might still be wrong. But disagreeing with his ideas does not give us leave to denigrate his motives.
You're free to explain your view to your neighbor to try and convince him to see things your way. You should then be willing to have him do the same. Listen to him with the same care you'd want him to listen to you. Give his views the same thought you'd want him to give yours. Then do what you think best with the information you have.
Someone may think this is cheap. If you feel robbed because you expected and wanted me to lay out several scriptures that will guide our political life, I apologize and offer you one other scripture that really does speak to our topic:
"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you" (Matt 7:12).
What we believe politically is important. But the why and how is much more important.
Politics is a contact sport. It can get quite rough out there. If you choose to play, have fun and may the best team win! But this season always offers us many chances to choose to honor Christ. May we all be focused on that more than the short-term goals of our political team.
OK, I have actually written at length on several political issues. The landing page for that can be found here:
Can I Be Christian and Conservative?
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