Come Christian, Let Me Tell You the Truth

The time is coming more and more that the Christian in America won’t feel he can fit into either party. It is happening with a quickened pace.

Online, and it is very much an online conversation, prominent evangelicals of a particular set are now dogmatically insistent that no Christian can vote Democrat because of the party’s fealty to the abortion industry, let alone the transgender lobby. I don’t necessarily disagree, though I think if we define Christianity by political parties, we are not defining Christianity. Ironically, the other political party just turned a blind eye to redefining marriage with ten Senate Republicans going along for the ride and no organized leadership pressure to stop them. So your choices are to vote for the party that supports abortion or the party that opposes it, but funds it, and doesn’t fight against government attempts to redefine the Biblical sexual ethic.

Or, how about we try to elevate Christ outside of politics to such an extent that when people get into politics, they are persuaded by their values that they must guide themselves, their votes, and their communities by those values?

Here is the truth.

Neither party really likes you as a person of faith. One caters to you as a useful block of votes. But please don’t pay attention to that same party regularly and reliably funding Planned Parenthood for decades. You are useful as a vote, nothing more.

But to God, you are His agent to advance His kingdom on this planet. Your job is to glorify God, not a political party, which is why sometimes you have to speak inside your own tent to say very clearly that your side is wrong. God first. Everything else second.

Which leads me now to this.

We are in the holiday season. There are many who are, pridefully or out of shame, unwilling to admit their circumstances now require assistance. The economy has turned. People with busy schedules are overlooking others. If you are in dire need this season, please reach out to the Salvation Army or a group like Hungry 4 A Day. They can help and want to help.

Likewise if God has been generous to you, please consider being generous to others this holiday season. Perhaps invite friends to your house so they don’t have to have the burden of providing a meal or doing the cooking due to hard times, age, or other issues. Spend some time praying for friends who might be struggling with depression over current circumstances. Most importantly, remember to love your neighbor.

The holiday is a time for Christians to share their hope and joy. You can do that by sharing a meal, checking in on a friend to share a laugh, or inviting people around your table this holiday season.

We’re not going to solve the world’s problems by sharing political polemics and yelling about politicians. But we can be a part of solving the world’s problems by sharing Christ, even if only through loving our neighbors and being as generous as we can this holiday season.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Please consider a small donation to Hungry 4 A Day as the group works to cover the costs of Thanksgiving meals for those in need this holiday season.