I was watching a video that greatly troubled me the other day. It was a panel of Christian authors and politicians discussing the state of the church in America these days. Nothing they were saying was all that shocking to me. It was the same old general complaints about people abandoning God (as they have always done) and people turning to selfish pleasures instead of Jesus (which they always do). They spoke of the corruption of today’s generation (I would remind us all that every generation is corrupt, read Acts 2:40) and then complimented on the righteousness of their causes. Now, these diatribes are not what troubled me, what caused me great concern was when the panel turned upon churches and leadership who refused to support the various political agendas permeating today’s society. They accused those clergy or congregations that did not engage endorse political candidates of leading their churches to the enemy’s camp (the enemy being the political party THEY didn’t agree with). What I heard was nothing less than a partisan divide of God’s Kingdom, all to appease a political leaning.
Let me be very clear dear readers, I have little faith in the political parties of our nation, mainly because they are composed of human beings. I truly believe that both Republicans and Democrats are doing things that go against the Will of God. If you are an individual who cannot separate your Savior from your political candidate, then I urge you to flee from the idol that has been created. Because there is only one Savior, and that is Jesus Christ. All others will leave you broken, disappointed, and eternally lost.
The truly heartbreaking part of that video was the fact that these brothers in Christ were doing their best to undermine the work of other Christians to validate their causes. This is a dangerous avenue for Christians to take because the Holy Spirit does not move within the division, the Spirit moves in the unity of God’s Will.
Now, I’m not saying that Christians can’t be political or involved in social causes. But all of those causes should be viewed through the lens of Christ as opposed to the distorted and biased lens of partisan politics. Think of it this way, it is one thing to say that our country needs to protect itself from those would would do us harm, which is the argument behind a strong border. But all too often the rhetoric turns to labeling those seeking asylum or better lives as enemies or people deserving our distance and hatred. Do you think Jesus does not dwell in the hearts and souls of those poor individuals? And what about the thousands of people and children who are trafficked within our borders? Why do we not talk about securing that problem? Is that not something we all could agree on?
Jesus told his disciples, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Christ reminded his followers that the work of God was Kingdom work, one in which universal benefit to all humanity prevailed. God has no borders, nationality, or political allegiances. The work we do as Christians and churches in our community is KINGDOM work, work that we can ALL get behind. We must beware of any movement or rhetoric that would divide the community of faith.
Division is the true enemy of God’s church, let us not be the cause of our destruction.
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Pastor Mike McVey
Minister – First United Methodist Church, Fairfield TX
ACS Chaplain – United States Coast Guard, Station Galveston TX
Cell: 919-935-2513
Email: pastormike@fumcfairfield.org
