Last night we had dinner with some new friends. We have been connecting online for about two years, and finally had the opportunity to meet. The conversation turned toward politics. Jenn talked about reading a book where the author surmised that Jesus was more liberal than the liberals and more conservative then the conservatives. I woke up thinking about this. As one who lived in a political system during his time on earth, Jesus never confused politics on earth with the Kingdom of Heaven. Never. His mission was people and relationships, not politics.
It was several years ago that a Christian friend first said to me: "I'm sorry, I disagree with you! I vote and live my life on [insert political party] values." The conversation was pleasant, but I remember looking at my friend in surprise. She said it with absolute surety and confidence. This was more than politics, this was her very identity.
Historically, confusing politics on earth with the Kingdom of Heaven is not new, but I still remember that I was shocked and troubled. I had not lived in the United States much, and this was my first direct encounter with the values of a political party being confused and entangled with the values of someone who followed Jesus. Since then, I have come to realize that almost every politician in the entire country has at some point uttered the words "I am a Christian" for political gain, and we buy into it with our souls. We sigh with relief and think "Okay then. Good! A Christian in the White House! Or in the Governor's mansion." We turn a blind eye to characteristics that are the antithesis of the teachings of Jesus. We say "Who am I to judge...!" Even as we've perfected the art of judging others.
The United States is in an interesting season. In three months we will be electing the next president of the United States of America. Social media and media in general are the only entities profiting from the debacle that is playing out in this election. Everyone else is losing.
Think about it - why are we participating in a game we are losing? A game where we are losing integrity, losing friendships, losing arguments, losing sleep, and slowly losing sanity.
We have bought into politics that reduce our complex humanity into a political identity and with it, a political war.
Here's the thing: as a Christian, using a political party to describe ourselves is shallow. Using a political party to judge or describe other people is also shallow.The idea that I, a complicated human being with all sorts of thoughts going through my head, would be limited to a political party is galling to me. The statement "you can't be a Christian and a [insert the party]" is reductionist and puts people into unreasonable boxes - boxes that include complex issues affecting human beings.
How and when did Christians in America begin to confuse who they are, as people made in the image of God, with the identity and characteristics of a political party? How did Christians come to see political parties as to express their Christian faith? It's mind boggling that we would think affiliation with a political party is the way to express the kindness of Jesus that leads us to repentance. It is head shaking to think that a political party is to the Kingdom of Heaven.
Republicans, Democrats, Green Party, Libertarians - they are created and designed by imperfect people who are all about politics on earth, not treasure in Heaven. They are not, and never were, designed to reflect Jesus or the Kingdom of God. And if you see any of these as more then systems designed by imperfect people, then I pray that God would heal your eyesight.
There will be a day when the Kingdom of Heaven will come, and on that day I know this- all the politics we fussed over, argued about, and condemned each other for will dissolve into nothing in the light of the Glory of God Himself.
Until that time, may we do justly, love mercy, vote wisely (and sometimes that means not at all) and walk humbly with our God.
