Election Day

Is there ever a day when our differences are more evident than on election day? I mean…MY WORD. And I’m not talking about the population in general. There are strong active believers in Christ whom I’m almost positive would come to blows if left in the same room for just a minute too long. There are wise, God fearing believers on seemingly opposite ends of the spectrum. All it takes is one quick trip to Facebook to find a slew of mostly well intended yet understatedly divergent opinions. So this online community of “friends” perhaps has less in common then we originally thought (although “The Office” every Thursday night seems to still remain what binds us all together).

As I ponder this reality, a guy by the name of Paul comes to mind, who happens to shed some great insight and wisdom about this phenomenon. He never made it to CNN or Fox News, but you can catch some of his thoughts in the New Testament. And yes…I am well aware that Paul did not have the privilege of Facebook. Paul writes to a group of people in Ephesus who had profound differences that extended so far beyond our own political understanding. The city of Ephesus was a diverse commercial urban center of the province of Asia. While in this city, Paul encountered diversity of thought, culture, customs, and religious belief, and was able to preach the news of Jesus Christ for about three years. In the midst of Roman political and military dominance, this was a politically charged time if there ever was one; complete with the propaganda that we have somehow managed to carry on so effectively through the ages. And yet…the gospel of love, grace, and transformation encompassed by who Jesus was, and is, reached beyond all odds and penetrated the hearts of many Jews and Gentiles in the city.

The news of Christ began to transform lives, but not without opposition. There was such anger and fear of something that would challenge there system of belief that a riot broke out, and Paul moved on shortly after. Take, if you will, the differences and conflict of current day republicans and democrats, and multiply them by 1,000, and you just might start to scratch the surface of deeply ingrained discrimination, fear, and even hatred among the Jews and the Gentiles in Biblical times. So let’s put our differences in perspective for just a moment. It is to the believers, both Jew and Gentile, in this city that Paul writes these words:

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one spirit- just as you were called to one hope when you were called- one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” -Ephesians 4:1-6

Sound like it might be relevant? A challenge for sure, but one that we are called to regardless of our political preference. As a pastor I have the responsibility of steering clear of the debate that apparently divides believers like oil and water. I did feel compelled to pray this scripture for all of us today before more damage is done in the name of Christianity. My prayer for all believers regardless of our various political agendas is that we can get over ourselves (myself included) and find our unity in the grace of Jesus Christ. If you are reading this and you are not a believer in Jesus, please allow me to apologize for any hateful things that have been said in this political season under the guise of Christianity. The real message of Jesus continues to be one of grace, love, and peace.