Politics as the New Religion

I have been sitting on these feelings for far too long as I personally believe politics has no place in Christianity. However, as I see the world changing around me I feel the Holy Spirit calling me to stand up for for truth. There is a division growing within the church and it is dividing Christian followers. Our politics have begun to shape the viewpoints of Christian believers. There are now “liberal” congregations and “conservative” congregations. How did these labels start to change our Christian beliefs? Aren’t we as Christians to be united as one body?

 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. 1 Corinthians 1:10

Instead we have allowed separation to grow among us by viewing Christianity through a political lens. Satan is dividing us from within, using the new religion of politics. We go to church and read the gospels but we have allowed our interpretation to be colored by Fox News, MSNBC, or our preferred liberal or conservative podcaster. We choose the source that feed us the rhetoric that we long to hear.

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, ⁴and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 2 Timothy 4:3-4

We believe we stand for “good” and they stand for “evil”. We look to our political ideology to determine how we should “fight”evil, and we look to political leaders to save us. Is this not blasphemy? Is this not idol worship? What better way for Satan to destroy the church than from within.

Both side likes to claim the moral high ground, each pointing to the issues in support of their own brand of morality. So which political party best represents Christian values? I believe Jesus would reject them both. Just like the Pharisees and Sadducees, both parties can only see what they are doing right while remaining blind to their inherent contradictions. Allegiance to a political party is the Trojan horse that Satan has used to destroy the church from within. No political party can claim moral high ground. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God! (Romans 3:23)

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8

So ask yourself, if Jesus spoke today would we listen? In the light of the current political climate, his teaching would likely be rejected by some as “woke” and rejected by others as “intolerant” because his kingdom is not of this world. Instead he would ask us why we stopped listening to his voice in favor of those who would lead us astray. He would ask how we can reconcile obedience to scripture and obedience to a political figure that openly admits that he hates his enemies.

 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  Matthew 5:43-45

Jesus clearly tells us that following him means being at odds with the world.

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.  John 15:18-19

That is what it means to be a Christian. To follow Christ means you don’t fit neatly into a box or a label created by this world. It means standing for the truth of the gospel even when it opposes both political parties. It means being willing to be rejected by both sides to obey the teaching of Jesus.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

You can’t look to the ends to justify the means. You can’t treat others with different beliefs with contempt. You can’t have equal allegiance to God and Country and you can’t be both a Christian and a Patriot. The ways of God contradict the ways of the world. The goals and objectives of earthly kingdoms stand in opposition to the kingdom of God. To follow Jesus we must make a choice about whose voice we will choose to follow.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John 13:35