The conventions are over and we can get some sleep – or maybe not!
I’ve been gently probed to comment on who I will vote for and why and I have resisted such questions in the past, but today I’m going to tell you both who I am voting for and why. I am voting for God, who showed us the way and truth and righteous life in Jesus the Christ and who continues to guide us in the way, truth, and righteous life by the power of the Holy Spirit.
I was brought up to not talk about religion and politics in polite company, though, to my parents’ credit, these topics were welcome at the dinner table. Sadly “separation of church and state” has been so twisted that people now seem to read it “separation of faith and society,” not that this has stopped both political parties from using religion when it suits a political agenda.
Any Christian knows that separating faith from political decisions that affect our society cannot be done. Let me briefly try to clear this up a bit, if I can. Freedom of religion meant that the government cannot dictate our religious beliefs. What it does NOT mean is that government can limit the free expression of our beliefs, our faith, although a secular, financial “religion” has been growing over the past years – but that’s for another time.
Can we agree that no Christian should push his/her faith aside to vote? Can we agree with the Psalmist that we are to put our trust in God over our trust in any political party or candidate?
I especially like the Psalmist verse (146). “When their breath departs, they return to the earth; on that day their plans perish.” If that verse was written today it would read, “When their speech is over, they return to the polls; in that moment their plans perish.”
Can we agree that often Christ himself stated that our faith is to be chosen over our funds, our friends, even our families?
But why trust in God most of all? God made the heavens, earth, seas, and is faithful forever. Now I know the candidates want you to believe they make the sun rise and that they hung the moon and stars, but we know better.
James helps in the discernment of the relationship between faith and politics. He writes that there is an incompatibility between faith and favoritism, especially favoritism shown to the rich and powerful, and an incompatibility between faith and indifference.
As to the incompatibility of faith and favoritism especially toward the rich, James gives three clear reasons:
1) First, God has assigned the poor to be rich in faith. Now I’m going to show my skepticism but listen to these two stories and tell me which speaks most clearly about the power of faith. A multi-millionaire stands to give thanks to God for all that God has done for him. A poor woman places the few coins she possesses on the altar to express her faith. Your choice.
2) Second, James asks if we are favoring the rich because we think we might grab a few crumbs that drop from their tables. James points out that the rich and powerful are only concerned about protecting their wealth and the systems that keep them rich.
3) Third, and most poignantly, favoritism is a sin. We are to see with the eyes of God, seeing all persons as equals and worthy of God’s grace.
As to the incompatibility between faith and indifference, let’s look at what the Psalmist writes as God’s concern, God’s platform, if you will.
1) Practice justice for the oppressed.Those intentionally knocked down and held down will have justice.
2) Offer food for the hungry. No way to make that any clearer.
3) Set the prisoner free. Those who are imprisoned by a narrow faith and unjust laws based upon prejudices of racism, ageism, poverty, and political beliefs.
4) Open the eyes of the blind. The blindness of ignorance will receive education. The light of God will be easily available to those spiritually blind. And, if we are able, the physical and mental healing of those blinded by pain due only due to their poverty.
5) Lift up those who are bowed down. Rich or poor, life often burdens us with challenges that seem beyond our individual efforts.
6) Watch over the strangers. Protect and defend the foreigner and those who look, speak, and live differently than others.
7) Uphold the orphans and widows. These two groups represented all those who have no voice in society, no support, lost and living in the shadows.
And every platform must hold out a promise and God, through the Psalmist, gives us one.
A promise of God’s unfailing love, and ruin for the wicked (in God’s own way and time)
So, how do you bring your faith and politics together? Here is my plan.
I’m going to put my Bible in the center of the table and open it to the Gospels. Then I’m going to place the two party platforms to the left and right of the Scriptures and, no, I’m not saying which side is which!
I won’t expect either platform to follow God’s platform exactly BUT I will see which political platform follows most closely God’s platform to:
Provide justice for the oppressed, food for the hungry, freedom for the prisoner, sight for the blind, hope for the downtrodden, watchfulness over the stranger, and support for the orphans and widows.
Then, with much prayer, I will vote for God’s platform as I vote for my candidate.
