A Christian’s Plea During This Political Season

This political season has become reality television at it’s very best (or worst depending on your perspective). Regardless of which side of the aisle you’re on, it hasn’t been pretty. As a result of recent terrorist attacks, the ongoing LGBT conversation, a violent resurgence of racial tension, and pending economic issues, there’s a heightened state of tension that has created the perfect storm.

Our emotions are on overload.

But what troubles me the most is the number of professing Christians who have stooped to levels of detestable conversation in the name of politics and social justice. Some of the most hateful language imaginable has been spewed, damaging an already broken, religious facade.

Fear and blame have become the common thread for those on both sides of the aisle as our concerns have progressed into panic.

But today, I’m reminded that we weren’t created to live in fear. None of us. Not Republicans, not Democrats, and not Independents. Fear should never be a driving factor in our lives, much less our vote.

Trump or Hillary?

This November, we will be presented with one of the most challenging presidential elections in the history of the United States. And as the day draws near, parties and pundits are taking sides.

So who should Christians vote for?

My good friend, Kevin Adams, told me that we really only have two responsibilities this fall: pray and vote our conscience.

Now there may be some who are called to become active in the political process, but those actions have to be led by God. As Christians, we need to be more concerned about endorsing God than endorsing a political candidate.

If you believe that God can’t use Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton to achieve His purposes, then I think you have a very limited view of God. Throughout God’s story, He uses the most uncommon, unqualified characters for His purposes.

Under their own power:

  • Jacob was a thief.
  • Moses was a stuttering murderer.
  • David was an adulterer.
  • Peter denied Christ.
  • Paul hated Christians.

But in each of those stories, these heroes of faith had an encounter with the Divine that changed them. And in spite of their shortcomings, God used them in miraculous ways.

With God’s power:

  • Jacob became Israel.
  • Moses delivered God’s people.
  • David became a man after God’s own heart.
  • Peter was the rock that the early church was built upon.
  • Paul introduced Christianity to the world.

It is my prayer that whatever candidate is given the honor of becoming the leader of this great country, that they will be humbly brought before their Creator and that He would use them for His purposes. Instead of praying for a specific candidate to be elected, what if we started praying for God’s kingdom to be expanded?

As Christians, our faith must not be placed in politicians, pastors, or policies, but in God. And if we believe in God, we must believe what His word says:

That “all things work for the good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purposes.” —Romans 8:28

That “the Lord did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-control.” —2 Timothy 1:7

That “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” —Psalm 111:10

That we should “trust in the Lord with all of our heart and lean not on our own understanding.” —Proverbs 3:4-5

The promises of scripture aren’t a Hallmark card for us to toss around, or a hammer for us to pound those who don’t agree with us. The promises of scripture are meant for us to embrace—for us to live out. We have to become the hands and feet and words and life and light of the gospel to a dark world.

As Christians, are we modeling the life of Jesus to those who stand across the aisle or are we proclaiming faith as we cringe in fear?

Friends, there is no room for fear in the heart of someone who is surrendered to God. We must begin praying, with a heart that longs for and believes, that God’s kingdom and His will would be done in this time. And we should live joyfully, with love as we patiently endure.

If fear is driving your vote, your vote will be miscast. Wisdom can never be birthed from fear. Fear is what causes us to cast our votes to things we think will save us and stones at the things that oppose us.  Instead of throwing rocks, the body of Christ, the church, should always strive for unity.

And that can only be done in and through our faith in God.

MH

About the Author:

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Matt Ham is a Christian author, speaker, and small-business owner based in Wilmington, North Carolina. Matt’s first book, Redefine Rich, challenges readers to look at wealth and richness from a new perspective.

Matt provides coaching and various resources to help people change their perspective.

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12 Responses to A Christian’s Plea During This Political Season

  1. Jon Stallings March 11, 2016 at 8:40 pm #

    Great post Matt – I too was disappointed by Dr. Carson’s choice but I also have to remember that “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no
    authority except that which God has established. The authorities that
    exist have been established by God.” – Romans 13:1

    • Matt Ham March 11, 2016 at 9:02 pm #

      Thanks, Jon. I appreciate you standing on the Truth.

  2. Lisa Hensley March 11, 2016 at 11:38 pm #

    I loved this, Matt. I’m not excited by what our option appear they are going to be in November but I know that God sets up rulers. I did however write a post on Monday about how I was disappointed in who Christians were endorsing because of how it represents our faith to others. Thanks for your Biblical, non-fear-based approach!

    • Matt Ham March 12, 2016 at 7:28 am #

      Thanks for reading, Lisa. It’s such a difficult topic to address. And truthfully, I don’t address the politics of it, but rather the personal side. I’m glad people are seeing the heart behind it and not getting lost in the political discourse.

  3. Bonnie Hilton March 12, 2016 at 7:24 am #

    Beautifully penned!!! You have eloquently put into words what I have been feeling in my spirit for weeks now as I have prayed about what is going on. It saddened me yesterday, as I watched and read what people are saying about Dr. Carson’s choice. As I have prayed, I continue to hear in my spirit, but God!!!!

    • Matt Ham March 12, 2016 at 7:27 am #

      Thanks, Bonnie. Continue to pray. That is the communion with God that our heart so deeply desires.

  4. Milton Friesen March 12, 2016 at 8:23 am #

    To fear God is to fear nothing else!

    • Matt Ham March 13, 2016 at 10:21 am #

      Amen!

  5. Kay March 12, 2016 at 3:04 pm #

    That’s the most refreshing thing I’ve read today and it’s so true. Also, no matter who is elected – and before the election as well – we need to consistently and earnestly lift them up in prayer.

    • Matt Ham March 13, 2016 at 10:23 am #

      Our command was to pray continually, give thanks in all things, and be joyful. Thanks for reading, Kay

  6. Dave Algonquin March 16, 2016 at 7:49 am #

    I continue not to understand the fascination with Ben Carson in certain circles. The guy spent years shilling for Mannatech, a company that sells nutritional supplements of very dubious value via multi-level marketing salespeople. In other words, among people who don’t know anything about nutrition or medicine. Mannatech can’t make the health claims they’d like to make because of FDA guidelines, but they get around that by hiring doctors like Ben Carson to say “Well, I don’t have any data and I can’t prove it, but gee whiz, I’m a neurosurgeon and I like it a lot!”. Separating people from their hard-earned money by marketing a flaky product like Mannatech should have been enough warning for any voter, but Carson supporters didn’t bat an eye.

    Then you have Carson’s repeated penchant for making up stories for speaking engagements that turn out not to be true. (Call it the “Al Gore Problem”) You know, Carson was a troubled youth who tried to stab someone…oh wait, he wasn’t. He met with General Westmoreland in Detroit. Oh wait, the general wasn’t there. He was given a scholarship to West Point…oh wait. Nevermind. He told two different versions of that story, at two different institutions, neither of which turned out to be true. And then of course, there’s the simple fact that there’s not one thing in his background that qualifies him to be President. Take away the novelty of a black Republican, and there’s almost nothing left. Imagine some random white doctor running for President. Would he have any support whatsoever? No, of course not, and for good reason. He’d be unqualified.

    Then there’s the constant self-praise Carson gives himself at every rally, describing every patient he’s ever treated and how darn thankful they are. A few weeks ago I heard him describe meeting a 30 year old former patient whom Carson said he recognized in an airport…because he had operated on the man when he was a *baby*. Think about that. Let’s introduce you to an infant, then you can come back in 30 years and try to pick that person out of a crowd in an airport. Seriously? Is there no limit to what we are expected to believe? And even if this unlikely story were true, how many times does this Ben Carson think he should be patted on the back for doing his job? I’m sure he was well compensated as a neurosurgeon. Why the continuous need to puff it up and present it to crowds and solicit rounds of applause? It’s a little odd, and after you’ve done it for years it becomes more odd.

    Someone, please explain to me what is the magic Ben Carson holds for some people.

    • Matt Ham March 16, 2016 at 9:44 am #

      Thanks for reading and taking the time to provide such in-depth thoughts, Dave. There’s no magic. This is less about support for Carson and more of a desire to look to God in the midst of uncertainties. Every candidate has a backlog of “wrongs”. I’m trying to find the right in the midst of them.