Citizens of Heaven
In the midst of a divisive election season, it’s crucial to remember our foremost identity as followers of Christ and citizens of heaven. Our political affiliations should never overshadow our commitment to Jesus, His Word, and the unity of believers. We are called to a higher standard; To represent Jesus and His Church to the world around us.
For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. 20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. (Philippians 3:18-20 NLT)
I think it’s important to clarify our “party” or affiliation during this election season. Allow me to explain. First and foremost, we are followers of Christ, disciples of Jesus and citizens of heaven. For people to use or readily accept the verbiage and labels of “conservative Christian” or “liberal Christian” is not only unbiblical but downgrades our position in Christ to a secondary role, placing our political alliance at the beginning of the title. Our political views and bias must fall below, far below, our identity in Christ, our commitment to His Word, His Church and the “unity of the brethren”
Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. (Ephesians 4:3)
Let’s not give the enemy the ground and pleasure of dividing us over our political differences. I can and will choose to love people with different political views, ideologies or preferences in candidates. This is our “higher call” as Christ followers. Our potential unity, in this election season, could possibly be an answer to the final prayers of Jesus:
I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. (John 17:21-23 NLT)
This prayer makes it crystal clear that the stakes are high when it comes to being divided with other believers. I would encourage you to pray this prayer of Jesus and even more frequently as the election draws near.
With that said, we are not saying to compromise on Biblical morality and clear mandates of scripture, as the Word is our moral standard and our clarion call to pray, prepare and vote as redeemed people who hold the Word of God as our guide for moral absolutes. The written Word is the lens by which we view and make our decisions on all propositions and elect any and all future candidates. We are called to a higher standard; We are called to represent Jesus and His Church in these confusing and perilous times. We are called to be CITIZENS OF HEAVEN!
Citizens of Heaven
In the midst of a divisive election season, it’s crucial to remember our foremost identity as followers of Christ and citizens of heaven. Our political affiliations should never overshadow our commitment to Jesus, His Word, and the unity of believers. We are called to a higher standard; To represent Jesus and His Church to the world around us.
For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. 20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. (Philippians 3:18-20 NLT)
I think it’s important to clarify our “party” or affiliation during this election season. Allow me to explain. First and foremost, we are followers of Christ, disciples of Jesus and citizens of heaven. For people to use or readily accept the verbiage and labels of “conservative Christian” or “liberal Christian” is not only unbiblical but downgrades our position in Christ to a secondary role, placing our political alliance at the beginning of the title. Our political views and bias must fall below, far below, our identity in Christ, our commitment to His Word, His Church and the “unity of the brethren”
Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. (Ephesians 4:3)
Let’s not give the enemy the ground and pleasure of dividing us over our political differences. I can and will choose to love people with different political views, ideologies or preferences in candidates. This is our “higher call” as Christ followers. Our potential unity, in this election season, could possibly be an answer to the final prayers of Jesus:
I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. (John 17:21-23 NLT)
This prayer makes it crystal clear that the stakes are high when it comes to being divided with other believers. I would encourage you to pray this prayer of Jesus and even more frequently as the election draws near.
With that said, we are not saying to compromise on Biblical morality and clear mandates of scripture, as the Word is our moral standard and our clarion call to pray, prepare and vote as redeemed people who hold the Word of God as our guide for moral absolutes. The written Word is the lens by which we view and make our decisions on all propositions and elect any and all future candidates. We are called to a higher standard; We are called to represent Jesus and His Church in these confusing and perilous times. We are called to be CITIZENS OF HEAVEN!
