Peace in PoliticsНамуна

Love your enemies

We often marvel at the love that Jesus demonstrates. We are grateful that God would choose to walk in relationship with people like us—flawed, selfish, and often misguided in our perceptions of him and others. We love to be recipients of unmerited and unconditional love. We hope, and even expect, to be shown grace when we make mistakes. The question we must all answer is: are we willing to give that same grace to others?

An uncomfortable question

What comes to mind when you think of someone with a different political view? Do you see someone created in the image of God? Do you see a person with fears, hopes, and insecurities? Do you see someone capable of good, even if you see bad there as well? Do you see someone worthy of your love?

If we are going to be kingdom-minded when it comes to politics, we must be willing to love first. We need to see people, souls, and hearts, first. When our own beliefs aren’t fueled by love, we end up vilifying those who are different. They become dehumanized and branded as enemies, rather than known by their true identities as God’s loved children.

The reality

There happen to be followers of Jesus who are Republicans, Democrats, and Libertarians.

This may be frustrating. Sometimes it's hard for us to understand how or why someone can believe something so different. But the truth is that we are not defined by our political parties, we are defined by our identities in Christ. Political parties and beliefs may bend and change, but our identity in Christ does not waiver. And when our identity is firmly set, we do not have to take offense to or be fearful of those who think differently. We should remember that others are loved and infinitely valued by God rather than brand them as “right” or “wrong.”

As disappointing as it may be, there is no “God party.” A man-made system can never fully represent all of the incredible, perfect facets of God. And no political party or candidate will ever fully encapsulate the heart of Jesus. Even the greatest biblical leaders of our faith fell short in dramatic ways. We can’t possibly hope to find redemption or restoration for our country through the work of human hands alone. No man can do what only God is capable of achieving.

Love as a pathway to peace

Love is the best way forward if you desire to walk in peace throughout this political season. Throughout my life, I’ve never met someone who could simultaneously be described as both hateful and peaceful. By nature, hate drives out peace, and even in small amounts, it makes gentleness and compassion challenging to find.

Love, on the other hand, works differently. It elevates us above the drama. I’m still amazed when I catch a flight on a gloomy day. The plane shakes and shudders as it ascends through the rain and wind, only to pass into the still air and sunshine that was impossible to imagine from the ground. Love works in this way, lifting us to a new perspective and letting us move forward to a place of inner quiet. We find stillness even as the season’s storms churn violently below.

What’s our real goal?

It’s vital for us to continually remind ourselves of what’s most important. When Jesus said the greatest commandments are: “love your God with all your heart” and “love your neighbor as yourself,” he added no addendum for the political season. They remain the greatest commandments for us, even now.

In the midst of a high-stakes political season, it’s surprisingly challenging to keep these goals in their proper places. We find ourselves more focused on changing minds, winning debates, and garnering votes than on loving God and others. We may even begin to see differing ideas as dangerous and threatening. And we may view those who perpetuate the ideas as our opponents and enemies.

But when we look at the life of Jesus, he was constantly followed and harassed by those who were truly his enemies. The political and religious elite literally wanted him dead. Yet, in spite of their very real threat, Jesus continued to focus on the command to love. Let us do the same.