We’ve all heard it said, or maybe even said ourselves, “Don’t bring up religion or politics, it will only end in an argument.” There has probably never been a year (at least in my lifetime) where that was truer than this year. The political discourse hasn’t been this acrimonious since the Lincoln-Douglas debates. The Hillary-Donald debates could top them though.

Because I am passionate about the future of our nation, and because I have strong opinions and values, how should I relate to and communicate with my liberal Feel the Bern or Hillary-loving fellow churchgoers, friends, and family? What am I to think of the hard-core right wing Cruzite or the obnoxious Trumpeter sitting next to me during the prayer meeting or working at the next desk? But as in all things the first question should always be, does the Bible give me instruction of how I should think and behave and communicate with fellow believers and non-believers this election season? Of course it does, because its concern is always first the glory of Christ in His church and the testimony the church has in this world. Paul wrote to Timothy about these sticky things in his first letter.

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. And I have been chosen as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles this message about faith and truth. I’m not exaggerating—just telling the truth. In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.
1 Timothy 2:1-8 NLT

Although the greater context of these verses is the need to preach the gospel to all men, there are three important lessons from Paul that we should take to heart for ourselves today.

1. Prayer is the most important thing we can do. Before posting, before tweeting, before voting, we should be praying. Paul says we are to pray for “all who are in authority”, not just those we agree with or whose policies we like. We pray, “so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives”. So we can live free from tyranny, free from oppression, free from anarchy, and most importantly, free to spread the gospel without interference and hindrance. And by living peaceful, quiet lives they will be characterized by godliness and dignity. Dignity is defined as “the characteristic of a person which entitles them to reverence and respect”. Sadly, dignity seems to be a lost quality in our society today. Prayer will restore it to the church, Paul says.

2. The ultimate answer is found only in Christ and His gospel. “For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity – the man Christ Jesus.” The key words in that statement are “only one who can reconcile”. That is after all what is needed…the reconciliation of God and man. This problem in the boiling cauldron that is our nation today goes much deeper than political ideology. That’s not to say we shouldn’t vote or be involved in political discourse or run for office if God calls us to that vocation. We vote because we hold dual citizenship, both heavenly and earthly. But Paul is reminding Timothy that we are first and foremost citizens of God’s kingdom and that what is really at the heart of the troubles of this world won’t be solved politically when all is said and done. Of course depending on our eschatology we may see the working out of this differently, but there must be grace for one another in that as well.

3. We are to be free from anger and controversy. Nothing, except discussing religion (or maybe sports) makes people more bitter and angry than discussing politics. It is by nature polarizing and divisive. The two party system is set up to create a we/they mentality, and often we find ourselves believing that other Christians who believe or think differently than us politically are deceived or worse. The anger in our nation is palatable today. And controversy has become an accepted way of life, welcomed and encouraged. Timothy is to teach those he is leading to live free from anger and controversy. The key word here is the word “free”. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Don’t be enslaved again to anything or by anything that will rob you of that freedom and its peace of heart and mind.

Sadly, the church and our faith have become political pawns today. May the Lord restore the dignity, peacefulness, and wisdom that are the fruit of an eternal perspective that causes us to once again be salt and light in the midst of an angry, lost, and dying world.

~ Rick Martinez ~

Rick and his wife Kathy have been in Northern California for 33 years, have planted two churches, and are the parents of 4 and grandparents of 11 beautiful children. His passion is the Word of God, teaching, equipping and strengthening the church locally, nationally and internationally.

Twitter: @rickmartinezsac