by Kevin Carson
A. Just in case you have not noticed, election season is here. To add to the confusion, many thoughtful Christians are helping you choose or not to choose in the voting booth. Good men oppose each other in terms of the advice they share, such as Wayne Grudem versus Al Mohler and Russell Moore.
Bottom line, every Christian is responsible to make a personal, informed, thoughtful choice this November.
Until then, how are we to engage each other in these matters? Let me offer some biblical and practical advice — regardless of your November choices — on how to interact with each other on social media, in personal conversations, and at community gatherings.
Ephesians 4:1-6 provides a good backdrop:
“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism;”
The primary command — walk or live worthy of our position in Jesus Christ. As followers of Christ, God expects our attitudes and behaviors to be consistent with what God has done for us in salvation. For by grace we have been saved through faith. As such, we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ to walk in good works (Ephesians 2:8-10). So how do we do this?
Paul identifies five key attitudes that enable us to walk worthy on a daily basis for Christ. In regard to politics this election season, these attitudes help us engage each other in a worthy manner of our position in Christ.
- ENGAGE HUMBLY. Humility is the opposite of pride and arrogance. Essentially, it means to make the concerns of others more important than your own, as exemplified in the life of Jesus (Philippians 2:1-11). So, as you engage others about their political opinions, choose to respect them and appreciate that they care and want to help. Humility does not mean you have to agree with what is said; it does, however, demonstrate concern for the other person. Humility refrains from seeing the other person as stupid or insulting him because of his opinion.
- ENGAGE GENTLY. Gentleness as expressed here means to exercise self-control. This is a fruit of the Spirit and another characteristic of Jesus. As you determine how to respond to another person’s opinion, consider how to use your words with restraint and discipline. Be intentional to produce amiable conversation. Especially on social media, wait for a period of time before responding to give yourself time to think through what to say and how to say it, or you may choose not to comment at all.
- ENGAGE PATIENTLY. Patience implies you are long-tempered or slow to get angry. If you are passionate about the future, concerned for your children and grandchildren, and recognize the significance of this election, it is easy to get angry with someone who has an opposing opinion. You may be scratching your head and wondering how someone can have that viewpoint. In these moments, patience compliments humility and gentleness.
- ENGAGE WITH FORBEARANCE IN LOVE. Essentially, Paul challenges us to put up with each other in love. There are opinions, ideas, personality quirks, likes, dislikes, and other matters like voting preferences that you just do not appreciate about another person. You should expect not to agree with everyone in your family or church, much less your workplace or community. In those instances, because of your love of Christ and each other, choose to overlook it. This is only possible as you choose humility, gentleness, and patience.
- ENGAGE SEEKING TO PROTECT UNITY. The final exhortation is to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Essentially, God expects the unity of believers that Jesus provided through the cross to demonstrate Christ to a lost world
(John 17:20-23). This does not mean Christians cannot disagree with one another; however, Christians must disagree in a way that protects the unity we have in Christ through the Spirit. He demands we “make every effort.” This requires us to do our very best.