The election for the President of the United States has the attention of the world.
The election of 2020 is the most critical election of our lifetime. For sure.
Hacks are a part of the 2020 election. Hacking the political mind is the hardest hack ever. As believers we must learn to navigate through politics in a way that is healthy and beneficial to the Kingdom of God.
The first hack is COVID-19. COVID–19 is the hottest issue of the election. Many people are passionate about COVID-19, a major hack against the incumbent President’s reelection.
Both Christians and non-Christians are concerned about the election. Believers and non-believers are passionate about their candidate. I am not of the school that there are no Christian Democrats.
Believers are not qualified to decide who is and who is not a Christian. Yes, there are party policies that define values. Those values are a sign of where we stand on issues. But ultimately, God is the final judge.
My biggest concern for Christians is how we respond to the election and those from the opposite party.
Even believers have lost the power of objectivity, civility, and reason. This incivility on display by some Christians is surprising. Some will say it’s President Trump’s fault. Have you noticed everything is Trump’s fault? So elementary.
The anger and vitriol in the Christian camp is a concern because it is misaligned with what the Bible says. My big question is, has a political mindset replaced the Kingdom of God mindset?
Even the disciples struggled with people that were different than them.
Now it came to pass when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. But they did not receive Him because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” But He turned and rebuked them and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village. (Luke 9:51–56, NKJV)
We could say that Samaritans are progressive Jews. They were of Jewish descent, and their heritage evolved from the twelve tribes of Israel. The Jews hated the Samaritans because they departed from the fundamental doctrines of the Jews. They also married people from other cultures. The Jews despised these choices.
The disciples wanted to call down fire on them. I have heard Christians say they wish Nancy Pelosi would die. Shocking for sure.
Jesus’ reply was signature Jesus, “you do not know what manner of Spirit you are of.” Jesus goes on to say, “I did not come to destroy lives but to save them.” God has called Christians to love and rescue others. Believers are to let their light shine and to live a life worthy for others to follow.
Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. (I Peter 2:11–12, NKJV)
If our political filter is in front of our Christian filter, we will miss the mark of glorifying God. Christians that dishonor others dishonor God. We are to be known for our good works and not our political persuasion.
These three points are great hacks when faced with political conflict.
- We can disagree and not disapprove.
- We should attack the ideas but never attack a person.
- We can disagree politically and still love unconditionally.
The Over-Reach of Politics
Mattresses (my pillow) are political. The founder of My pillow supports our President. His company has taken hits from the cancel culture and the even Democratic States. I guess Democrats don’t buy pillows from Michael Lindell.
Schools are political. We have even politicized pancakes – taking down Aunt Jemima.
Eskimo pies are no more.
Cream of Wheat is no more.
Masks are insanely political.
As people resume going out in public in the middle of a pandemic, to wear or not to wear a face mask has become a personal statement and sometimes a political one.
In Flint, Mich., a security guard at a Family Dollar store, was fatally shot on Friday afternoon after an altercation that the guard’s wife told The New York Times had occurred over a customer refusing to wear a face covering, which is required in Michigan in any enclosed public space.
The mask’s stories are heartbreaking. I am an advocate for wearing masks. I wear one for the safety of others and it is the right thing. Wearing a mask is a hack against the spreading of the virus.
Wearing a mask is also a simple sign that we love our neighbor.
Politics divide
Yes, politics are divisive. To say that the current election is stressful and divisive is beyond an understatement. The United States is strained at the seams, ready to explode no matter who wins the presidency.
A new study shows just how bad it’s become, with anger at the opposing party now outstripping the love a supporter might have for their party. To put it in other words: People hate those on the opposite side of the political spectrum more than they care for their own.
The anger and vitriol are off the chart this year. We must find the hacks against the hatred.
The kingdom of politics divides us. The kingdom of God unites.
The kingdom of politics spreads hate. The kingdom of God spreads love.
The kingdom of politics demands support. The kingdom of God provides support to others.
The kingdom of politics establishes policies. The kingdom of God establishes a Godly lifestyle.
Fear drives the kingdom of politics. Faith drives the kingdom of God.
Fear-based politics.
The Roman philosopher and rhetoric teacher Lactantius wrote, “Where fear is present, wisdom cannot be.
Both parties rely on fear-mongering. Fear sells. Everything from losing your guns to your jobs and your 401K is on the board. And your health care is on the line if the wrong party wins the presidency.
Fear is in the air, and fear is surging. Americans are more afraid today than they have been in a long time: Polls show most Americans are worried about being victims of terrorism and crime. These numbers have surged over the past year to highs not seen for more than a decade. Every week seems to bring a new large or small-scale terrorist attack at home or abroad. Mass shootings form a constant drumbeat. Protests have shut down large cities repeatedly, and some have turned violent. Overall, crime rates may be down, but a sense of disorder is constant.
Fear is a strong emotion. The Christian hack against fear -” God has not given us a spirit of fear.” So fear is not of God.
Men use fear. Political parties use fear. Both parties believe their candidate is “the man.” Christians are never to place their trust in men. We realize that God uses men for his work. Even so, Christians are to put their trust in the Lord and Him alone.
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God. (Psalm 20:7, NKJV)
The hack of all hacks
The Kingdom of God does not rise or fall on an election. Christians need to vote. Voting is both a right and a responsibility of all citizens and especially Christians. But God’s Kingdom is not of this world. So what happens if your party loses the election.
After the election is over, there will be a new President. But other things will not change. So regarding the election we hack the political mind with the mind of Christ.
Political hacks after the election:
- God is still sovereign
- Love your neighbor is still our command
- The Gospel is still good news
- Christians still have a lot to accomplish
Thank you for reading this post. I would love to hear your thoughts.
Please leave a comment.
