It seems like much more than one week ago when we all gathered together to worship Christ last Sunday. In a hotly contested election where the main stream media has called the election and the other candidate continues to litigate the results, no doubt the election will be on the minds of many in congregations today.
For sure, congregants will fit into one of these three categories today: 1) Their man won, 2) Their man lost, or 3) They were not for either candidate.
The following two pieces of advice fit you regardless of which category you might fit.
Today’s Focus Must Be Christ ~ Not Your Candidate’s Place
As you gather today for worship … notice how this sentence starts. “As you gather today for worship…”
The purpose of gathering today is to worship our wonderful Savior, Jesus Christ. Every day He is to have preeminence in our lives – especially on Sunday during corporate worship. What a shame if we were to take the opportunity to focus on and worship Christ and turn that into an opportunity to primarily focus on politics. Just as before the election, after the election conversation should focus primarily on our wonderful Savior as well.
Remember What You Have In Common with These People
You may very well all be registered the same way at the court house related to Democrat, Republican, or Independent. You may also have all voted the same way, although that seems very unlikely. In fact, you may have volunteered at the polls, to get out the vote, or do something else to help your favorite candidate.
Regardless, that is not the primary thing you have in common with the people with whom you gather today.
The primary thing you have in common with those with whom you gather is your love and adoration of Jesus Christ. The forgiveness of sins. The power of the Gospel. Your appreciation for grace. The presence of the Spirit. The union you enjoy in Christ. Your purpose in life to become like Christ. Your love for the brethren. The goal of practicing the one-anothers. Your hope of knowing and growing in the Scriptures.
None of those things have anything to do with the US election. Therefore, please make the main thing the main thing.
Does the election affect each of you? Absolutely.
Is the Coronavirus still a major issue? In most places.
Will the final result of who is President for the next four years impact you? No doubt it will.
However, none of those are more important than your focus on the crucified, risen, and coming again Jesus Christ.
On This Sunday…
Before you bring up anything political or if someone brings something political up to you, please consider the following two scenarios:
You do not know what you do not know.
The election process is a private process. You may assume you know the way your neighbor things; however, you do not know the other person’s heart. Literally, you do not know their hopes, goals, or struggles with this process. The other person may be elated, down, or indifferent. In fact, today this brother or sister-in-Christ may be struggling on multiple levels related to the election result, the election process, and the state of American politics. Who knows? And that is the point. You do not know. Therefore, do not assume anything as you begin to talk with another brother or sister in Christ.
If someone approaches you about politics.
Listen carefully to what is being said. If he or she suggest a spiritual struggle, point that person to Christ. If he or she desires to complain, seek to help them think about Jesus rather than the election. Gossip, try not to listen and move the conversation away from politics. What about various theories? Unknown scenarios? Conspiracies? Long-term outlooks? All of these things are important in their rightful place. I humbly suggest to you that today these things are not primary. Yes, they may be on everyone’s minds and very important as citizens; however, they are not the primary reason you meet today as citizens of heaven who are in the family of God together.
Therefore, on this Sunday, please seek to worship Christ, love your brother or sister-in-Christ, and keep the main thing the main thing. And as a shared experience, if politics come up, approach it with humility, kindness, and grace remembering that it is not the primary reason you meet together today. Acknowledge what is said, think about how wisely to respond, and graciously do so. Strive not to linger long here. There is Someone much better and greater for us to adore and worship – try to spend your time there. Jesus is our only true hope yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
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KevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together
