I have felt compelled to write this for quite sometime. I had an incident about a month or two ago where I posted an article on Facebook about the 2016 Election and a person commented on my post saying something along the lines of that I was “UnChristian” for believing in what was being said about the election.
First of all, I have only run into this person a few times in the past five years. They do not know me as a person and the kind of behavior I display. They do not know what beliefs, morals, and virtues I live my life by. They do not know me as a Christian in today’s world.
Not long after that, I saw an event on Facebook about a speaker who was speaking on the topic of how to vote as a Christian in the 2016 Election. I did not go to the talk, but the topic of it got me thinking.
I have gotten the message over the past few months from various sources that my religion and my political beliefs have to be combined into a similar entity. They have to stand together and to some degree they do, but at some point, you have to draw a line between being a Christian in this world, and doing your civic duty for your country.
What comes to mind when I think of making distinction between two very separate things is Mark 12: 13-17
“They sent some Pharisees and Herodians to him to ensnare him in his speech. They came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion. You do not regard a person’s status but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or should we not pay?” Knowing their hypocrisy he said to them, “Why are you testing me? Bring me a denarius to look at.” They brought one to him and he said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They replied to him, “Caesar’s.”17So Jesus said to them, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” They were utterly amazed at him.”
Not a more perfect way to describe the distinction between being a citizen of your country and a citizen of God.
As a United States citizen, I have been taught that you are to do your civic duty by electing the people who think best represent you and the vision you see for this country. There would be no elected officials especially the president without the citizens who elect them. These elected officials are supposed to serve the needs of the people who elected the first. The ultimate power of the government is by the people and for the people.
As a daughter of God, I have other civic duties I have to perform. I have to listen to the path God has laid out for me. I have to love my neighbor as myself. I have to follow the ten commandments. I have to be faithful and trust in God. These are all a constant struggle and by no means am I perfect because I often stray away from all of these because of the sins I have.
What makes being created in the image and likeness of God so great is this little thing called free-will. I ultimately choose my path and the decisions I make. However, with the help of the Holy Spirit and my conscience, I hope to make the right choices, but often enough I make the wrong ones.
We are constantly being tempted. However, we are redeemed through Jesus’ death on the cross and the never ending mercy from God.
Having dual citizenship in the U.S. and in the kingdom of God takes up a lot of my time. I love my country and I love my faith. However, combining the two calls for some risky measures.
I do apply what I learn through my faith to what I believe in for this country. I was born a child of God, but also a Patriot. I do stand for what my faith says is wrong when it comes to some of the major issues that stand out in America today.
However, I do not want to be told who I need to vote for and why. I do not need to be called “UnChristian” just for a simple thing as posting an article. I do not need to be told I am sinning just because I believe in what one candidate over the other is saying and for the simple act of casting a vote. I do not need to be told I need to vote a certain way or put my civic duty to the test just because of my religion.
Without God in this country and having the freedom to worship, it would be a whole different ball game in this day and age. It is important to be involved in your community and vote! It is important to have faith, but also be a Patriot!
Inner mixing the two, religion and politics, is a fatal ploy. You need to be careful, keep an open mind, pray, have faith, do your research, and ultimately keep an open mind. Remember, it is up to you and only you how to act, not anyone else.
"Freedom prospers when religion is vibrant and the rule of law under God is acknowledged."
-Ronald Reagan
