Loving People Who Vote Differently
When Politics Divides the Body of Christ
Politics has become the new religion, and the church is falling for it.
What We've Done
We've:
- Let political parties define who's "really" Christian
- Made voting records more important than fruit of the Spirit
- Divided the body of Christ along party lines
- Called it "standing for truth"
- Demonized believers who vote differently
I pastor a church with people across the political spectrum. They vote differently. They disagree passionately.
And somehow, they still worship together, serve together, and call each other family.
How Is This Possible?
Because we've agreed that Jesus is bigger than our politics.
What That DOESN'T Mean
This doesn't mean we:
- Don't care about justice
- Ignore morality
- Avoid social issues
- Think politics don't matter
What It DOES Mean
It means we:
- Refuse to let political identity eclipse Christian identity
- Refuse to believe one party has a monopoly on biblical values
- Refuse to demonize people who reach different conclusions
- Remember we're Kingdom citizens first (Philippians 3:20)
"Love your neighbor as yourself." — Mark 12:31
Jesus didn't qualify it with "as long as they vote like you."
The Inconvenient Truth
Some of the most Christlike people I know vote completely differently than I do.
And some of the most toxic, judgmental, unloving people I know vote exactly like I do.
What This Teaches Me
- Political alignment ≠ spiritual maturity
- Voting records ≠ fruit of the Spirit
- Party loyalty ≠ Kingdom citizenship
- Agreeing on policy ≠ loving your neighbor
"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." — John 13:35
Not "if you vote the same way."
A Kingdom That Transcends
We're called to a Kingdom that transcends:
- Nations
- Parties
- Political movements
- Cultural divisions
A Kingdom where:
- The last are first (Matthew 20:16)
- Enemies are loved (Matthew 5:44)
- Power is found in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9)
- The table is open to all (Luke 14:21-23)
That Kingdom doesn't fit neatly into any political platform.
Both Sides Get It Wrong
The left reduces Jesus to social justice warrior.
The right reduces Jesus to moral police officer.
Jesus is neither. And He's both. And He's so much more.
What Unity Actually Looks Like
In my church, we have:
- People who vote left
- People who vote right
- People who don't vote at all
And we:
- Pray together
- Serve the poor together
- Study scripture together
- Break bread together
- Challenge each other lovingly
Because our unity isn't found in how we vote. It's found in who we worship.
"There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." — Galatians 3:28
Paul didn't say "except for political parties." He said all one.
The Challenge
So maybe it's time we:
- Stop treating politics like the gospel
- Start treating the gospel like the gospel
- Love people who vote differently
- Listen more than we argue
- Build bridges instead of walls
Because Here's the Truth:
Your political enemies might be your brothers and sisters in Christ.
And Jesus commanded you to love them.
"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." — Romans 12:18
