Let's Not Get Political

1st Corinthians 3:1–9 

www.mission119.org

I wrote this and sent it out to our elders the day I read the above passage and listened to John Soper's (mission119.org) commentary for my personal devotions (5/16).  

It is important in our cultural context to avoid the arguments (vitriol) that are being promoted within the political scene of our country. It is possible that this was not a problem in the past as it is today; the Christ-follower could have discussed their politics while still maintaining a proper focus (aka HOPE) in our ultimate answers coming from God’s Word and His agenda. But today, I am convinced the average person is unable to do that. 

People struggle separating their political thoughts from God’s plan. We are OK sacrificing our views of a particular sin because there is a “greater” platform agenda point in a particular party that outweighs our concern. It would seem (to me) that people are placing their hope in the government and a political platform’s agenda above God—that is idolatry. 

This passage and John’s teaching was a reminder that we as leaders must keep our focus and priority on Jesus and God’s plan. One of my personal take-aways is we should point our people to God’s solution and help them see that the government of the United States (or anywhere else) is not His ultimate remedy. So, I repeat the text I wrote here for a broader exhortation for the church. 

“This morning I was reading and listening to Mission119 (1st Corinthians 1–3) and was reminded by John Soper that disunity in the Church is a great sin. Our political alignment and promotion (republican or democrat) can cause sinful interactions with others that will stifle honest seekers of God’s grace. 

All disagreement within the church are not necessarily disunity. We don’t have to be in agreement on every point. But we do have to be ONE. The rallying point for our ONENESS is that our minds be found in Christ Jesus—being likeminded in Christ. 

Soper’s commentary reminded me that Paul spoke against a fractured church that breaks into little parties to follow Paul, Peter, or Apollos. “That is Crazy! Don’t be fools,” he said. My thought on that exhortation is we have not been saved to follow Biden, Trump, republicans or democrats. 

I implore you to bring the message back to Christ and the hope we have in Him. Preach Christ crucified. Encourage a conversation that centers on Christ in the believer—the hope of all glory—no matter what the cultural milieu dictates. That is the focus, we as leaders of the church, should be fighting to keep in view. 

This is a sin (disunity on worldly political alignment) that will continue to keep our church stalled and lacking in joy. When the conversations get political and conspiracy-theory-driven remember this study and gently, lovingly remind your brothers and sisters in Christ that our hope lies in Him alone.