What About Christians Who Voted Wrong?

One of the first things I heard after the election was a Christian declaring, "I can't believe that ignorant Christians could vote this way.

Not long after, I heard another Christian say, "What is wrong with Christians, voting this way? Don't they read their Bibles?"

Now, I understand those people may have been disappointed with the outcome of the election.  But I have to tell you that my heart was grieved. 

I think this train of thought is dangerous, indeed.  What would the enemy love better at this crucial time in history, than to have Christians turning on each other and fighting among ourselves? 

What could cripple us faster than division and strife?  Just when we need to stand together and pray in unity and faith for our country, the last thing we need is to be angry with each other.

Bound By Blood

Like it or not, those Christians who voted "wrong" (differently from you) are your brothers and sisters in Christ.  If you're going to be a Bible believer, then you're going to have to believe that they are part of you -- you are part of them.  We are the BODY of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:20, 27).

The same price was paid for them -- the blood of Jesus -- as was paid for you. We are bound by blood.  As much as you are a part of Jesus by that blood, you are a part of your fellow Christian. 

That doesn't mean you have to agree with them.  But it does mean you're under obligation to obey God's commandment regarding them. This covenant of yours has one commandment, and one only.  Jesus said:

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  (John 13:34)

And He went on to say in verse 35 that this is to be our main soul-winning tool...our main emphasis...our main calling-card to the world:

By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.

Think about that.  The world is watching us -- to see if our God is real -- and they're watching just one thing.  To see how we get along.  To see how well we love one another. What a great opportunity we have right here, right now -- when we disagree, but bind together in Him.

Examine Yourself

You can disagree with your fellow Christian without being disagreeable.  I caution you not to fall into the trap of disunity, especially during this key time.  First Corinthians 11:28-29 is sobering:

Let a man examine himself...for he who eats and drinks [of communion] in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body [fellow Christians]. 

We are all part of the same Body.  If you judge another part of the Body, you put yourself under the same judgment by which you're judging (instead of under mercy, bought by your covenant).

I don't know about you, but I want mercy!  Examine yourself, and choose to deal with your fellow Christians mercifully.

Let's put aside our differences. I believe we haven't even yet begun to see the power behind a unified Body of Christ. Let's go for it!  Let's base our lives on the Word and walk in love with each other, no matter what our politics are.

We are one Body! United we stand, divided we fall.