ROMANS 12:15 IN LIGHT OF THE ELECTION.

 

"Rejoice with those who rejoice;

Weep with those who weep." 

Romans 12:15

 

I am writing this the Saturday following the election. At this time, we do not have an official winner. I also am writing this directly to Christians. And I'm using Atomic Age font because of how explosive this campaign season, this election, and this year has been, not to mention how some may respond. 

Let me first say that there are those who call themselves Christian who voted for Trump, others who voted for Biden, or who voted for Jorgensen. There are also those who call themselves Christian who say a true Christian could not vote for the opposing candidate. 

Examples? Some conservatives say that if you vote for Biden, you're voting for abortion. Another friend (real life as well as Facebook) posted a lot of Trump statements asking who could really vote for him, including a post making an across the board accusation that Trump voters don't care how bad he is.

Some of you are squirming, because you are guessing where I'm going with this blog, and you're right. How does the verse I quoted above relate to the election? Simple. If the candidate you think is an agent of hell gets elected, and you know a Christian who voted for him, you're commanded to rejoice with him. And if your candidate wins, you are to weep with your fellow believer who believes this country is toast as a result.

Let me start with those on the left, who voted for Biden or maybe more accurately voted against the President. You may ask why someone would support Trump. Allow me to put those who voted for Trump in three categories:

1. Those who like Trump and excuse his bullying, his looseness with the facts, and his crudeness.
2. Those who are disgusted with his temperament and treatment of others, but who are able to separate the good from the bad; they applaud that he's the first president to address the Right To Life rally, that he is the one who finally did what Clinton and the following presidents only talked about in moving the embassy in Israel to their chosen capital Jerusalem, that he is the first president who tried to initiate an end to hostilities with NoKo, and that he appointed three Constitutional SCOTUS justices. They don't excuse his bad behavior, but see him as one who cares about our economy and national defense.
3. Those who aren't at all impressed with the President, but who are worried about what would happen if a Democrat gets elected, especially if they have both houses of Congress as well (a possibility). Their disgust with Trump is diminished by their fear of Biden and/or Harris, especially if they have both houses of Congress.

Never-Trumpers, you may think the first group deserves your contempt, and I won't argue. But you should respect fellow Christians who believe the President has made positive accomplishments, and you should show compassion for those who are worried where this country is headed should Trump lose.

Now, let's go to the other side. Some conservatives make abortion the only issue, and if you want to vote that way, fine. But who are you to judge fellow Christians who don't make it the mandate? What about those who think a consistent pro-lifer would be more accepting of immigrants or concerned about health care for those in need? There are also some who believe that the problems with the President should not be tolerated, in spite of any positive accomplishments.

By the way, brothers and sisters in Christ, what country is our real citizenship in? Is it in the USA, or is it in heaven? Isn't our faith in Christ more important than our politics?

Did Jesus say, "This way the world will know you're My disciples, in that you vote for the right political candidate?"

Four years ago, I posted a lot of political posts (mostly Libertarian). This year, I've been more restrained (I think). I've been discouraged at how hateful people have been on both sides, including Christians. All the despising of Trump saddened me the last four years, just as the despising of Obama grieved me the previous eight.

Christians, can we learn to making loving each other Christians priority, regardless of politics or other things that divide? That's the way the world will know we're His disciples - it's not our politics.