I’ve been called lots of things in my life but “unchristian”, “hateful” and “un-American” are new to me, especially since the one who threw
those monikers at me was a Pastor’s wife! She apparently did not take kindly to my posting on FB a couple of articles that presented her presidential candidate in a less than favourable light and was very quick to write a very long explanation why her candidate was worthy of her vote and the other one was not.
I have deleted the article postings because who am I to cause another to stumble?
I am “un-American”… I am Canadian, so she was totally right with that one comment, but to call me hateful and unchristian because we disagreed on opinion just goes to show how terribly divisive this Presidential Campaign has become for Christians here in North America. And the enemy, (Satan) is having a hay day!!
What better way for the enemy to gain a foothold in the world but to pit Christian against Christian? The more divided we are amongst ourselves, the less relevant our witness is to those who are unbelievers. The more we bicker amongst ourselves, the less we have time to do what Christ called us to do: Share the Gospel!
Sitting in pews, in churches all across our two nations, Canada and the U.S.A., there are well-meaning Christians who have polarizing opinions on who should sit in the Oval Office in Washington, D.C. Christian authors and Pastors who have spoken out in favour of one or the other candidate have instantly been ostracized by congregants and by the Christian community who may disagree with their presidential choice. I have read comments online from Christians who threaten to “never read” or buy any more of Max Lucado’s books for example, just because he has a differing opinion from them as to who should be in the White House. Unbelievable!
There are good folks who sit beside me in church who do not share the same opinions as I do about MANY societal issues. I have a right to my opinion as they do to theirs. It is not right for me to question whether or not they are more or less “Christian” than I am based on those opinions. Unless their opinion or mine goes against direct Biblical teaching, we should continue to live in fellowship with one another and try to avoid any divisive words between us.
“But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.” 1 Corinthians 12:24-26 ESV
“I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” 1 Corinthians 1:10-13
This presidential election is making one thing abundantly clear: we are under a Spiritual attack from the enemy as never before in my lifetime, and the Church needs to recognize it and pray against the attack now! One of the most effective strategies of Satan is to bring about division in the Body of Christ. Jesus’ desire is for Church unity:
“My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” John 17: 15-23
What is happening when we are name-calling one another, questioning our faith in Christ and refusing to forgive another brother or sister for differing opinions? We are causing a line of division amongst believers, we are grieving the Holy Spirit, and a waiting, watching world is ultimately rejecting our message of peace and hope.
For shame, America, (and Canada) for shame!
Lynn Dove's Journey Thoughts 
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Thanks for sharing such a nice opinion, post is
good, thats why i have read it completely
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Hey. This is really an insightful post. I agree with this. As Christians, we should agree to disagree agreeably in non-foundational issues. Looking forward for more blog posts. I’m blessed by it. God bless you! 🙂
P.S. I just want to share a quote, “In essentials unity, In non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.” I forgot who the author was. Anyway, thank you for your blog posts. 🙂
I try to stay away from politics because I tend not to agree with the usual suspected issues in my faith set, but I am just floored when I’m called out as being non-Christian or someone doubts the sincerity of my faith when I pray for them or teach about how to interact with people who aren’t currently following the same faith values. I don’t live with blinders and am not called to live in closed community with other members of a cloistered organization. I’m not living for shock value but I am living to show that Jesus sometimes took a whip to the money lenders, spoke harshly to the uber-righteous and had lunch with non-conformists. Can’t find those folks in the monastery or convent–at least not admittedly. I am not saying we shouldn’t surround ourselves with like-minded Christians, but then there’d be no call to evangelize, eh?
Who sits in the White House is less important than Who sits on God’s Throne.
This is such a “God thing!” As I was driving home from a board function, I was praying to God about how my political beliefs seem to differ from many of my good friends and fellow Christians. I sometimes feel dishonest about not speaking up but I know without a doubt if I did, in their eyes my testimony would be damaged irreparably! When I opened your post, it was so much like a word from God. Thank you for being His spokesperson to me tonight!
The word tells us to go to a brother or sister in private. My thoughts are that SHE is going to cause many to stumble with her words. You can go to her and, as the word says, explain gently, that we are to represent Christ, and mixing politics is not only contrary to that representation, but can cause many weaker Christians to stumble. Being at the top, her responsibility before GOD is greater than those being led by them. You can go to her in a spirit of meekness and hopefully help her to redirect her anger at the devil where it ought to be.
AMEN! In the end, we are accountable to God for our decisions and choices. As to church leadership, they are even more accountable because they are the shepherds of the flocks that were given the responsibility to lead with the Word of God. Led by the Word of God does not mean to show favor towards a candidate. We should be asking God to impart discernment in our hearts along with the confirmation from the Word of God. Then it becomes a “private” issue between us and God on how we vote. As to the FB comments…the only comment I would suggest is that if opinions are given in a post, make sure to add at the bottom, “It’s okay to disagree, but let’s do this privately and not over social media…thank you!” 😉
The word tells us to go to a brother or sister in private. My thoughts are that SHE is going to cause many to stumble with her words. You can go to her and, as the word says, explain gently, that we are to represent Christ, and mixing politics is not only contrary to that representation, but can cause many weaker Christians to stumble. Not to mention that it shows a lack of faith. I personally don’t see anything wrong in having an opinion, especially if you are trying to be salt and light (something Hillary needs shed on her evil heart). I think we should bring to light those things that are hidden in the darkness. I tell people I want to vote for the person God leads me to. Who knows that God might grant that person repentance. Reagan was pro-choice, a democrat and divorced. And God turned his heart around because he stood up for what was right and was humble enough to examine his beliefs.
Being at the top, her responsibility before GOD is greater than those being led by them. You can go to her in a spirit of meekness and hopefully help her to redirect her anger at the devil where it ought to be.