During the recent presidential election cycle, I started asking myself, as a Christian, what is my place in politics? I see so many other Christians participating in political discourse in such a negative way; by which I mean misusing scripture to endorse their political views. I cannot be the only one who has noticed people using scripture to support ideas that are clearly against God’s word by cherry picking portions of scripture to make it fit their argument… no matter how off base it is.
Christians are called to live by Christ's example (1 Peter 2:21), which centers on the two greatest commandments: loving God fully and loving others selflessly (Matthew 22:37-40). Agape love—unconditional and sacrificial—is the standard for loving others, demonstrating Christ’s character to the world (John 13:34-35). Christians are to be lights in the world, guiding others to God through their love and good works (Matthew 5:14-16).
1 Peter 2:17 outlines four key commands for Christians: Honor everyone. Love fellow believers deeply. Fear God. Honor governing authorities. These instructions emphasize valuing all people, especially those in the faith, while maintaining reverence for God and respect for civil leadership.
Christians are urged to steer clear of divisive and unproductive arguments (Titus 3:9; 2 Timothy 2:23-26). Instead, they should exemplify gentleness, patience, and kindness, correcting opponents with love to lead them toward repentance and truth.
Christians are reminded that their ultimate allegiance is to God’s kingdom, not earthly systems (John 18:36). Their mission is to proclaim God’s glory and lead others to salvation, acting as ambassadors of Christ (1 Peter 2:9; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21).
Christians must remain humble, remembering their salvation is by God’s mercy and grace (Titus 3:1-5). This humility should inspire love, peace, and reconciliation with others, avoiding retaliation or prideful attitudes (Romans 12:14-21).
Christians are charged with making disciples of all nations, baptizing them, and teaching obedience to Christ’s commands (Matthew 28:19-20). This mission requires prioritizing heart transformation over political influence.
Christians are called to reflect Christ's love and humility in all areas of life, including their interactions in the political sphere. Their focus should be on shaping hearts and leading others to God, rather than engaging in divisive or worldly disputes.
First and foremost, as Christians, followers of Christ, we are charged with living by the examples that Christ laid out:
For you have been called for this purpose, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you would follow in His steps
1 Peter 2:21 (NASB)
Christ’s example revolved around the two greatest commandments that he laid out in Matthew:
(37) And He said to him, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE Lord YOUR God WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ (38) This is the great and foremost commandment. (39) The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ (40) Upon these two commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets.’
Matthew 22:37-40 (NASB)
In this verse, he starts with the greatest of the two commandments, which I think is self-evident to a Christian, and the easier of the two commandments to adhere to; the total devotion of ourselves to God. The second, command is the harder of the two for us to live up to in this fallen world in we exist, but Jesus repeats it in John 13 while adding the importance of doing so:
(34) A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. (35) By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
John 13:34-35 (ESV)
This verse parallels the guidance that we are given in Matthew 5 that:
(14) You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; (15) nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. (16) Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16 (NASB)
We are called to let our light shine for others to see, to be a beacon to set others on their path to the Son so that they may know the Father. By expressing our love for one another, we will exemplify our good works (love) and be the light that draws others to Christ. The love that is presented in the original Greek writing is from the root Agape which means "the highest form of love, charity" or "the love of God for human beings and of human beings for God". It is love without the expectation of return, this is how we are called to love others, and by loving like this, we are a living example of Christ on Earth. In 1 Peter, we are given four commands that sum up how we are to be representatives of Christ in the fallen world:
Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
1 Peter 2:17 (ESV)
Here we see a differentiation between everyone and the brotherhood. Agape is still used when discussing the love that we need to have for the brotherhood, but now we see Paul use the word Timēsate which literally translates to “place a great value or high price on something” which differs from the word Timate which translates to our normally understood definition of honor which is more akin to showing due respect. This means that we are to place a great value on EVERYONE, not just the brotherhood.
Finally, our love for one another will be a consideration on the day of judgement. Though we may always keep in our hearts and minds the absolute love for God, if we let slip our love for one another, we fall short of the second command, and this is mentioned in 1 John:
By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, we also are in this world.
1 John 4:17 (NASB)
This is all important to the role of Christians in politics because we are called to:
… avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
Titus 3:9 (ESV)
And:
(23) Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. (24) And the Lord 's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, (25) correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, (26) and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
2 Timothy 2:23-26 (ESV)
Because we are to:
… seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness …
John 18:36 (NASB)
and remember that Jesus said that:
… 'My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.'
John 18:36 (NASB)
So, then, our charge is not to be political, but to avoid these types of arguments so that we may be approachable to win others to the grace that God has given us by bringing us into his kingdom to which we should guide others to:
But you are A CHOSEN PEOPLE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
1 Peter 2:9 (NASB)
Paul discusses this attitude many times in his letters. First, he reminds us that we are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God and that was Christ’s purpose in coming to earth in his corporeal form and taking his journey to the cross:
It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost.
1 Timothy 1:15 (NASB)
An important distinction in this verse is the tense used; at this time, Paul was born again and reclaimed by Christ, but he does not say that “I was the foremost sinner”, he states that he IS the foremost. Paul expands on this in his second letter to the Corinthians:
(18) Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, (19) namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their wrongdoings against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. (20) Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (21) He made Him who knew no sin to be sin in our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
2 Corinthians 5:18-21 (NASB)
So, keeping in our minds at all times that the only difference between us and all of the other sinners of the world is that we know Jesus Christ took our sin and we now live under grace, we are called to:
(1) Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, (2) to slander no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing every consideration for all people. (3) For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. (4) But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, (5) He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
Titus 3:1-5 (NASB)
To this end we are to:
(14) Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. (15) Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. (16) Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. (17) Never repay evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all people. (18) If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people. (19) Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written: 'VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,' says the Lord. (20) BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM; IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.' (21) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:14-21 (NASB)
Having these attitudes will allow us to:
(19) Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'
Matthew 28:19-20 (NASB)