As we finished up our sermon series on politics called “Undivided Kingdom” at The Harbor, I wanted to provide a short overview and reminder of the key signposts of a politically undivided heart. These aren’t the only signs, but they are some of the most foundational from our series.
If you’d like to download a PDF copy of the 10 Signs, you can get a two page document with the description of each sign HERE, or a one page document with just the 10 signs HERE. I also posted this on my social media channels today if you want to share them there.
You can watch the entire sermon series HERE on The Harbor website. Or by going to our YouTube channel as well. The PDFs are also available on each individual sermon page on the website.
- An identity firmly rooted in God’s Kingdom, from which all other identities flow and are surrendered. (1 Peter 1:1, 1 Peter 2:11, Philippians 1:27)
As followers of Jesus, we may have been born in America or belong to it by choice, but we have been born again into a new Kingdom. A Kingdom wholly other than the political one in which we live. This new Kingdom and its ways, under the authority of King Jesus, should be our primary identity, from which all other identities flow and are surrendered.
2. A healthy fear of God alone, refusing to be driven by fear of a potential political future. (1 Peter 2:17)
When we are driven by fear, promote fear, or react with fear, we tell the world that we don’t trust in God – our hope is not really in Him. This doesn’t mean we can’t experience fear. There are real-life ramifications for certain people, no matter who is elected; it just means we refuse to be driven by any fear except a healthy fear of God alone.
3. Humble, intentional, and prayerful curiosity, seeking to understand why others view, believe, and vote differently than I do. (Philippians 2:4-5)
When we divide and distance ourselves from people who disagree with us, are not like us, or believe differently, we can easily begin to demonize them for their position, thus trying to convince ourselves and others how bad and dangerous they are. In humbly seeking to understand, we still may not agree with their conclusion but might understand how they arrived there.
4. Living properly, different than the world around us. Putting on the “shining armor of right living.” Avoiding quarrels, jealousy, manipulation, and fear-mongering in our political discourse. (1 Peter 2:12-17, Romans 13:11-13)
Quarreling and quibbling over political ideologies or using fear, manipulation, belittling, or name-calling is not the kind of light Jesus wants us to be shining. It doesn’t stand out as being different. We are to engage the political arena with the same attitude Christ Jesus had. We are to engage through the lens of the Sermon on the Mount, not the rallying cry of either party. If we truly believe that what we believe is real, our lives will reflect it.
5. Living with urgency to be a people of love. (Romans 13:8-11, Matthew 5:43-38, Romans 12:14)
Our obligation as followers of Jesus is not to vote a certain way or to seek certain laws, but to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Paul said that ‘time is running out.’ The urgency is increasing. But it wasn’t an urgency to replace the king or get new laws in place; it was an urgency to live out our obligation as people of love. At the end of the day, people (including politicians) are not my enemy. They are God’s creation, made in His image, and Jesus died for them just as He died for me.
6. A longing for the presence of God, displaying a hope that makes no sense to an unbelieving world. (Romans 13:14, 1 Peter 3:15-16)
What is it we long for the most? Let us long for the presence of Christ on the throne of our hearts and in our homes over the presence of a certain person at the Oval Office in the White House. Let us long for the law of Christ to be written on our hearts over specific laws or policies being established by the White House. Let us pray for God’s Kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven, over praying for a certain person to win the election.
7. Praying for all people, including our leaders, especially for those with whom we disagree. (1 Timothy 2:1-6, Ezekiel 22:30)
The command for how we should pray for our leaders doesn’t change because of who is leading. Ask God to help them the same way you want God to help you. Intercede on their behalf, praying for their faith to be firmly rooted in Jesus Christ and that they would understand and live out the Truth. Thank God for them. Not thanking God for their policies or decisions, but thanking God for them, understanding that their authority comes from God and they would not be in a position of authority outside of God’s permission.
8. Not anointing one candidate or party as God’s chosen candidate or party. (Daniel 2:21, Romans 13:1, John 19:11a)
The Republican party is not out to advance the Kingdom of God, and neither is the Democratic party. Republicans are not more Christian than Democrats and vice versa. Both parties hold certain values higher than others, and someone could argue that certain values are more Biblical than the opponents. Jesus didn’t come to set up parties or establish countries; He came to begin an upside-down Kingdom, a Kingdom that can not only exist but thrive and multiply inside of any earthly Kingdom without any power or control.
9. Spending more time listening to the voice of Jesus rather than the voice of culture. (Matthew 5-7)
We should more discipled and inspired by the Word of God than the words of Fox News, CNN, or name your favorite preferred news outlet or political pundit. We should know, meditate on, talk about, and live out the Sermon on the Mount more so than the platforms of our preferred political party or their opponents.
10. All of God’s ethical concerns and values become our ethical concerns and values, not just the ones our preferred party supports. (Romans 12:9)
Including, but not limited to, a whole life value from the womb to the tomb. God’s best for flourishing in human sexuality. Strengthening and supporting marriage and family. Seeking justice for the poor, marginalized, mistreated, and vulnerable and seeking basic human rights and pathways for human flourishing for all people. Protecting against all forms of discrimination and advocating for equality and justice. Restraining violence. Seeking peace. Showing dignity, concern, and generosity toward immigrants and refugees. Taking care of God’s creation. Praising what God calls good and calling out what He calls evil, starting with the evil in my heart.