Don’t Let Politics Steal Your Peace
Whose side is Jesus on, politically?
Someone once said, “Jesus didn’t come to take sides. He came to take over.”
Joël and Jonathan Malm | YouVersion
Politics can make us anxious, angry, and worried, but it doesn’t have to.
As followers of Christ, we are citizens of another Kingdom—a Kingdom of Love, Joy, Hope, and Peace.
This message by Joel Malm will help you stay Calm, Cool, and Collected in the middle of the storm of politics.
Don’t Let Politics Steal Your Peace
United in Spite of Differences
It’s easy to get angry, frustrated, or just downright confused at peoples’ different political allegiances.
We all want the same things, but we disagree about how to get those things we all want.
When we can love our fellow Christians who believe differently than us, we show the world what unity really looks like.
Real unity can happen, even when we disagree politically. This kind of unity shows Christ to the world.
John 17:20-21 KJV
[20] Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
[21] that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
Don’t Let Politics Steal Your Peace
How can a Christian vote for that person?
It’s easy to get angry, frustrated, or just downright confused at peoples’ different political allegiances.
We all want the same things, but we disagree about how to get those things we all want.
Having different political opinions doesn’t mean we can’t still be united.
As E. Stanley Jones once said, “This unity in Christ is not a unity of uniformity, but unity in diversity.”
We can have different political views but still rally around Christ.
Our ability to disagree with brothers and sisters politically, but still stay united around our belief in Christ, sets an example of love to the world around us.
In John 17, Jesus prayed that we would be unified in the goal of sharing Christ with the world in spite of differences.
When we can love our fellow Christians who believe differently than us, we show the world what unity really looks like.
Real unity can happen, even when we disagree politically. This kind of unity shows Christ to the world.
When you get frustrated or irritated with someone’s political views today, seek unity.
Find common ground. Focus on Jesus—the real hope for the world.
Don’t Let Politics Steal Your Peace
We Serve a King
Our current political climate can lead to all sorts of anxiety, worry, anger, and frustration.
Even the calmest among us can find something that irritates or concerns us.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
As Christians, we can have total confidence that our God is active in our world today, no matter what the political climate looks like.
Regardless of how chaotic and messy our world may get, or who wins an election, God is still the Sovereign Ruler over everything we see.
Nothing surprises Him. Nothing catches Him off guard. He is always working out His plan.
This is the foundation for finding peace in the middle of politics:
as Christians, we have to remember that no matter the outcome of the election, God will ultimately accomplish His purposes.
Even in the middle of difficulty and challenges, God’s people can thrive because they are citizens of a Kingdom that isn’t shaken.
Read Psalm 47 today and be reminded that God is ruling and reigning.
Find peace, knowing that no matter what happens in politics, God is still in ultimate control, and He will accomplish His purposes.
Don’t Let Politics Steal Your Peace
The Politics of Fear
Politics can lead to lots of anxiety and fear.
Fear was the first emotion Adam and Eve felt when they were separated from God, the source of everything they needed.
Ever since then, the human race has struggled with fear of not getting what we want and need.
And we all want the same things.
We want:
- Security (Physical, Financial, and Emotional)
- Connection (Relationships, Compassion, Feeling Valued and Accepted)
- Freedom (Empowerment, Options for ourselves and our family)
Political parties build their platforms around those things and make promises to meet those needs.
But they can also use fear to persuade you that the “other side” wants to take those things from you.
As citizens of God’s Kingdom,
we need to regularly remind ourselves that no matter what a politician may promise (or threaten), our source for security, connection, and freedom is God’s love.
He is the only one who can ultimately fulfill those needs. No matter who wins elections, God is the source for all we need.
Take some time today to remind yourself that God is the source of your security, connection, and freedom.
We don’t have to be afraid, because God’s Spirit of power and love lives inside of us.
His Kingdom is where you will find the fulfillment for all you need.
James 1:19-20 KJV
[19] Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
[20] for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
Don’t Let Politics Steal Your Peace
Those people make me so angry!
When we are afraid a political party will threaten something we value, our fear can easily turn into anger.
We may even get angry at other Christians.
Anger is always a secondary emotion.
So, Anger is a response to feeling a threat to security, connection, or freedom.
And Anger drives us to action.
There is such a thing as righteous anger, but it’s rare. Most of the time, we get angry because we feel a threat to ourselves or our family.
When we get angry, it’s easy to lash out, react, or say things we later regret.
It’s much easier to act like a Christian than to react like one.
Our reactions show what’s deep inside. If we have lots of fear, it will often lead to frustration and anger.
James 1:19-20 KJV talks about how important it is to slow down when you get angry.
We have to be quick to listen and slow to speak, even if we don’t agree with the other person.
When we respond in the heat of our anger, we fall into the “anger of man,” which will not accomplish God’s purposes.
Today, when you see or hear something that starts to make you angry, slow down. Step away. Say a prayer and ask for God’s help.
Remember, God loves the person who is making you angry.
That person wants the same things as you do.
Let anger remind you that only God’s love can fulfill our deepest needs.
Pray for peace.
And Pray for the person who is making you angry. Let God’s peace replace your anger.
Don’t Let Politics Steal Your Peace
Whose side is Jesus on, politically?
Someone once said, “Jesus didn’t come to take sides. He came to take over.”
Jesus came to bring the Kingdom of God here on earth.
His life, death, and resurrection are the example of what this Kingdom stands for.
As followers of Christ, we are called to live by the standards of His Kingdom. We are called to be on His side.
This means we recognize that no government of man will provide the security, connection, and control we need. Only God can do that.
We pledge our allegiance to Him first.
Yes, We live in the world, but always remember that God is the source for what we need.
This brings peace and confidence, no matter what the political climate may bring.
It also causes us to be examples to the world around us.
Daniel lived under the rule of the king of Babylon. But he didn’t forget that he pledged allegiance to God, first.
He knew he was an ambassador of God’s Kingdom right where he lived.
And He set an example of peace and love, right in the middle of that kingdom.
We are called to be ambassadors, as well.
No matter what happens around us, we pledge allegiance to another King and he is where our peace and confidence comes from.
Eventually, the king of Babylon had an encounter with God’s power. God humbled him.
He was forced to recognize that God was the supreme King over the world.
His words, recorded in the Bible, are a great reminder for us that God is ruling and reigning over the rulers of the earth.
He is in charge, and He will accomplish His purposes.
We live as ambassadors of the Lord in our own country.
And We Walk in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control,
showing our world what our allegiance to a higher kingdom looks like.
Keep your eyes focused on Jesus, not a leader or a politician, and you can be confident that politics won’t steal your peace.
(This message was written by Joël Malm)
Also Read: Protests Alone Don’t Guarantee Change! – Diademng (thediademng.org)
Don’t Let Politics Steal Your Peace
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