Gods Judgement

Sometimes we can believe in something so strongly that we feel everyone should believe the same way. While you might be allowed to disagree on teh merit of Ford vs. Chevy (or vise versa), few subjects push the hot buttons like a discussion of one's political beliefs or affiliation. 

Many Christians brand other Christians as traitors or "un-American" for choosing one political party over another. Because a group of people might feel one way, when it must be "the right way" to think. Sometimes these well-meaning Christians even go so far as labeling those who oppose them as un-Christian. But Jesus warns against this kind of judgmental attitude against other people. 

{Matthew 7:1-5}

1 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 

2 For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.

3 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?  

4 How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye?  

5 Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.

{Romans 2:1-4}

1 You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. 

2 And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. 

3 Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? 

4Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

Some issues are black and white, while others-like political affiliation-are gray. When it come to politics, God is neither for nor against any political party. After all, he's the King of the universe, not a closet Republican or Democrat. All true authority belongs to him. And he's not handing out wholesale endorsements to any one party. 

Jesus said that his kingdom is not of this world, John 18:36. Too often we blend the lines between faith and politics and confuse them as the same issue. However, we need to remember that Jesus never had a political agenda while he was on earth, and he declined opportunities to comment on political issues or become a political leader. When Jesus interacted with people, he cared about their heart issues, not their political affiliation-and so should we. 

When it comes to political issues, we need to be wise. The Bible advises us to "be as shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves", Matthew 10:16. Instead of accepting at face value that one group or another has "the whole truth", the wise person investigates the facts for themselves before they make a decision. 

While it's good to take our civic responsibilities seriously (and we could use more Christians in politics), it's unhealthy when we allow politics to become the defining issue of our lives. Political affiliation is only and always secondary to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. -Women's Devotional Bible

{Deuteronomy 10:17} 
“For the Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed.

{Acts 5:29} 
But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.

{Acts 10:34-35}

34 Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism.  

35 In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right. 

{Romans 2:11}

For God does not show favoritism.