Joyful Moments in Christ

As we emerge from this election season, it is essential to pause and reflect: Are we truly treating our brothers and sisters in Christ with kindness, respect, and love? This season placed many of us in a deeply challenging position, faced with complex choices that felt impossible to reconcile. For some, we were the ones passionately insisting that a particular candidate embodied Jesus’ teachings more closely. For others, it was family members or friends making those claims. For many, it was a strange mixture of trying to find a balance between things that had something to do with the Bible, things that had nothing to do with the Bible, and things that were clearly against the Bible. With no one side being anywhere near complete alignment with the Bible, this created an atmosphere of tension, division, and strained relationships that tested our faith and character.

I had hoped that once the election was decided, the tension would ease and we could begin to heal. Yet, scrolling through my Facebook feed tells a different story. Instead of reconciliation, I’ve seen an outpouring of anger and condemnation, with Christians attacking one another over differing perspectives.

How have we, as followers of Christ, reached a point where civility and grace are absent, even within our own community? We have a divided house!

Tragically, Philippians 2:1-2, intended to inspire unity in Christ, is often misused to justify mean-spirited comments. Some wield it as a weapon, implying that unity in Christ demands identical political beliefs. What a distortion of its true intent! True unity in Christ is not about absolute conformity but about shared love, humility, and purpose in the Spirit.

It is incredibly disheartening to see Christians elevate political candidates as examples of Christian virtue when neither embodies the fullness of Christ. Trump may brandish a Bible in public, but rarely demonstrates engagement with its teachings. Harris speaks of interfaith values, but does not emphasize a personal relationship with Jesus. If either Trump or Harris embody the way, the truth, OR the life, it is no wonder that a huge percentage of America wants nothing to do with Christianity! Both fall far short of the standard set by Christ, who IS the way, the truth, and the life.

When we reduce Christianity to soundbites or single-issue ideologies, we miss the depth and richness of Jesus’ teachings. Yes, He calls us to sexual purity, but that includes addressing not only homosexuality, but also premarital sex, adultery, and pornography. Yes, He calls us to value life, but this encompasses more than opposing abortion; it includes caring for the abused, neglected, and vulnerable across all stages of life. Yes, He calls us to love our neighbors, but this love does not mean condoning sin and turning permissiveness into a law; it means leading others toward His transformative light.

As soon as we cling to one aspect of Jesus’ teachings while dismissing others, we misrepresent Him entirely. Jesus didn’t come to inspire division or hatred. His ministry consistently challenged the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, who valued law over love. Have we, as modern Christians on either the far right OR the far left, become the new Pharisees? If so, how do we return to the heart of His teachings and reflect the fullness of His transformative love?

We are all part of the same body, each with unique callings and priorities. Some of us are drawn to champion purity; others focus on social justice or bridging divides. Instead of despising one another for these differences or for voting differently, let us remember our shared mission: to reflect the love and grace of Christ.

Like it or not, we are called to love one another as Jesus loves us, with humility, forgiveness, and compassion. Christianity is not one-dimensional; it encompasses every part of our being—body, mind, and soul—and calls us to live as reflections of Christ’s love. Let us put an end to the hatred and division among us. Let’s stop dividing our own house. If we cannot love one another, how can we expect the world to see and embrace the love of Jesus?

Reflection Questions

Personal Reflection

1. In what ways do my interactions with others, especially those with differing opinions, reflect kindness and respect? Where can I improve?
2. How do I balance humility and conviction in my beliefs, especially during contentious times like elections?
3. Have I ever used scripture to justify my opinions or actions in a way that might not align with Christ’s teachings? How can I ensure I don’t misuse His word?

Unity in Christ

4. How can we live out Philippians 2:1-2 in a way that fosters unity without requiring uniformity of opinion?
5. What steps can I take to ensure my love for fellow Christians transcends political disagreements or societal divides?
6. How can I celebrate the diversity of callings within the body of Christ while remaining committed to my own?

Jesus as Our Example

7. Reflecting on John 14:6, how can I better center my life on Jesus as “the way, the truth, and the life,” rather than on political figures or movements?
8. Have I elevated cultural or political ideals above the teachings of Christ? If so, how can I realign my focus?
9. How can we encourage one another to reflect Jesus’ fullness—His love, truth, and grace—in every area of life?

Loving Our Neighbor

10. How can I better embody the second greatest commandment, to love my neighbor as myself, even when we disagree deeply?
11. How does my treatment of others demonstrate the forgiveness and patience described in Colossians 3:12-13?
12. What practical steps can I take to replace judgment or strife with compassion and understanding?

A Call to Action

13. In what ways can I move beyond soundbites and clichés to embrace the multi-faceted teachings of Jesus more fully?
14. How can I stand firm in my beliefs while remaining gentle and respectful toward those who oppose them (2 Timothy 2:22-25)?
15. What changes in my life or community can help Christianity be seen not as a symbol of division, but as a source of hope and love?

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English Standard Version (ESV): Unless otherwise noted, scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.