Is God Conservative or Liberal?

Republicans, Democrats, self-espoused liberals, conservatives, progressives, tea-partiers and probably several more political factions take upon themselves the title of Christian when the mood strikes them and the political winds blow their respective ways. We have all been told by elected and would-be elected officials, that they uphold Christian values, or that their respective faiths “inform” their decision-making. I certainly have no issue with a political candidate using his or her first amendment right to discuss personal beliefs. What I believe is problematic; however, is when a candidate (or elected official) uses this as a tactic to expand a base of political support.

On this subject, I would encourage you to consider the following scriptures.

• A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another”1 (John 13:34-35 NASB).

• For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush1 (Luke 6: 43-44 NASB).

• “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’1 (Matthew 7:21-23 NASB).

The overall point here is that you cannot simply say, “I am a follower of Jesus” and have it be so. While your words give an indication as to our beliefs (whether they be lies or truth), our actions bear out what is actually inside us. There is much more to this point that we can discuss later. When a candidate or elected official shouts one passage of scripture from the podium while flatly ignoring others (again, as evidenced by actions), it is merely a matter of political expediency. In other words, they say these things to manipulate people into endorsing them, financially supporting them and eventually voting for them.

Think about it this way, when was the last time you heard an elected official adopt a position that is clearly antithetical to Biblical doctrine while waiving the flag of their faith? Interestingly, all the factions I mentioned above make use of this tactic in virtually every election. Unfortunately, all too often we become rabid supporters of our manipulators because of our interpretation of what the Lord meant by the statements above. In other words, “I’m right, my candidate agrees with me (and therefore must be right) so you (opposing candidates and his/her supporters) are wrong and evil. If you think this is hyperbole, take a break from reading this and login to your social media account for a moment… I’ll wait…

It probably didn’t take you long to find an example of what I’m talking about. Here is the crux of the matter: The God of the universe is not a member of your political party. Furthermore, The God of the universe did not found your political party. To take it even one step further (and most importantly) His thoughts, points of view, ideas and mandates are absolute. They are without error, without controversy and absolutely immutable. That is, what you and I think of what He says in no way affects the absolute truth of His word.

So if God is no more an adherent to a political faction than he is a fan of a sports team, why are our allegiances to them so easily won? Why, when they depart from the faith they frequently espouse, do we not question them and remind them that our first allegiance is to The Most High?

Remember this as you view social media and feel compelled to rake everyone with whom you disagree over the coals: Israel had Saul as king for a short time, not because he was the best qualified but because they rejected God as being their king.

Be careful not to compromise your faith because it seems expedient to align yourself with a faction.

1 New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation