Daily Devotional

Even as I typed the title for this devotional, “How Should Christians Act During an Election Year?” I thought, “The answer is obvious…Christians should act like they do every other year.”

I do understand, however, that during presidential election years our passions get fired up. Your side wins or your side loses. So half the country is happy, and half the country is sad. The country ends up divided.

During the election year, we can sometimes get so immersed in backing a particular candidate that our identity becomes tied to him or her. For example, someone says, “That’s Brian. He’s a Trump-supporter.” As Christians, we have to remember that our identity is found in Christ alone. That’s far more important than who you support in the election.

By the way, please understand what I am not saying. I am not saying that who you vote for doesn’t matter. It absolutely does. We’ve been given the opportunity to have a part in identifying who will fill the highest political office in our country. Members of the U.S. Military and their families have sacrificed greatly over the years to give us this freedom. Make sure you pray. And make sure the candidate you vote for lines up as closely to biblical values as possible.

So, here is how Christians should act during an election year (and every year)...

1. Love your neighbor as yourself (Mt.22:39)
Who do we love? Our neighbor. Who are they? Not just the person living near your house or apartment, but the person at the store, the person you work with, the person you’re related to, and the person who will represent you in Washington, D.C.
How do we love them? As yourself. What you do for yourself, do for them. “Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.” (Lk.6:31) That’s loving your neighbor as yourself.

2. Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Mt.5:43-44)
This is one of the hardest commands Jesus gives. How do we love those who make fun of us, speak negatively about our beliefs, and even try to hurt us? We follow Jesus’ example. What was the first thing Jesus said from the cross after the soldiers crucified Him? He prayed “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (Lk.23:34)

If someone disagrees with your candidate of choice does that make them an enemy? No. But let’s remember who we are. We belong to Christ. We represent Christ to a lost world. Let’s love those who disagree with us.

3. Give preference to one another in honor (Rom.12:10)
It is never okay for Christians to talk negatively about someone else. We can find respectful ways to state the reasons why we believe a certain candidate is the right choice. We don’t have to demean someone else in the process. Be subjective saying, “Here’s why I believe this is the right candidate.” And be slow to anger when someone disagrees with you.

4. Show tolerance for one another in love (Eph.4:2)
Patience. It’s a fruit (Gal.5:22) and is present in the life of every Christian. You will encounter people during this upcoming election that will require a lot of patience. But no matter how strongly you disagree with their views, realize Christ loves them and died for them. And if they don’t know Christ, you never know, the patience you exhibit toward them may be the very thing that leads them to accept Christ.

5. Don’t become boastful (Gal.5:26)
“God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (Jms.4:6) Pride is the root of all sin. When we become prideful, we start to look down on others. You come across someone who has a different view from you, and you have really good reasons to believe the way you do, so you find yourself thinking you’re better. Not good. Try to understand where a person is coming from. Love them. Listen to them. Be humble.

6. Stand Firm (Eph.6:14)
“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” (1 Cor.16:13)
Make sure you are standing for the truth. Wherever possible back your beliefs up with Scripture. Make it clear when you are standing for something that is your preference or opinion rather than biblical truth. We all have things we want in a candidate that tie into something very personal to us, and may not be biblical, or even something everyone wants, even other Christians.

7. As far as it depends on you, live at peace with all men. (Rom.12:18)
As a Christian, you have peace with God because of Christ. He died in your place. You received what He did on the cross as the only payment for your sin, and you were reconciled to God. So don’t let anyone rob you of that peace.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.” (Col.3:15).

Whatever happens in the election, “Seek peace and pursue it.” (Ps.34:14).

8. You shall be my witnesses (Ac.1:8a)
The earlier part of the verse says “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.” Our witness for Christ comes from the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Everything you say, do, and type on social media is a witness of the work of Christ in your life.

Don’t forget that. You are called to represent the love of Christ, not just in an election year…but every year.

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