Few people would doubt that America is going through a very difficult time right now politically. Since the last presidential election we have seen our nation become more and more divided politically. Civil discourse is hard to find. Even before President Trump was sworn into office congressional Democrats were demanding his impeachment. Mobs took to the streets protesting his election. For the better part of three years his enemies have investigated every rumor, leaking information and rumors to the press to be proclaimed as absolute truth to the masses in hopes of causing his followers to lose faith in him and question his legitimacy to the office he holds. The House finally did vote to impeach the president only because the Democrats held the majority, but now for reasons only known to the Speaker, she refuses to send that impeachment to the Senate for a vote.
The president has hardly done himself any favors. He is often crass, rude and obnoxious in his statements, both spoken and published on social media. He has shown himself to be thin-skinned and unable to take criticism. No doubt, many of his supporters wishes he would be a little more presidential in his actions and words.
One thing is certain: it will take years for the divisions that now exist in our nation to heal, and they may never heal completely. Some have suggested that because of the impeachment of this president that every president in the future is likely to be impeached, especially if the opposite party controls the House. If this happens it will be a sad day for our nation.
What is even sadder is that the divisions we see in our nation are also seen in our churches and between people of faith. Christian leaders have spoken strongly against President Trump and even questioned the faith of those who support him while other Christian leaders have proclaimed him to be God's man for our time. Christians have gone on social media attacking one another for their political views.
The recent article in Christianity Today is just one example of the divisions affecting the church. The article listed many reasons why the president should be removed from office. It was written by an editor who was just days away from retiring from his position. It kind of reminded me of the pastor who preaches his last sermon at the church he is leaving with his car engine running in the parking lot. He can say what he wants to say and get out of town fast without having to worry about any consequences.
Of course, the secular media ran with the story as proof that the president should be removed from office. I doubt that anyone in the secular press had ever given much credence to anything Christianity Today published before, but since it fit their agenda they gave it plenty of press. The article further divided Christians with leaders on both sides of the issues taking to social media to make their claims.
Who really benefits from this division? The only one who benefits from such division among Christians is Satan himself. While we continue to fight among ourselves and attack each other over our political beliefs we are distracted from the work God has given the church. Furthermore, the unchurched community looks at us and sees us as nothing more than another bitterly divided political entity. We have one message to give to the world, and it is not the Democratic message or the Republican message; it is the message of the Gospel. Our political divisions are creating stumbling blocks that can prevent people from coming to Jesus Christ.
Does that mean that we cannot have political beliefs and opinions? Of course not. One of the problems today is that the church stayed out of the political arena for too many years. Christians should be involved in the political process, but we must tone down the rhetoric and stop attacking one another. Support and vote for the candidates of your choice, but don't hate those who vote for that person's opponent and don't question their faith or their values because they don't vote or believe as you do. I long ago gave up the hope that our political office holders (I don't call them leaders any more.) would unify for the good of the nation. I still pray that our religious leaders can unify for the good of the Kingdom of God. That, my friends, is far more important than promoting any political agenda.
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