Today in reading Luke 5:1-39, I became convicted in my heart for judging the motives of my sisters and brothers in Christ Jesus about their choice of candidate for the Presidential Election. I had arrogantly assumed their 'wrong selection of their candidate of choice' was based upon their fear of the economical situation. Therefore, blindly forgetting what 'I believed to be' more important: a candidate's position on abortion.
So reading about how the Pharisees constantly followed Jesus around to disprove His position as the Messiah or that He was of God, to the point of lying on him...accusing of Him of false motives for doing what He was doing, made me angry. Suddenly, I was being convicted by way of another story in the Old Testament. Where Nathan the Prophet told King David a story about a person doing an selfish act against another. The story stirred such anger in Davids soul only to be rebuked by the Prophet (hopefully in love) that the story was about him, King David. David in shame repented for his sin. So the story in Luke 5 convicted me about my self-righteous attitude. Convicted (yep, The Holy Spirit will not let me continue in sinful attitudes), I had to search my heart and asked myself if I was doing the same to those who do not agree with me on my position as who should be elected for President.
Can I read their hearts...I'm I God? NOT!
Is it worth our not being in peaceful fellowship? NOT!
Oh, how I love the way the Lord keeps my heart and attitude right towards Him... towards all. What would I do without Him? So in humility I repent of my bad attitude. But, how did this bad attitude developed?
My sin of judging began when I found difficulty believing that they (a fellow believer in Christ Jesus) could vote for someone who did not acknowledge that life began at conception. After all, isn't that more important than the present economical conditions? I began doing what I hate people doing to me at times, judging me from afar and thinking the worst, without getting close up and personal to discover who I am. So it truly vexed my soul to find myself becoming judgemental and critical of their reasoning and distaste for my candidate of choice...thinking them blindsided by the opposing candidate based upon his charm and eloquent speech. Yep, I was wrong to judge my fellow saints on their spiritual position. Only to realize we all see dimly and are at different levels of our walk. Never the less, I will still elect a candidate based upon their Pro Life position... choosing life and not choice. But who am I to judge who they vote for? I'll leave that to God our creator of heaven and earth.
Yep, I had to examine myself and the anger I felt towards saints who were electing a Pro-Choice candidate...though he never admitted it. Where is that mercy and grace I'm always talking about displaying towards all? Where's the love shed abroad in my heart...extending into the lives of those who disagree with my point of view. I had to come to my senses and realize these differences in who we elect for president has no bearing of my friendship and walking in agape towards all. Political views do not super cede the great commission of winning souls for Christ Jesus. I'm called to be at peace with all people as much as possible, especially those of the household of the Christian faith.
Therefore, I've come to terms that it is not my position to convince someone to change their opinion as who to vote for. Especially, my Christian brothers and sisters. I've decided they have the same right to choose as I have and their choice does not negate their faith in Christ Jesus. But, I will continue to encourage everyone to listen to the voice of the Lord in the ballot booth and select the candidate based on the Lord's Truth and not by our finite emotions.
God is in control and He is able to allow everything the enemy meant for evil to turn around for our good. Jesus is Lord and if I believe it, then I need to show it more by not worrying about the outcome of the election.
If God could use an unsaved king (King Cyrus to bless Israel), then He can use whatever King (President) to do His bidding on behalf of a repentant nation. May we continue to pray for our nation to repent from unrighteousness, remembering righteousness exalts a nation. Of course, to me Jesus Is Our Righteousness.
Oh God Have Mercy On Us All,
Allowing Healing Between The Saints On Opposing Sides To Occur Now, Before And After The Election...Giving No Place To The Devil To Conquer & Divide... May We All Remember To Pray For Whatever Candidate Is Elected... For This Is A Command (To Pray For Our Leaders) Amen
~Dolli
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