The political turmoil in the year 2020 cast a glaring spotlight on the divisions within the Christian churches as much as it did on the landscape of warring political parties. As might be expected, each faction accused the other of distorting the Christian message. As also might be expected, the extreme factions on both sides seemed to support their side with extreme interpretations.

So, which is the truest Christian message? It is a question made more complex by the realization that so much of our political and legal processes is based on the moral and ethical principles that arose from Judeo-Christian roots.

It might help to recognize that faith and politics are not new contestants in the struggle for the devotion of humanity. The Bible is filled, cover-to-cover, with political and spiritual conflict. From the very first books of the Old Testament through the life and death of Jesus, politics is a foundational element to most of the Bible. The people of God were continually fleeing, fighting or enslaved by various political entities. And there were traitors and abusers of power on all sides.

It is only in the revelations of the New Testament that the dust begins to settle and the will of God begins to become obvious through the acts and words of Jesus of Nazareth. And that message is revealed as love.

Surely, there are passages in the Bible that recognize the authority of the political powers. Some even suggest that those in power are placed there as part of God’s plan. After all, it was the political environment of the times that brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem, and it was the political climate of the time that brought Jesus to the cross.

But we need to remember that we are ill-equipt to comprehend what God may wish to accomplish. Perhaps God allows or creates a scenario that teaches His followers a vital lesson by allowing some suffering or pain. Perhaps what we see as vile or evil is meant to provide us with a reminder or wake-up call – a reminder to re-examine our understanding of His message. Perhaps He periodically provides us with a test of our faith so that we might strengthen our resolve.

Perhaps the best way to judge our church is to reflect on how closely our church adheres to the guiding principles and examples that Jesus gave us. Simply put, does our church practice those ideals, or simply recite them?

Compassion, respect, caring for the poor, the elderly, and the disadvantaged. Welcoming the traveler and feeding the starving. Forgiveness. Loving one another.

It’s all about showing love and gratitude for life.

If your church isn’t practicing true Christian principles, perhaps it has lost its way, and perhaps it is your task to help it get back on track by openly rejecting abuse and misuse of God’s Holy message. Even in church, your vote counts.