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How My Political Views Helped Me Grow Spiritually
I think most politically involved Christians would say that their politics are influenced by their faith. This is true for me, as well; however, I’ve realized recently that the opposite is also true: my growing political views have actually helped me to grow as a Christian.
Even from childhood, I’ve often been a judgmental Christian. I have a history of being hard on myself and others. I remember being very upset with my parents one Sunday because we weren’t going to go back to church for the evening service; weren’t we supposed to be there every time the doors were open? I also nearly broke down in tears once because my sister was talking about buying a two-piece bathing suit.
Thankfully, I’ve grown out of a lot of this. I attribute it in part to just growing older in general and growing older in the faith. However, I realize that I’ve also become a lot less judgmental in the last year or two because of politics.
Now, let me insert a disclaimer here that I am not a Christian who believes that we should never judge. Right after saying, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged” (Luke 6:37 HCSB), Jesus also says, “A good tree doesn’t produce bad fruit; on the other hand, a bad tree doesn’t produce good fruit…. A good man produces good out of the good storeroom of his heart” (Luke 6:43, 45a HCSB). In addition, we are told to “be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24 HCSB). So, there is a time to judge, and there is a time to urge other Christians on in the faith.
However, there is also a time for Romans 14:1: “Accept anyone who is weak in faith, but don’t argue about doubtful issues” (HCSB). There are issues where Scripture makes it very clear what we are to do, and then there are issues where Scripture leaves it between us and God; this is where personal conviction comes into play. This is what I struggled with growing up; I wanted everything to be black and white, and if someone was acting against a conviction I held, I thought they were sinning.
Since the 2016 election season, I’ve become more involved in politics. I officially joined my local GOP and began helping with various campaigns, and I started regularly listening to political commentators. I finally stopped asking my dad who to vote for and started doing my own research. Through this, I learned what a “constitutional conservative” is and that I am one. I also learned that – even though I am a Christian and would love for everyone to share my values – politically, I lean libertarian.
It is this libertarian trend and the desire for government to stay out of people’s lives that has actually helped me become more gracious toward others in general. I may not be okay doing a particular thing, but that doesn’t make it a sin. Some things really are between individual people and God. Later in Romans 14, Paul says, “Do you have a conviction? Keep it to yourself before God. The man who does not condemn himself by what he approves is blessed” (verse 22, HCSB).
I’m sure I don’t have a full understanding of this topic, but this is where I’m at right now. And I’ll be honest – letting people be convicted by God, instead of trying to convict them of “doubtful issues” myself, has been a much better way to live.
HCSB = Holman Christian Standard Bible
Published in Religion & Philosophy
Good thoughts, Allie. Thanks. The verse about not arguing doubtful things is important and I didn’t know it. The course of your life regarding the inclination to judge oneself and others harshly is like mine.
Welcome to Ricochet, @alliehahn! I think you’ll like it here.
My religious and political conversions were concurrent, too. But, it seems I took a lot longer to get around to it and am slower to progress than you. For example, I have a friend who thinks it would be terrific to see Hillary Clinton publicly confess her sins and come home to Christ. I just want justice for her. In this life.
Welcome Allie!
This is a difficult subject for me. As I’ve gotten older, I find myself digging in more. It’s not aimed at the majority of the population or unsaved people, but at church leaders.
And I absolutely will judge them for presenting a false gospel, where repentance of sin is not necessary for salvation and that some sins aren’t really sins at all.
It’s like we have become so enamored with the personal Christ that we have greatly diminished the nature of God – He is Holy. And to sell a God who is less than holy leads people to death without choice. Sure, they might not choose to follow God when presented with who He is presented as in scripture, but at least it is their choice. It isn’t a false security.
The wolves in sheep’s clothing earn my ire.
Welcome to Ricochet! I’m new here, too.
Allie, welcome to Ricochet, and fine first post!
My impression — from both your photo and your reference to no longer asking your dad who to vote for — is that you’re pretty young. It is very common to lean libertarian in youth. I did so myself. Some stay that way, but the more common path is toward greater traditional conservatism.
On the judging issue: My Bible study group recently watched a video series by Andy Stanley, who you may know, as he’s based in Atlanta. One of Stanley’s points was the the New Testament doesn’t tell us not to judge, it tells us who to judge. He relied principally on 1 Cor. 5 — here’s the end
This does not mean that Christians should be overly harsh toward each other, either. In Matthew 18:15-17, Jesus teaches:
These steps should never be taken in anger or self-righteousness, but with a spirit of love and encouragement. Casting someone out of fellowship is a serious step, and should involve the leadership of the church.
I struggle with that latter part too, sometimes.
I definitely agree that false prophets/teachers should be judged and called out – it’s very dangerous otherwise.
Thank you so much! I’ll be thirty later in the year, so I guess it depends what you consider “young” to be. :)
You are absolutely right about there being times to be concerned about and judge other Christians if they are living in sin. In fact, I doubt church discipline is enacted nearly as much as it should be.
But I am filled with more anger and self-rightousness than love and encouragement. Also, I dont have anyone in my community to connect to. The whole whole idea of having two other people to talk to someone about something you vocifericiously disagree with is alien to me. What am I to do?
29 is pretty young to my vantage point on the other side of 50. Of course, my mom still calls me “kiddo” sometimes.
HC, I was writing about church discipline, which ought to be done among people who know each other. If you’re frustrated at AOC or Barack Obama, you can post here or talk to your friends, but you don’t have any personal connection with them that would make it appropriate (or possible) to raise your concerns directly.
Good post, Allie. I thought it was very thought-provoking and I’m glad it made the Main Feed as I plan on sharing it. It’s interesting to me that you have become less judgmental due to the politics of the past two years. God does indeed work in mysterious ways. I fully agree our faith should influence politics and all aspects of our lives. I’m a bit more skeptical on the notion of our politics helping us grow as Christians. If you were too judgmental and self-righteous, I can see Libertarianism bringing in a healthy dose of humility. On the other hand, taken too far I can see problems arising. To me, Romans 14:1 is not just about judging people; it is about judging what are or aren’t doubtful issues/disputable matters/doubtful disputations. It seems like you know very well there’s a fine line. And I’m certainly no one to say where that line is exactly. I’m highly interested in politics and think people of faith should be engaged but I guess I just get a bit apprehensive when I hear politics influencing our faith rather than our faith influencing politics. Similar to how I support “Separation of Church and State” not to save the state from the church but to save the church from the state.
Well, politics will hopefully not influence my faith beliefs without being checked by Scripture first. :) There is definitely a balance between letting people live out their own convictions and watching out for our brothers and sisters who have fallen into actual sin.