I wanted to write and submit this article before the results of the 2024 Presidential Election. Why? Because no matter the outcome, we are all still people who are made in the image of God (Gen 1:26-27). Let’s be sure to treat each other that way.
Jesus taught, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matt 5:43-45, Unless otherwise stated: Scripture is taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Used by permission. All rights reserved.).
Isn’t it a stretch to think that most people around us are our enemies? A majority of us make our decisions based upon what we sincerely believe is right and helpful. So, if we are supposed to love our enemies, how should we act toward those of our own family and community? Most of us will not see a single person from the White House, but we will see our neighbors every day. How we act will shape the town more than whoever sits in the Oval Office.
Our Savior gave us a great way to determine how we ought to treat others. “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matt 7:12). By saying, “this is the Law and the Prophets,” He was saying living consistently with the Law, someone would treat others the way they wanted to be treated.
When a Lawyer asked Him what the most important commandment was, “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets’” (Matt 22:37-40).
Regardless of what we believe, if we treat others hatefully, we are violating the law of Christ. Not only did He love us when we had no hope, He died for us so we can live for Him (Rom 5:6-11; 1 Jn 3:16; 2 Cor 5:14-15).
Let’s live a life that lifts us and others above anything in the world that may happen. We are people. Choose to put Jesus and His unshakable kingdom first (Matt 6:33; Dan 2:44-45). Nations rise and fall, but the kingdom of the Lord will endure.
Vote or not, love for sure.
Van
