"Love One Another" Even In An Election

 Dear Saints:

I experienced a complete laptop malfunction and breakdown this morning. I pressed every button I am aware off - power button, control, alt and delete. Nothing worked. I called the IT desk and the first guy tried his best to assist me. He was recommending a replacement and then transferred me to a second person. This second person said, unplug the power source, simultaneously hold down the escape and power buttons. After about 20 seconds, the Dell logo for the laptop came on.

Irrelevant story? Not really. I am reminded of the reboot and new life Christ gave me. I was dead and now I am alive (see Ephesians 2:1-3). I can now function and live the way my Designer and Maker intended. My computer was useless without an intervention. Likewise, our lives are meaningless without God’s divine intervention.

In light of this truth, I must live my new life to the glory of my Maker and sustainer and Savior. How? Love God and love others. This is the sum of our lives as we continue our study of 2 John:

^“5 And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another. ⁶ This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.” 2 John 5-6.

Apostle John, now about 90 years old is pleading with this church and pleading with us; “love one another”.  Why? Because all the commandments of God hinge and come to this: love God, love others period. You cannot add to this. It doesn’t matter what else you do if it is not in line with the love we have received from Christ, it is meaningless (See 1 Corinthians 13).

This topic came at a perfect time for us during this election in USA. America is more divided than ever. Churches are seeing great divides on the political spectrum. There are name callings and outright mean-spirited words by opponents of one political party and the other in the secular environment and in the church (unfortunately). Timeout please.

When you conclude and categorize another whom Christ died for and who has been “born of God” as a non-Christian because they are voting for either Biden or Trump, it is not acceptable, not loving and not biblical in all regards. It shows that you have misunderstood or forgotten that we are saved by grace through faith, which is a gift and not of works lest we should boast (See Ephesians 2:8-10).  

Let everyone of us vote our conscience; and as led by the Holy Spirit after much prayer, in light of the Scripture investigating the policies and platforms and the flag bearers of each party. Please make sure you vote. It is irresponsible to abstain from voting this period unless unable due to sickness. You alone will answer to God for your vote. Please do not demonize and devalue another because of their vote.

In fact this a great opportunity to share the Gospel. Ask those who are so bent on one candidate if they have voted for the ultimate candidate, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Spend more time and introduce people to Christ instead of your favorite political candidate. Voting for the "right" candidate means nothing if we do not show God's love and respect to all around us.

The words of apostle Paul should encourage us in this week and through these times of electioneering:

“ ⁹ Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; ¹¹ not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; ¹² rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; ¹³ distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”  Romans 12:9-14.

Let us pray:

Father, we thank you for giving us a new life from you. Thank you for forgiving our sins and calling us into your family, the family of God. We thank you for each other in the local and world-wide Church. Help us to love one another even when it is so hard to do so. We know and trust that you enable us to love as you have loved us even while we were still sinners.

We thank you for America; for establishing government (Romans 13) and for the privilege of participating in choosing our next President and other officers. We pray you grant us the discernment to make a wise choice. We pray your protection on everyone and against any disruption of the process. We pray that you will grant us the grace to accept the next President whether we voted for him or not.  

Lord, please bless all that are running for any office during this election and for their willingness to serve. Lord, please have mercy and bless America and above all please draw all people to You through Christ. We will trust You Lord for America's future.

Lord, we also pray for other hot spots like Nigeria where there are killings, protests and civil unrest. Please bring peace to the world you made and in the hearts of all people. In Christ we pray. Amen.