When Our Politics Betray the Gospel

Today we talked about walking in newness of life. About dying to sin and living a resurrected life with Christ. About putting off the old and putting on the new. But here’s what I didn’t say:

Right now, much of what we see in American politics runs contrary to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

And what’s worse? Many Christians are not just tolerating it—they’re cheering it on.

We’ve forgotten that Jesus didn’t rise from the grave to secure our political power. He rose to transform hearts. And yet, kindness is now called weakness. Mercy is mocked. Cruelty—especially toward the poor, the immigrant, and the marginalized—is excused in the name of “strength.” And some who claim to follow Jesus have joined the chorus.

To put it bluntly: There are politicians—loud, influential ones—who claim the name of Christ while speaking and acting in ways that are nothing like Him. And too many believers have fallen in line behind them because they offer power, control, or the promise of protecting “our way of life.”

But Jesus never said, “Protect your way of life.” He said, “Love your neighbor.”
He said, “Blessed are the peacemakers.”
He said, “Whatever you did for the least of these… you did for me.”

The gospel doesn’t give us permission to support cruelty just because it benefits us.
The gospel doesn’t allow us to demonize those who are different.
The gospel doesn’t let us ignore suffering because we don’t care about those who are suffering.

If we’re truly walking in newness of life—if we’ve truly died with Christ and risen with Him—then our hearts should break for what breaks His.

And yet, I worry we’ve settled for a faith that doesn’t cost us anything.
A faith that doesn’t challenge our assumptions.
A faith that kneels at the flag instead of the cross.

Friends, the resurrection calls us to live differently. To love sacrificially. To choose truth over tribe, and people over party.
But many have traded the radical, self-giving love of Jesus for something else entirely:
A politicized faith that mirrors the world more than Christ.

We can’t pretend this doesn’t matter. Because the world is watching. And the Church is being tested.
The question is: Will we walk in newness of life—or keep dragging the old, power-hungry, self-serving ways behind us?

---

A Short Prayer for Boldness and Clarity
Lord Jesus, Forgive us for the times we’ve chosen power over compassion, comfort over truth, and silence over justice. Remind us that You did not come to make us comfortable, but to make us holy.
Give us eyes to see our neighbor, courage to stand for what is right,
and hearts that reflect Your mercy. May we be known not by our politics, but by our love. Amen.