But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9
The word sectarianism is defined as “a form of prejudice, discrimination, or hatred arising from attaching relations of inferiority and superiority to differences between subdivisions within a group. In religion, sectarianism occurs when members of different denominations within a faith display bigotry and prejudice toward each other. In politics, it is a disregard and contempt displayed by people from one political party toward others who do not share their political views.
Unfortunately, the sectarianism that has infested American politics has also infiltrated American religion. With the presidential election coming up in November, the sectarian divide in American churches has worsened. Many so-called conservative Christians are at odds with the so-called liberal Christians. The two groups are demonizing each other based on politics and not theology.
Jesus Christ did not die at Calvary for Republicans/conservatives or Democrats/liberals. He died so all sins can be forgiving and salvation can be made available to everyone who confesses with their mouth and believe in their heart that Jesus Christ is Lord. God does not care about our political affiliation. The Pharisees and Scribes were criticized by Christ for their hypocrisy despite their religious conservatism.
Regrettably, many American Christians have turned their political beliefs into their religion. They acquiesce to the dictates of their political party and readily agree with their political leaders even when those leaders’ actions are inconsistent with biblical ethics. In so doing, they’ve turned these leaders into idols they worship despite God’s warning against idolatry.
There is no place for sectarianism in the body of Christ. How can we say we love God if we have contempt for other brothers and sisters in Christ? Our identity transcends our political affiliation. We should not forget that we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession. We cannot and should not act like non-believers who prioritize political views over biblical principles.
One of the reasons I am neither a democrat nor a republican is because I am already a disciple of Jesus Christ. I don’t follow any political platform or allow myself to be influenced by any political leader. My leader is Jesus Christ. My platform is the gospel of Jesus Christ. My agenda is to declare the praises of him who called me out of darkness into His wonderful light.
Sectarianism is a demonic tool the enemy is using to neutralize the effectiveness of the Church. The devil does care about our political affiliation. His goal is our eternal destruction. He will use any tool at his disposal to achieve that goal. We have to stop demonizing those who do not share our socio-political views. When our theological beliefs differ from others, we have to find common ground so we can maintain unity in the body of Christ.
Before His ascension to heaven, Jesus gave us just one task—to preach the gospel and make disciples. Disciple-making is about relationships. It requires a willingness to let others into our world and to see the world from their perspective. That’s what Paul means when he says, “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22).
Regardless of the outcome of the November election, disciples of Jesus Christ have to do everything possible to safeguard the unity in the body of Christ. Many people will be disillusioned by the result of the election. It is our Christ-centered love that will bring healing to this nation. That love is unconditional and should be offered to anyone despite their political affiliation.
Prayer- Blessed Lord, I pray that you will give us the courage to love others despite our differences.