Love in an Election Year

 By: Rebekah Hargraves

Photo Courtesy of: Element5 Digital

“For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself. But if you bite and devour one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.” ~Galatians‬ ‭5:14‬-15

With today being an election day, I want to do something a little different and share a series of passages with you today that I believe we all could benefit from reading through again. Much to the chagrin of many, election years can often be incredibly divisive and lacking in love - even among those of us who are professing believers. So, today. may we heed the wisdom and admonition of God's Word in how we treat others.

Because, friends, it doesn’t matter if someone with whom we are conversing adheres to a theory we don’t or gives to an organization we think is dangerous or is voting for someone from a political party you don’t approve of - we are STILL called to live out these verses in how you treat them:

“But now, put away all the following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth...Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” ~Colossians‬ ‭3:8, 12-14


“But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head — Christ.” ~Ephesians‬ ‭4:15


“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” ~John‬ ‭13:35‬


“A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.” ~Proverbs‬ ‭15:1


In issues such as the ones we have all been navigating since 2020 especially, there is no place for sarcasm, arrogance, making fun of others who believe differently, or snide attitudes. This kind of behavior is a disgrace if we claim to follow the God Who is Love and is embarrassing to our mission of being ambassadors of Christ.


Friends, we can - by the Spirit of God! - do better. And I pray we will, because until we do, we are part of the problem, not the solution.