As I write this, the US President’s speech to a joint session of Congress is just a few evenings past.  Elements of that event echo in my mind: the partisanship, the confrontational messages, the striking division evident in the room, the “over the top” demonstrations of support from many of the president’s allies, and the petulant passive-aggressive resistance from many of the president’s detractors. If anyone needed an image of the fractured state of our present political environment, that evening provided it.  

It raises an important question for us as Christ-followers: how do we react and engage in a culture so clearly divided, not just politically, but socially and ideologically?  How do we live as light in this polarized world?

Titus 3.1-2 points to an answer:  “Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.”

God’s instruction here is direct: it is imperative that we as Christians do not allow ourselves to be drawn into the often disrespectful, sarcastic, angry, confrontational tone that pervades American political discourse in particular and much relational discourse in general. 

We are called to respect the government and its officials, even those with whom we may not agree.  We need to be discerning as to how to speak truth clearly and graciously, and we must be consistent in lifting all such authorities—regardless of their personal positions—before the Lord. “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Timothy 2.1-2).

In a context where it is all too easy to attack others through the perceived anonymity of social media and the assumed agreement of our conversation partners, Christians must refrain from slander—“making misleading/incomplete statements that damage a person’s reputation or character.”  Further, we are to “avoid quarreling”; we must resist the temptation to lean into controversy for the sake of stirring division.  

Moreover, any comments we make should demonstrate gentleness and humility.  We must be ruthlessly surrendered to the Holy Spirit if we are to accomplish that in a cultural environment that increasingly believes that the “loudest, most strident, most brash person wins” and that “my right to say what I want to say” is more important that God’s instruction to do so with a humble heart.   

To quote Philippians 3:20, “…our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” We take our marching orders from King Jesus, not from the prevailing cultural or political context.  

As we pray “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” we affirm the awareness that our King calls us to a posture of goodness, respect, gentleness and humility.  In demonstrating these qualities, we fulfill God’s command in Philippians 2.14-16: “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.”