America’s 2024 national election involved candidates and parties at many levels of government: President and Vice President, Senators, Representatives, state and local officials, and numerous amendments (included abortion and marijuana). The political season preceding it was filled with sometimes extremely harsh rhetoric, interruptions from television commercials, and a seemingly never-ending delivery of campaign flyers in our mailboxes.
The result of the election, especially at the presidential level, caused relief and euphoria for some and inconsolable sorrow and anger for others. Sadly, some candidates who claimed to be Christians fell far short of demonstrating the virtues associated with the fruit of the Spirit. Having witnessed that, one of the reactions that should become even more present now is not only prayer for the nation, but also prayer for those candidates whose rhetoric and attitude showed a need for divinely-given repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus.
As Christians voted, most had deeply held convictions that shaped their selections at the ballot box. And these varied, with some choosing on candidate and party, and others, even family members, divided as the selected the opposite. So how should Christians on both sides be reacting now? Certainly there should be no hostility between those with whom there was disagreement. At this (and every) point, the biblical goal should be not unity (we still hold opposing convictions), but harmony (respecting those with whom we disagreed).