Two E Words - Elections & Ethics

Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. Galatians 6:7

My heart’s racing and my head aches. I enjoyed a cup of delicious coffee and a delightful gluten free chocolate treat at the farmer’s market. Now I’m paying the price.

Nationally, I think we’re paying a price as well, although it may be our hearts that are aching rather than our heads. Earlier this year people on both sides of the political divide were rallying to political outsiders in an effort to express dissatisfaction with the little-to-no-business-as-usual partisanship in Washington. They made their point. But now we are left with a choice between an insider – a woman! – and an outsider – who frankly scares many both within our nation and beyond.

Still, the phrase that rests on my heart is that what goes around, comes around. Or to say it in Bible-speak:

They will eat from the fruit of their way,
   and they’ll be full of their own schemes. Proverbs 1:31 CEB

A couple of my more learned friends this week shared on Facebook an article by Stephen Mattson that appeared last winter in Sojourners magazine, “History Will Judge Today's Christians According to These 4 Questions”. I’d seen the article before, but this time it’s sticking with me.

Mattson reminds us that “during some of the world’s darkest moments” we can easily notice where Christians have failed to follow Jesus’ example and teachings. And, without calling our present moment one of those darkest times, he reminds us that we too will be judged by our actions.

I would note here that even if you don’t hold a God-as-judge theology, we are still judged – everyday, by all those around us – for how well we follow, or don’t follow, that example. And though many of us could make a case for following Christ with our personal lives, and many of our churches work at it as well, when we look at the bigger picture – and God clearly calls us to consider the big picture – our claim seems weak indeed.

I encourage you to read the article, if you haven’t already. Mattson’s questions are not new; I’ve tried to challenge people about these issues for years from my tiny soap box. With election day less than a month away, I invite you to consider his fourth question …

Why do we crave martial, economic, and political power when God has warned (again and again) against putting faith in such things?

Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity,
    and the rod of anger will fail. Proverbs 22:8

Judging by bumper stickers I’ve seen in recent years, there are people who focus on just one ethical question as they approach the ballot box. It’s seldom this one, but perhaps it should be.

When we are so tied to our own comfortable existence that we will do anything (and we are) to protect it, then we are giving a lie to our Christian words of faith. The two cannot coexist. (Yes, God’s grace abounds, but that doesn’t mean it’s okay to continually take advantage of it.)

As you approach election day – hey, as you approach any choice in your life – be sure you ask yourself the right questions. And though it’s not scriptural, I offer one more (favorite) quote…