We live in a time in America, though certainly not the only time in America, where much of the country seems to be polarized between differing political viewpoints. And this polarization seems to show up most after an election, with some of those who did not get their way in the election acting out in very poor manners. Living here in Seeley Lake, I would like to think that maybe we get along with each other in spite of differing ideologies, and certainly I am thankful to not be aware of any protesting or rioting going on in our area.
Christians are not immune to differing about politics. There are those who are ardent supporters of President Trump, and there are also those who are in ardent opposition to our new president. Regardless of how well you think you like President Trump, I think there are 3 important things that we all owe him. These three things are as follows:
1. Pray for him. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 says, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Our president is arguably the most powerful man in the world, and as such is under an incredible amount of scrutiny, criticism, stress and pressure. He needs our prayers. As an individual living in rural Montana, I do not feel like I have much of an influence on the President. However, I do, as a Christian, have the ear of Someone who loves and cares about me and He is able to have infinite influence on the President!
2. Give him the benefit of the doubt. Like him or not, having voted for him or not, he has been elected and deserves a chance to do his job to the best of his ability and make good on what he stood for and promised. This means that we ought to begin by assuming that he means what he says, and give him time to make good on his word.
3. Hold him accountable. This is kind of the flip side to giving him the benefit of the doubt, but even while starting with the assumption that his intentions are honorable and his word is true, we ought to be diligent in encouraging him to do what is right (as defined by the Bible, not culture), and calling him out when he does not do what is right. He is a sinner, just like every human on earth, and we should not hold him to a standard of perfection, but it is okay to lovingly call wrong actions wrong.
And I would also like to add that while doing these three things for President Trump, remember to treat those with strongly held different political viewpoints than your own with respect and dignity. Honestly, when you really get to the heart of the matter, just about all of us want the same things for our country - stability, freedom, safety, strong economy, good health care, protection of the environment, etc., etc.; we just may have different worldviews on how best to achieve those things, and that can be a great dialogue to have with each other in a peaceful manner.
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