A Call to Honest Reflection and Clear Distinctions
Let’s Talk Honestly About Jesus and Politics
First, let’s get one thing straight: Jesus doesn’t belong to any political party—not Republican, not Democrat, not any of them. Yes, there are good people who love Jesus and vote all sorts of ways, but to say Jesus stands with one party, especially with the Republican party as it is connected to Trump, is just wrong. Using Jesus’ name for politics, especially for things he wouldn’t support, brings shame to the church. It’s time for us, as believers, to say that clearly and loudly.
Some people say Jesus was a revolutionary. In a way, that’s true—he challenged unfair traditions, stood up for the outcasts, and questioned the way things were done. But he didn’t lead a violent rebellion. Back in his day, some Jewish groups (the “zealots”) tried to fight the Roman Empire by force, but Jesus refused to join them. When someone tried to defend Jesus with violence, he stopped them. Jesus made it clear—his kingdom isn’t built with swords or violence, but with love and peace.
So, for Christians today: violence is not the way of Jesus. No matter what side you’re on, hurting others in Jesus’ name isn’t what he taught. During recent attacks on the U.S. Capitol, some people carried Christian signs and symbols. That’s not just wrong; it’s especially bad to use Jesus’ name for violence. If we’re honest, this is a bigger problem than violence that just happens on the streets, because this violence claims to speak for God. That’s serious, and we have to say so.
Jesus Is Lord—Not Any Political Leader
Jesus is the true King. He doesn’t rule through political parties, and he doesn’t need politicians to do his work. Whether you’re a Republican, Democrat, or something else, our loyalty is to Jesus first. Political groups will come and go, but Christ’s kingdom lasts forever. Tying Jesus to any one nation or party is an insult to his real authority.
Christianity Isn’t Nationalism
Being a Christian isn’t the same as being an American—or any nationality. When we follow Jesus, we’re citizens of God’s kingdom first (that’s from Philippians 3:20 in the Bible). That means, as Christians, we’re more closely connected to believers anywhere in the world than we are to people in our own country who don’t share our faith.
Yes, we should care about and try to make our country better. God tells his people to care for the cities where they live. But loving your country doesn’t make you “more Christian,” and if being a good American ever gets in the way of following Jesus, Jesus comes first—every time.
Christianity Isn’t About Race
Christianity isn’t a “white” religion. Jesus wasn’t European, and the earliest Christians weren’t either. The Bible was written entirely by non-Europeans, except possibly one author. Today, most Christians in the world are not white, and the fastest-growing churches are in Africa and Asia. We need to get rid of the idea that Christianity belongs to just one group of people.
Sadly, there have been times when Christianity has been twisted to support racism and white supremacy. That’s wrong. We have to admit it, call it out, and fight it. Being honest doesn’t mean we give up hope—it means we face reality, so we can become who we’re really supposed to be.
The Church’s Reputation Matters
The church (all Christians together) has made mistakes, and some people who call themselves Christians don’t really follow Jesus. That’s always been true, and only Jesus will sort out who’s truly his in the end.
But we have a responsibility to live out our faith so the world sees what real Christianity is. Right now, many young people in America are turned off from Jesus because of Christians’ political actions, especially in the last few years. That’s a big problem, and it won’t go away quickly. We need to be honest about the harm that’s been done, and work to rebuild trust—even if it takes years.
Time for Real Repentance
Some Christian leaders have responded to recent violence and trouble by saying, “The world needs Jesus.” That’s true, but it’s not enough. We need to be specific: the church itself needs to repent, admit where we’ve gone wrong, and work to make things right. That’s what Martin Luther meant when he said Christians should always be repenting—not just once, but our whole lives.
God Sees Everything
The Bible says, “Judgment begins with the house of God” (1 Peter 4:17). That means God holds his own people accountable first. No one, whether you’re a believer or not, gets away with evil. God is watching, and he will make things right in the end.
Conclusion: Where Our Hope Lies
In the end, Jesus is the true ruler over America and the whole world. Our hope isn’t in politics or in any nation, but in Jesus. Let’s be honest, humble, and bold about following him, even when it means admitting where we’ve messed up. And let’s trust that God can bring healing and new life, no matter how badly we’ve failed.
Minister A Francine Green
afrancinegreen.com 