We are one week away from an election in the United States. It’s an election that has once again proved to be quite contentious. People are walking away from friends and family who are voting differently from them. I am watching churches devour themselves over politics. There are factions and dissensions that are rising in every corner of our society. In so many ways we continue to walk away from the way of love.

As a pastor there is a constant pressure to support this candidate or that candidate. I have been private messaged more times than I can to admit about why I do not talk about politics from the pulpit or on my social media.

Here’s the thing, everything I preach is politics. Anytime I write about faith or the way of Jesus, it is politics.

How can I say that? Simply, politics has to do with the affairs of the “city” or the governance of the people. The way of Jesus informs us as to how we are to engage with the affairs of all of life.

I have been thinking about a song written by Derek Webb a number of years ago, A New Law.

“don’t teach me about politics and government just tell me who to vote for

don’t teach me about truth and beauty just label my music

don’t teach me how to live like a free man just give me a new law

i don’t wanna know if the answers aren’t easy so just bring it down from the mountain to me

i want a new law i want a new law gimme that new law

don’t teach me about moderation and liberty i prefer a shot of grape juice

don’t teach me about loving my enemies

don’t teach me how to listen to the Spirit

just give me a new law

what’s the use in trading a law you can never keep for one you can that cannot get you anything do not be afraid do not be afraid do not be afraid”

This is the way that so many of us want things to work. What we want is to bounce from one law to another. Learning how to think and wrestle with the nuance of politics and culture is really difficult.

This last week I spent all week in Philippians preparing for worship in Flint and Ypsilanti. The passage that I taught on was Philippians 4:4-9,

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

I dig this passage so much for so many reasons.

In particular as I consider the ramifications for this election, I would like to encourage you to dwell on verse eight, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

If followers of the Jesus Way would use this verse as a lens by which to consider our politics and our voting it would go a long way towards to healing much of what divides us.

Consider these as principles to understand our politics: Is this true? Is this noble? Is this right? Is this pure? Is this lovely? Is this admirable? Is this excellent? Is this praiseworthy? When considering a particular candidate you can change the principle question to, “Does this person promote what is…” and then insert the principle.

As you consider who and what to vote for I challenge you to work your decisions through this framework. Frameworks rooted in these principles will more often than not lead us in the way of love. Do not become beholden to a “new law.” Do not trade one set of unquestioned absolutes for another. Fundamentalism of any stripe leads towards broken relationships.

So, no, I won’t tell you who to vote for. If you are a follower of the Jesus Way, I would encourage you to set your mind on these principles from Philippians 4:8 and allow them to guide you. I am praying that each of you have wisdom, discernment, and follow the way of love.