Hey Glen Mar,

I don’t know if you know this, but we have an election coming up on Tuesday.

Some of us have already voted, while others will be heading to the polls on Tuesday. I’ve heard from multiple congregants that there’s a lot of anxiety surrounding these elections. Meanwhile, I imagine others aren’t feeling much anxiety at all, but simply looking forward to exercising their right to vote.

Both experiences can be true, even when someone else’s experience seems foreign to us.

This is where I want to return to some advice from John Wesley on voting. In his journal, Wesley wrote:

“I met those of our society who had votes in the ensuing election, and advised them,
To vote, without fee or reward, for the person they judged most worthy:
To speak no evil of the person they voted against:
And to take care their spirits were not sharpened against those that voted on the other side.”

— John Wesley, The Journal of John Wesley, October 6, 1774

I think this is good advice for all of us today, no matter how we’re feeling about the upcoming election.

First, we should vote.

Not because someone is compelling us to vote a certain way, or because we expect some reward, but because voting is a responsibility that comes with the privilege of participating in our democracy. So I pray that if you are eligible and able to vote, you will do so according to your conscience.

Second, we must not speak evil of the person we vote against.

Now, this seems to be particularly difficult for many of us. In fact, I suspect some of us have stronger opinions about those we’re voting against than those we’re voting for!

But remember Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:21-22, where he warns us about the anger and contempt we harbor in our hearts. We must be careful not to allow our disagreements to turn into hatred or verbal violence against others.

Why? Because Jesus tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). And we’re not even necessarily talking about persecution here. We’re talking about disagreement!

If Jesus calls us to love our enemies, how much more should we love our neighbors who vote differently than we do?

Finally, Wesley warns us not to allow our spirits to be sharpened against those who vote on the other side.

What does that mean?

I interpret this as a reminder that our salvation is not found in Democrats or Republicans, the right or the left, county council members or governors.

Our salvation is found in Christ alone.

And because of that, we should be careful not to devote more of ourselves to politics than we are giving to our Lord.

I’ve noticed something in my own life. The more time I spend consuming political news, especially news presented from one side or the other, the easier it becomes for my spirit to be sharpened against those with whom I disagree.

And I don’t think that’s an accident.

Much of our media environment thrives on keeping us angry, anxious, and coming back for more. After all, views, ratings, likes, and subscriptions keep these platforms going.

But do you think they care about the state of our souls?

Paul reminds us in Romans 12:2 not to be conformed to the patterns of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.
That is the kind of formation we should be seeking.

So, Glen Mar, take Wesley’s advice to heart this election season. Vote. Speak no evil of those you vote against. And don’t allow your spirit to be sharpened against those who vote differently than you do.

Above all, seek holy love: Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39). Whether they are a Democrat or a Republican, they are still your neighbor.

And Christ calls us to love them.

Because at the end of the day, no matter who wins or loses on Tuesday, Jesus Christ is still Lord.

Lord of all.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

Let us pray.

Gracious God, as elections approach, guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Guide us as we cast our votes, that we might vote according to our consciences rooted in you, and seek what is good for our neighbors and communities. Keep us from harboring anger or hatred toward those who vote differently than we do. Do not allow our spirits to become so sharpened against one another that we forget your commandment to love. Give us the grace and courage to do so, even when it is difficult. And remind us that whatever Tuesday may bring, Christ is Lord. In the words of Julian of Norwich, “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.” Amen.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Chris