With a Subtitle: In a culture of political allegiances, we are to follow Christ—not a party, ideology, or candidate.

A brief Excerpt: Many Christians feel pressured to align their faith with political parties, yet Scripture calls believers to a higher authority. Following Christ must come before party loyalty. Unity in the Body of Christ can overcome political division.

The Author is: Jane Isley

Everywhere I turn, it feels like Christians are being forced to pick a side, or a side is assumed on their behalf.

And somehow, if you refuse to choose, you’re seen as weak, secretive, naive, or as if you don’t care for this country.

That pressure isn’t just political; it’s spiritual. “Allegiance to a party has quietly become its own religion,” and all the while, the words Jesus spoke keep echoing fainter and fainter in the distance: “Follow Me” (Matthew 4:19).

It’s easy to see how this happened. Many churches have failed their flock, the news has amplified division, social media reels punish neutrality, and political leaders demand loyalty.

But Scripture reminds us of a different path.

Jesus wasn’t a politician. He didn’t campaign, and He didn’t promise worldly power. He came to do something unprecedented: to save us, to offer forgiveness, and to reconcile people with God through His death and resurrection.

He also gave us this nugget to remember:

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2

Somewhere along the way, this was forgotten or set aside.

Politics vs. Unity in Christ

Christians are more divided than ever. Instead of standing united against wrong and evil, too often we are pitted against one another.

In marriage, we say, “It’s us against the issue, not us against each other.” That principle should apply everywhere. We should be united as the Body of Christ despite our differences.

Denomination against denomination.
Red against blue.
Right against left.

This is not how it should be.

Christians should walk together in faith, yet too often we tear each other apart over issues that should never have separated us. Meanwhile, the real problems, broken systems, moral decay, and lack of accountability, remain largely unchallenged.

Satan thrives in this chaos. He doesn’t need to create more evil; he only needs to keep people busy fighting among themselves. Division is easier than truth, and distraction is more effective than repentance.

The call of Christ is simple: “Follow Me.”

No party line. No political litmus test. No hashtag loyalty. Just faithful, obedient discipleship.

It seems like people are in a frenzy to control this country, without realizing that 1) they can’t, and 2) they need to surrender all to God and let Him lead.

Here is the simplest truth: if you follow Him first, everything else falls into place.

There Is No Such Thing As A Lesser Evil

I hear this one all the time: “We have to pick the lesser of two evils.”

Every time I hear it, I feel sick to my stomach. Why should I have to choose any evil at all? Scripture doesn’t call us to settle for what’s “okay enough.” We have the right to vote, but if we feel convicted not to, or to vote in a way others wouldn’t expect, that is also our right.

If anyone tells you otherwise, especially a fellow Christian, tell them to take it up with God. Following His direction often requires deep, trusting faith to step back and let Him lead.

We participate in many ways that keep this country running, following laws, paying taxes (heck, even taxes on our taxes), volunteering at shelters, mentoring youth, supporting schools, donating to community programs, working hard at our jobs, caring for neighbors, and helping raise the next generation.

These everyday actions give you the right to have a voice and form your own opinions, no matter what anyone says. Voting is one option, but listening to God when convicted is just as valid. True power comes from standing with Christ, which is more important than any marked ballot.

We are not required to choose between two evils, despite what you are told.

That mindset has become a convenient excuse to avoid moral responsibility, and it has contributed to the challenges in our political system, leadership, and country.

Choosing rightly, even if that means abstaining, is an act of faith in God to provide, not apathy. Step back, center yourself in Christ first, and the rest will follow.

I have always believed Jesus is mightier than any system or government. Where has that faith gone in this country?

Campaign Promises vs. Reality

Another phrase I hear often is: “You should vote for this party because they protect life.”

That statement has become almost automatic, as if saying it sorts out someone’s faith for them. But protecting all life has not happened. Sure, some measures were taken, but life is still not fully protected.

But why should I pledge allegiance to any party based on a single platform? When neither party has fully succeeded in safeguarding the most vulnerable among us.

True Colors

Recent stories released reveal vivid truths. Faithful prayer and following Christ could have prevented much of this horror if people had put Him first when engaging in the political process.

It’s clear that many leaders are not the good people once imagined. And because the country has leaned so heavily on political leaders for moral guidance instead of God, we’ve invited this mess into our own backyard.

Following any party or person just because of a single issue, concern, or belief is unwise and opposed to Christ’s command: “Follow Me.”

Politics has shaped faith in our country. We are no longer a country of the faithful; we are a country focused on political talking points.

The Path Forward

The path forward is crystal clear; in fact, it couldn’t be any clearer for believers.

“Follow Me.”

Not red. Not blue. Not right. Not left. Not a leader. Not an ideology.

Him first.

If we return to our identity in Christ, everything else, brokenness, hurt, divisions, will be held in the light of His truth. Then the world will see what it looks like when His people stand together, not against each other, but for Him.