As we approach the presidential election of 2024, more and more Christians are turning their thoughts to the Bible to guide their actions and decisions.

As divisive discussions increase, it is wise to remember that the Apostle Paul cautioned us against divisive disputes. Paul told the early church leader Titus:

“Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing more to do with them.” (Titus 3:10-11).

Why?

“For we know in part and we prophesy in part. . . . For now we see through a glass, darkly.” (1 Corinthians 13:9-12).

Therefore, we should listen to wisdom that teaches us how to love others, rather than speak to puff ourselves up (1 Corinthians 8:1-3), especially if we are speaking to increase the Power of Money, the Power of Religion, or the Power of the Kingdoms of the World.

In this spirit, please read the following blog “An Independent Path” that I first posted in November of 2022:

[In November of 2022], I was struck by this summary of how [the Prophet] Isaiah viewed the options facing God’s people in his time:

At some point, . . . [King Hezekiah] sent an embassy to the Egyptians as a potential ally against Assyria. As the other major power of the era, the Egyptians were a natural counterweight to the Assyrian threat. Isaiah oppose[d] this strategy, insisting that [God’s people] take an independent path, neither capitulating to Assyria nor depending on Egyptian aid. (Note to Isaiah 30:1-7 in the NJPS).

This passage made me think about the ways that many Christians in the United States today are seeking alliances with political parties, economic systems, and ideologies as “a natural counterweight” to people who they fear.

But alliances with political parties are as counterproductive and futile as “capitulating to Assyria” or “depending on Egyptian aid.”

In terms that I like to use, alliances with political parties (whether Democrats or Republicans) are as counterproductive and futile as capitulating to the Power of the Kingdoms of the World.

Alliances with economic systems (whether Socialism or Capitalism) are as counterproductive and futile as capitulating to the Power of Money.

Alliances with ideologies (whether Feminism, Marxism, Racism, or Nationalism) are as counterproductive and futile as depending on aid from the Power of Religion.

As Isaiah foresaw, the only viable strategy in his time, in our time, and in all times—is “insisting that [God’s people] take an independent path.”

What is this independent path?

The Way of Jesus!

Fulfilling the ideals of the Law of Moses and the Prophets. (Matthew 5:17).

Learning to do right. Seeking justice. Defending the oppressed. (Isaiah 1:17).

Hoping in the LORD to renew our Strength. (Isaiah 40:31).

Lighting Humanity with our good deeds—not by Might nor by Power, but by the Spirit of the LORD! (Matthew 5:14,16; Zechariah 4:6).

QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT

Have you known a divisive person? What makes them divisive?

Are you a divisive person? What makes you divisive?

How do you know when to be divisive and when not to be divisive? (I discuss this question in my blog “Grace and Peace—Titus”)

READ MORE

To learn more about the Way of Jesus, please read my blogs “The Way of Jesus: The Nones”, “The Way of Jesus: Following the Way of the Wisdom That Follows the Way of the LORD”, “The Way of Jesus: St. Francis of Assisi”, “The Way of Jesus: The Truth of Christmas”, “The Way of Jesus: The Truth of Easter”, “The Way of Jesus: The Truth Overcomes Oceans of Hopeless Confusion”, “The Way of Jesus: The Truth Overcomes Oceans of Doubts”, “The Way of Jesus: The Life”, “The Way of Jesus: Every Knee Should Bow”, and “The Way of Jesus: You Can’t Get There from Here”.

 For similar thoughts about God’s people taking an independent path, please read my blog “Hiding in Plain Sight”.

For similar thoughts about political parties, please read my blog “Poker Lessons: Playing the Cards? Or Playing the People?”.

For thoughts related to the ideas in this blog, please read my blogs “Jesus Climbs the Temple Mount”, “Spilling Coffee”, “Individuals and Systems, Now and Forever, One and Inseparable”, “Nationalism Is Patriotism Gone Astray”, and “Keeping the Powers of Money, Religion and Kingdoms Separate”.

To learn more about the ideas in this blog, please read my books Visions of the Church (published together in one volume with my book, Visions of America) and Lighting the World.

To read more about Isaiah, please read the chapters “Isaiah’s Vision”, “The LORD Saves Jerusalem From Assyria”, and “Hezekiah Foolishly Welcomes the Babylonians” in my book Healing the Promised Land, at pages 239-266.

To be precise, King Hezekiah was probably the king who Isaiah condemned for seeking an alliance with the Egyptians, but this is not certain. See the full note to Isaiah 30:1-7 in the second edition of The Jewish Study Bible (NJPS).