Will you still respect me on November 6?
Current polling and social media rancor would suggest that that is a big ask. Our country is evenly divided with precise 50-50 splits nationally as well as in bellwether states and regions. I have deep-thinking friends enthusiastically on both sides of the divide. One of the prominent common denominators: both sets of friends question how the other side can vote for their candidate in good conscience. Respect may be hard to come by on November 6, the day after the election.
A certain generation, and maybe more than one thanks to YouTube, will remember the Looney Tunes characters of Ralph Wolf (who greatly resembled Wile E. Coyote, and even used the same ACME tools) and Sam Sheepdog. Ralph spent his workday conniving ways to capture sheep while Sam spent his workday foiling Ralph’s attempts, which usually involved Ralph being flattened by his own ACME anvil. At the end of the workday, they would meet at the timeclock to punch out and leave with a friendly “Have a good night Sam—see you in the morning Ralph.”
In today’s political climate, can we be like Ralph and Sam?
I have personal testimony that it can happen. I have a dear friend since college days whom I have the privilege of living near. In college we both worked on the political campaign of John B. Anderson who ran as an independent against Carter and Reagan (I’ll let you figure out how long ago that was). We have since both drifted in different directions politically and geographically. Through a series of crazy events, we’ve ended up in the same area geographically, but not in the same area politically. So, we get together a couple times a year with the intention of a spirited conversation about politics. We give restaurant servers a fair heads up to seat us in a more secluded area since we tend to lose track of how loud we might get. We have similar levels of understanding of the issues at hand and hold our respective ground pretty well with each other. We sometimes even teach the other. And more often than you might expect, we find common ground. Occasionally we’ll get a knowing glance from a fellow restaurant patron who can tell exactly what’s going on: two dear, long-time friends who are enthusiastic about their beliefs but who have great love and respect for each other. When we wrap up it’s hugs all around, apologies to the patrons, a fight for the check (I’m behind in that count, by the way), and then more hugs with a promise to connect again soon with our families. As we walk to our cars, we seamlessly melt back into our friendship. “Have a good night Sam—see you in the morning Ralph.”
This type of interaction is not only possible, it is invigorating, and from a biblical standpoint, it is necessary. Scripture frequently speaks into the relationship between believers and their secular governmental leadership. Here’s the thing: Nearly every instance that secular leadership is referred to in Scripture, something more important takes center stage. Secular governmental leadership is to be in the background. Here are a few takeaways from some of the more prominent Scripture passages:
- Despite changes in leadership, Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Heb. 13:8)
- The desired outcome and ultimate goal: live in all godliness and holiness. This comes about from living a peaceful, quiet life, which comes about by making petitions, prayers, intercession AND THANKSGIVING for all people, specifically for those in authority. (1 Tim. 2:1-4)
- We pay taxes so that authorities can govern full-time. And we are to be respectful to those who govern. However, our top concern, and only debt worth having, is to love one another. While this is a running command all through Scripture, in one particular passage this a concern shared in the context of submitting to authorities. (Rom. 13:1-10)
- In being subject to rulers in authority, we are to slander no one…to be peaceable, considerate, and (here’s the biggee), gentle toward everyone. That is a direct social media zing. (Titus 3:1-2)
Secular leadership is not to be neglected. Pay taxes, be subject to rulers in authority, pray for those in leadership. But above all these things: be gentle toward everyone, love one another, live in all godliness and holiness.
We are all the political products of our experiences, our families, our personal philosophies, and so much more. From there we develop our opinions and beliefs. In these passages, however, is an invitation, maybe even a challenge. Scripture is very clear that we are to be politically aware, maybe even politically involved. There is, however, a higher realm of living that a believer is called to. It’s a realm that’s above the fray, where common ground can be experienced with those of differing political persuasions, and respect can remain intact.
Let’s be like Ralph and Sam. Let’s be able to end our political conversations with a sincere “Have a good night Sam—see you in the morning Ralph.”
Download Free Bible Study Exercise: Can We Be Like Ralph and Sam?