Ceasefire
A Discussion on Political Divide and Perspective
I had a political conversation with my mom a few times this week (yes, talking to your mom is always cool, and much cooler when you’re an adult 😜). And since I work with her in ministry and I just really love Jesus and people … this is probably going to sound way more “preachy” than political.
So enjoy :D
Our whole conversation came down to one thing: how frustrated we are with the political divide.
It was heavy on my mind, especially since I’ve actually had the same type of conversation—on separate occasions—with a friend and my sister. I just can’t seem to stop talking about it now.
“The screaming voices of the left vs. right are distracting people from what matters: God and obviously the people,” I told my mom.
We are both into politics—but are always able to see people for who they are. Not for the party they represent. Yes, we personally are conservatives and we fight for political decisions that reflect Biblical standards for our city, state, and nation.
But as we do so … we remember that Christ is married to the backslider (Jeremiah 3:14).
I want to see change in my city. I want to see change in my nation. But I highly doubt that will happen by fighting fire with fire in the way politics advises (hate, harsh debate, the constant need to be right and prove the other wrong). Rather, we are to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).
Why can’t our harmony, goodness, kindness, compassion, and desire to seek peace speak louder than any political voice and news headline?
More American? Ha.
I am not in any way saying “compromising” our standards or beliefs as Christians is the way to harmony. There is absolutely no middle ground to things like abortion or sex-change/same-sex relationships. The Bible is incredibly clear about what we are to “accept” and what we are not to accept as followers of Christ. We are to accept Christ and reject sin in our lives.
But have we forgotten? We have all been there. We were all sinners, astray in our own way. We are all humans who cannot make it on our own, but only with the Holy Spirit and the Revelation of God and His Word.
But have we forgotten, in the political divide MESSES, that there is no “greater sinner,” there is just “all sinners.” There is no “more American” there is just “Americans”?
This righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ for all those [Jew or Gentile] who believe [and trust in Him and acknowledge Him as God’s Son]. There is no distinction, since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God (Corinthians 3: 22-23 AMP).
A woman may believe, support, or even have had an abortion out of her own understanding and personal decision. But she is no worse than the girl next door, who is hurting herself with the drugs illegally brought into the country, thus prompting more illegal activity. A man may completely despise police officers or local government officials, constantly threatening or being a threat, because he thinks he is protecting himself and his family justly. But he’s no worse than the other law-abiding citizen, who supports every government department yet sometimes lies, steals, and claims that it’s “for a good reason” and he’ll “pay back later.”
Breaking God’s law is breaking God’s law. Breaking U.S. law is breaking U.S. law. There are consequences for both, justice for both, a way out for both. Same scales? Nope, but same principle.
And such were some of you [before you believed]. But you were washed [by the atoning sacrifice of Christ], you were sanctified [set apart for God, and made holy], you were justified [declared free of guilt] in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the [Holy] Spirit of our God [the source of the believer’s new life and changed behavior].
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 AMP
We are Christians, and the Gospel is carried within us. We are to guide the lost, broken, sinful, and deceived to the sanctification of Jesus Christ (through His Salvation, healing, and deliverance).
Even in politics.
We cannot guilt-trip the woman who had a legal abortion just to make her cut her support of abortions or "suddenly” change her opinion on the matter. She will only get offended and defend herself, because that’s all she knows. But we can share with her what she doesn’t know. But how do we do that? By asking questions (never assuming).
Let her talk, speak her mind. Because she won’t understand nor want to hear your perspective and stance of “It’s murder, you’re breaking God’s law” or why you’re giving her a biology lesson…
Listen. Analyze. Then share.
And before my hard right-wing readers freak out … let me ask YOU. Have you ever talked to a woman who has had an abortion? And I am so not talking about the reels and videos of women who have on social media. Yes, there very much are people with CRAZY beliefs about abortion. But let’s stop highlighting them as the majority. No, I mean one-on-one. Straight up conversation.
Because my mom and I have. And let me tell ya, you’ll find a broken woman. Behind her strong “woman” stance are the broken pieces of her soul that she can’t get back without Christ. And the only way she knows how to medicate her loss is by supporting abortion. Because maybe her mind is thinking that it just didn’t result the way she “personally” wanted, but it could work better for someone else.
Murder is murder that is true. A child is always a child regardless of what stage of development. And there is no excuse for taking that unborn child’s life. These are facts that will not change. But there is still redemption and forgiveness in Christ waiting for every woman who had an abortion along with their precious child who is so eagerly waiting to meet them in Heaven. These are facts that will not change. Jesus is the way.
“In Him we have redemption [that is, our deliverance and salvation] through His blood, [which paid the penalty for our sin and resulted in] the forgiveness and complete pardon of our sin, in accordance with the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7 AMP).
Politically, in order to protect those unborn babies, we have to reach the mothers carrying them. We have to cure them from the poisoned ideas they are carrying in their minds that says, “Abortion is the only way.” The cure? The truth delivered to them in love. And, no. we don’t have to throw Bibles at them to make them listen.
You would be amazed at how our countenance, behavior, and heart toward people can—quite naturally—compromise their beliefs and understanding of life.
Sin is sin; we should never promote it (politically, spiritually, or naturally). But as Christians navigating the political realm …
We cannot get lost in the “You’re wrong and I am right.” It should be, I know the Truth, they do not. Lord, show me how I can help them to draw closer to you and share the Truth…
The political divide attempts to push us into aggravated arguments instead of calm debates (or better, discussions). I have been guilty of coming off defensive and hostile (in unnecessary situations) simply out of habit. Some of them, I am not proud of. Others, I knew I had no choice but to buck back because I had my own dignity (and the dignity of others) to preserve and protect.
Yet, discussing politics “under fire” shouldn’t be the common form of political conversation. Christian or not, we’re all still humans. I get into full-blown heated arguments with people close to me (who are also conservative Christians). For it all to come down to a miscommunication because someone or everyone automatically switched on defense mode even though we really were in agreement.
I genuinely want to change outcomes like that with the people close to me and those from outside my inner circle.
Ask yourself this question…
What is the change you want to see in the nation?
Personally, I want to see peace in political conversations and discussions, no matter who I’m talking to. We can get passionate, we can be bold, we can even disagree—but I want there to be one goal in mind: Peace.
Can you imagine what that would look like? If politically active Christians went about in conversations with believers and non-believers, peacefully discussing politics? And our views? Would that not turn eyes, make people (with different beliefs) question if what we are saying is true and trustworthy?
There is a reason why people like Charlie Kirk make a difference. He was a political activist who was not looking for a fight; he was looking for a discussion.
And in every political conversation, we have the capability (even responsibility) to bring the facts n’ stats. But, as Christians, we are to bring compassion and understanding that comes from the Spirit of God. We deliver the truth but have the understanding that we will not let any conversation or debate drag into unnecessary, harmful levels. Just to prove a point.
If we fail, we learn. We gain wisdom and try again.
If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Romans 13:18 AMP
I want the political divide to stop distracting us from what’s in front of us. We have broken communities all around us who need help (yes, from the government but also from us). We have a society crumbling by cultural change that runs on feelings instead of what is true. There is an entire generation seeking to be involved in any “movement” that will make them feel like they belong …
So why not let them know that they can belong with us? Our family as brothers and sisters in Christ? Why not let how we carry ourselves in conversations cause them to feel heard, accepted, and wondering why we are so at peace?
Why not let the compassion we have for the broken and poor prompt us to get involved in our community? Why can’t we start advocating for policies and public change that will help our city and nation?
Why not go change the world for God’s glory in every area: politically, spiritually, and relationally? Are we willing to go the distance to be the example of Christ to the people who disagree with us?
The Spirit of God is within us to help us do it. The question is: will we set aside the political divide and step into the boldness, peace, and unity of Christ to be the change we want to see?
For I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me [with help and ministering care].
Matthew 25:42-43 AMP
I appreciate your heart for reducing division, and I agree that compassion should lead our conversations. But I think there’s a fundamental problem with the framing here that we need to address honestly.
You’re advocating for kinder delivery while maintaining that certain groups of people (immigrants, LGBTQ individuals) are inherently sinful or don’t belong. But here’s the thing: you can’t separate how you say something from what you’re saying. Telling someone their marriage is invalid or their family should be deported, but doing it “with compassion,” doesn’t make it compassionate. It makes it paternalistic.
The political divide isn’t just about tone or manners. It’s about whose humanity we’re willing to defend. When you say “there’s no middle ground” on LGBTQ relationships, you’re not taking a neutral theological stance. You’re actively supporting policies and rhetoric that harm real people. Kids get kicked out of their homes. People lose their jobs. Families are torn apart. That’s not abstract theology. That’s concrete suffering.
And let’s talk about the Matthew 25 passage you quoted, because I think you’re closer to the truth there than you realize. Jesus didn’t say “I was a stranger, and you made sure I had the proper documentation before inviting me in.” He didn’t say “I was hungry, but only if you were here legally.” The entire point of that passage is radical, unconditional care for the vulnerable, with no asterisks, no qualifying conditions.
Here’s where your post breaks down for me: You want to “overcome evil with good” and “seek peace,” but you’re still defending a political movement that:
∙ Terrorizes immigrant families (like what’s happening in Minnesota right now)
∙ Strips healthcare from the poor
∙ Demonizes refugees and asylum seekers
∙ Attacks the dignity of LGBTQ people
∙ Concentrates wealth among the already wealthy while gutting support for the vulnerable
You can’t be for the “least of these” in your personal life while voting for policies that crush them. That’s not political division. That’s moral contradiction.
When you say “sin is sin” and we shouldn’t compromise on abortion or LGBTQ issues, but then vote for leaders who mock the disabled, brag about sexual assault, lie constantly, stoke hatred, and enrich themselves through corruption, what message does that send? It says those “sins” don’t actually matter. It says the only “real” sins are the ones that align with your political tribe.
Here’s my actual concern with your approach: You’re treating the political divide as a communication problem when it’s actually a justice problem. It’s not that Democrats are too mean or too loud. It’s that we fundamentally disagree about whether certain people deserve dignity, safety, and equal treatment under the law.
You want peaceful conversations, and so do I. But peace without justice isn’t peace. It’s just the absence of conflict for those comfortable enough not to be harmed by the status quo. The prophets didn’t call for civility. They called for justice. Jesus didn’t politely ask the money changers to consider a different business model.
If you’re truly serious about following Christ’s example, I’d challenge you to ask: What if your politics are the problem, not your tone? What if the “screaming voices” you want to tune out are actually people crying out because they’re being harmed, not by rhetoric, but by actual policy?
You say you want to see change in your community. Here’s my question: Are you willing to examine whether your politics actually reflect what Scripture calls you to do? Because all the compassionate conversations in the world won’t help if you’re still empowering leaders who actively harm the vulnerable.
I’m not saying this to attack you. I’m saying it because I think you genuinely want to live out your faith. But right now, your faith and your politics are in direct contradiction. The solution isn’t to be nicer about your politics. It’s to examine whether your politics actually reflect what Scripture calls us to do.
Because here’s what I see: The version of Christianity that’s become entangled with MAGA politics isn’t actually rooted in the Gospel. It’s rooted in Christian nationalism, which has a documented history of being built on racism, xenophobia, and the protection of power rather than the protection of the vulnerable. That’s not me being divisive. That’s history.
When the Bible talks about welcoming the stranger, it doesn’t add “unless they crossed the border illegally.” When Jesus says “whatever you did for the least of these,” he doesn’t footnote it with “except if they’re undocumented.”
When he commands us to love our neighbors, he doesn’t give us permission to decide who counts as a neighbor based on their documentation status or who they love.
Your faith and politics absolutely should align. But they should align with what the Bible actually says about caring for the vulnerable, welcoming the stranger, defending the oppressed, and loving without condition. Not with a political ideology that’s co-opted Christian language while rejecting Christian values.
The question isn’t whether you should bring your faith into politics. The question is: Are you bringing Jesus into your politics, or are you bringing your politics to Jesus and asking him to bless them?
Christ called us to love our neighbors. Not just the ones who look like us, believe like us, or were born in the same country. All of them. No exceptions. No asterisks. No “but they broke the law” or “but the Bible says.” Just love.
That’s the standard. Anything less isn’t “Biblical conservatism.” It’s just conservatism with a Bible verse attached.
My final comment. To say that you weren't attacking me directly or my beliefs and that it was appropriate for the topic means you were going by your own, personal understanding. Not seeking to understand me or why I made the post or believe what I do. That proves you're focused on yourself more than you are about having a conversation with the other person--me. It also proves you're not good at listening.
At the beginning of my post, I said this was NOT a political post. But about my thoughts about a conversation I had with my mom. Yes, that was personal. Personal in the sense of clarifying I'm talking about "people to people" and it's meant to be preachy and not political.
So for you to say that your comment is still appropriate means you either didn't read the post or you simply wanted to argue. You can argue, just pick a different blog to do that on because there are plenty here. But on my blog we can conversate but I refuse to allow personalized attacks. Because your last comment is still classified as an attack. You still keep using the "you" statements at me after I clarified that I'm not going to respond to you directly, because I don't want an argument. If anything I'll write a post in the future. Which I said. But you made a remark that you "noticed I didn't answer." Yeah, it's a choice. And you're right, I owe you no answers. I already said that. But you felt compelled to have the "final say" by addressing what I didn't respond. And saying I have to "wrestle" with these questions? That's still an attack and proves you are determined to argue instead of seek peace (the point of my post you continue to miss). I ended my side with "I cannot change what you believe, so I'm not going to." But you ended yours with still fully listing all the things you disagree about me and my beliefs before ending the comment.
You're wanting more argument but I'm wanting peace in conversation. And for that, I'm not continuing this. Because we're not in agreement on terms of how to conversate. Also, remember, the title of my post was "Ceasefire." But I'm wondering if you understand what ceasefire means in a conversation. Because it's not what you're doing. I pray for peace in your life and for any future conversations you have with anyone. God bless you and keep you.
Good day.