Love & Politics
What is love? No, really — what is love? We talk about it. We hashtag it. We throw the word around as if we fully grasp its depth. Yet, if love was truly guiding us, would our world look the way it does today?
Right now, the political landscape feels like a battlefield — chaotic, uncertain, and driven by fear. Nations are at odds, leaders wield power like a weapon, and the people — oh, the people — are caught in the crossfire. Here in America, we’re watching political divisions widen, trust in institutions erode, and basic human decency crumble under the weight of partisanship. It’s exhausting. But more than that, it’s heartbreaking.
And yet, in the middle of this mess, Jesus’ words still stand:
“Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:31)
Now, that’s a loaded command. Because if we’re being honest, many of us don’t even love ourselves well. We walk around carrying insecurities, fears, and unchecked biases. We allow anger and resentment to take root. We’re quick to judge, slow to listen, and hesitant to extend grace. So how can we possibly love our neighbors if we don’t first confront what’s broken within us?
Fear Is Driving the Political Narrative
Let’s talk about what’s really fueling the chaos: fear.
Fear of losing power. Fear of change. Fear of the unknown. Fear of “the other.” Politicians, media outlets, and even religious leaders are playing on these fears, using division as a tool to control the narrative. Instead of leading with love, we’re being conditioned to distrust and despise one another. And when fear reigns, love takes a backseat.
But here’s the thing — fear is not of God.
It tells us that our enemies are our neighbors. It convinces us that protecting our own interests is more important than serving the greater good. It whispers that love makes us weak. But that’s not true. Fear makes us weak. It makes us reactionary, defensive, and blind to the needs of others.
The Fruit of the Spirit vs. The Works of the Flesh
Paul laid it out for us in Galatians 5:19–23. The works of the flesh — bitterness, hatred, division, selfish ambition — look a lot like the headlines we see today. But the fruit of the Spirit — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control — that’s what we’re called to embody.
Imagine if we applied the fruit of the Spirit to politics. What if leaders operated with patience instead of impulsive retaliation? What if kindness shaped policies? What if self-control prevented reckless rhetoric that stirs up violence and division? What if love — real, sacrificial, Spirit-led love — was the foundation of every decision?
Sounds radical, doesn’t it? But isn’t that the point? Jesus was radical. He didn’t operate in fear. He didn’t cater to political systems. He didn’t demonize His enemies. Instead, He loved. And that love changed the world.
Choosing Love — Even When It’s Hard
Loving our neighbor is not conditional. It’s not about whether they vote like us, think like us, or believe what we believe. It’s about seeing their humanity, recognizing their worth, and choosing to love anyway.
That includes:
✅ The immigrant seeking refuge.
✅ The protestor marching in the streets.
✅ The conservative at the ballot box.
✅ The liberal in the boardroom.
✅ The stranger on the other side of the world.
Love is not passive. Love is action. Love is policy that protects the vulnerable. Love is truth that dismantles lies. Love is accountability that calls for justice. Love is what makes us fight — not against each other, but for each other.
Will We Let Love Reign?
We are at a crossroads. We can continue down this path of division, letting fear dictate our future. Or we can choose a different way — a better way. A way that looks like love in action.
It won’t be easy. Love never is. It requires sacrifice. It demands that we examine our own hearts. It calls us to reject hatred, even when we feel justified in holding onto it. But in the end, love is the only thing that wins.
So, as a new administration has taken office in the United States, as we navigate global conflicts, as we wrestle with injustice, ask yourself:
Am I letting fear drive me, or am I choosing love?
Because love is not just a feeling.
Love is not just a word.
Love is the difference between a world that crumbles and a world that heals.
And I don’t know about you, but I’m choosing love.
Yeah, as I write these words, I am making a commitment to pray for the new presidential administration in America. Whether I agree with their policies or find myself deeply concerned for my neighbors, I will stay the course and choose love. I will pray not just for them, but for myself — that I will not let fear, frustration, or division take root in my heart. That I will keep my eyes on what truly matters: loving my neighbor, standing for justice, and being a light in dark places.
Because love is the only way forward. And I refuse to turn back.
