1 Corinthians 1:11-12
My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”
These verses sound a little like the political scene in the US at the moment. Everyone is picking sides. I have developed a litmus test for how I view candidates for a political office when I know what the issues are. First Corinthians gives us a good clue of how we can handle the presidential race. Later in this first chapter beginning in v. 18, Paul calls attention to the crucifixion of Jesus upon the cross. My first litmus test is what that person says about Jesus Christ and if there is evidence of this in how the person lives. Not always can I determine this, plus I don’t follow everything everyone says. A second test is the character of the person. For Paul, the way to avoid divisions in the Corinthian church was to have the mind of Christ (2:16). If Christ dwells within us, how we live and the choices we make that affect others will be consistent with the law of Christ, the law of love. I don’t necessarily expect a president to be a shining saint, but I do expect that person to have integrity and to show love and compassion to others. A third test is how the candidate lives morally. Towards the end of ch. 6, Paul calls the Corinthians to leave their life of fleshly ways. Some of the candidates have lived very fleshly lives. The president must be a role model to the rest of the nation. Our nation is already is serious trouble morally. Having a leader who only feeds this frenzy can only deteriorate this even more. A fourth test is how the least are treated, including the unborn and the poor. In ch. 8, Paul writes how the “strong” should give up certain “rights,” such as eating food sacrificed to idols, in order that the weak may not fall into sin. The basic truth behind this that we need to consider the needs of others before our own. This goes cross-grains to a lot of the worldview of Americans, but it is very Christ-like according to Philippians 2:5-11. I want a candidate who gives equality to all, especially the innocent unborn child.
There are other things I could say, but these are character qualities that are very important to me.
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