A Political Hot Button - The Mentioning of God

Reading up on the two political national conventions of both the Republicans and Democrats and how each group is using the name of God as a sign of being somewhat religious can be in the overall scheme a mistake.  Think about it: Aren’t these two political parties being somewhat blasphemous because they are using the name of God as a political hot button?

I have to admit, there are moments when I listen for such things, such as the mentioning of God. If a political party mentions God, then that suggests a sign of commitment on their reliance on God and to religious freedom. But does it really? Isn’t God being pimp in some way?  As believers, we certainly do not want to suggest that being a Christian has little to no meaning unless it is part of one’s national citizenship or a special interests group. Aren’t we instead called to live holy lives and be evangelists in sharing our faith with the world in a loving and effective manner?

Remember the Third Commandment – “You shall not use the name of the Lord, your God in vain” (Exod. 20:7). We usually think that the application of this commandment has to do with speaking politely about God. But is there more to it than that? 

In one of Michael Patton’s blogs on what does it means to take the name of the Lord in vain, he writes:

“The nations to which the Israelites were going had many gods. They were highly superstitious. Their prophets would often use the name of their god in pronouncements. The usage could be in a curse, hex, or even a blessing. They would use the name of their god to give their statements, whatever they may be, authority.

“To pronounce something in their own name would not have given their words much weight, but to pronounce something in the name of a god meant that people would listen and fear. They may have said, “In the name of Baal, there will be no rain for 40 days.” Or “In the name of Marduk, I say that you will win this battle.” This gave the prophet much power and authority…

God was attempting to prevent the Israelites from doing the same thing. God was saying for them not to use His name like the nations used the names of their gods. He did not want them to use His name to invoke false authority behind pronouncements. In essence, God did not want the Israelites to say that He said something that He had not said. This makes sense. God has a reputation to protect.”

Isn’t this how God’s name is being used today at both National Conventions? Hit the God-button in order to give false authority to the person using it.  When God’s name is used as a political hot button by politicians for the sake of their own glory and the glory of their party, it does tremendous damage to the ability of genuine believers who have bigger goals than witnessing their party win elections. Our purpose on earth is telling the lost that there is a God who loves them and sent His Son to die for their sins.

So, in one sense, it may be noble a gesture when God’s name was booed at the Democratic National Convention as way to stop trying to take the name of God in vain. God’s name should not be used as a political hot button. Those who did booed may not have understood this when they did, but their booing may have had a great spiritual significance.

We do not want to assume that just because Republicans using the name of God at their Convention are godly, and the Democrats at their Convention who do not are secular and ungodly.

Think about it: Would you elect someone to your church leadership just because they use the name of God in their vocabulary? Wouldn’t you look for internal evidence of a transformed life and a heart filled with the love of God as a better indicator?

It’s so easy to get all hyped up during this upcoming presidential election to miss the real issues. We all want change for the better and not change for the sake of change. But while we are praying for such an outcome, let’s remember that God is more than a political vote. He is our Sovereign Authority of the Universe who will fulfill His purposes in America and around the world no matter which political party runs the White House.