Conservative, Bible-adhering Christians should be wary of confusing the invisible body of Christ (the Church) with a political party.  It's true that 83 percent of evangelical Christians voted for Republican candidates (myself included), primarily because of their stance on such issues as abortion and same-sex marriages.  However, as Christians, we must always be on guard from being lured away from our faith life and into worldly affairs. 

Jesus said: "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36). 

It is naturally inviting for a people designated in 1 Peter 2:9 as a "chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a people belonging to God" to want to do good and work for changes that advance the kingdom of Heaven.  But Christians must remember to consider the "whole counsel of God" before endorsing political agendas or parties.

In particular, I am referring to the Republicans who just recently passed legislation making it more difficult for people with lower incomes and those suffering from horrendous medical bills to file for bankruptcy. Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah said, "If people can pay their bills, then they should pay their bills."

He's right, but what about those who can't?  The reasons cited for this legislation was the abuse of credit cards.  Yet the number one cause of bankruptcy isn't credit card debt, but medical bills as a result of not having health insurance.  This legislation specifically favors insurance companies, the credit card companies, credit reporting bureaus, and the large medical facilities.  In short, these laws will hurt the poor while helping the rich.

I find it very difficult to believe that Jesus would be happy to see members of His Church working to pass legislation aimed at making it tougher on the poor.  We're reminded when the young rich man asked Jesus what he should do, Jesus told him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven" (Matthew 19:21). 

Today private property is emphasized as a God-given right, but we also we must realize how different things were in the early Church.  "All the believers were one in heart and mind.  No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had" (Acts 4:32).

I realize I am being extremely critical of the Republican Party, but that is because there is no question that they have demonstrated a far greater sensitivity to religious freedom than liberal Democrats, whose entire agenda consists of promoting secular policies that dishonor God -- all in the guise of separating church and state.

On the other hand, the day after President Bush was reelected, he was cautioned by members of his own party about nominating pro-life judges.  So I think perhaps the greatest warning of blindly following a party can be found in Jeremiah:

Like cages full of birds, their houses are full of deceit; they have become rich and powerful and have grown fat and sleek.  Their evil deeds have no limit; they do not plead the case of the fatherless to win it, they do not defend the rights of the poor (Jeremiah 5:27-28).