Can There Be Love in Politics?

The recent presidential debate left many of us pondering not just political strategies, but deeper questions about kindness, truth, and our capacity to love one another. As I watched, I couldn’t help but feel empathy for both candidates. Biden, struggling to articulate his thoughts coherently, and Trump, bold in his statements yet sometimes lacking in grace.

Love is a word often tossed around, but do we truly embody it in our lives, as my grandfather, a fiery Baptist preacher, and my gentle grandmother, polar opposites in personality, taught me? Their lives were a testament to balancing truth with compassion. They believed, as I do, that God is love—the purest form of love demonstrated through Jesus Christ.

Jesus’ love was radical. It transformed lives. He didn’t condemn the woman caught in adultery or the despised tax collector Zacchaeus. Instead, He loved them into repentance and salvation. He empowered the Samaritan woman at the well and turned Saul of Tarsus from a persecutor into a proclaimer of the Gospel.

The debate left me drained. It’s exhausting to be against something, but energizing to be for something—to stand for peace, harmony, and justice. As Christians, our role is crucial. We’re callged to promote these virtues in a world marred by conflict and injustice.

“But how can we love when there’s so much wrong in the world?” Grace. God’s love isn’t based on what we deserve; it’s based on His loving-kindness and mercy. His love embraces saints and sinners alike. Shouldn’t our love for others reflect that same kindness and mercy?

And what about those who seem irredeemable? With God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). We may struggle on our own, but through His strength, we can overcome our hurts, fears, and prejudices. The cross of Jesus Christ frees us from malice and hatred, empowering us to respond to evil with good.

We have a choice. To protest or to make peace; to hate or to love; to be angry or joyful; to point fingers or forgive. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).

In the end, let us heed the simple wisdom of my grandmother: “JUST LOVE!” In a world that often feels divided, love remains our most powerful weapon. It heals, it restores, and it brings hope. Let’s choose love today and every day.