For years I thought my purpose in life was to unite America in a conservative movement. I wanted everyone to vote Republican and oppose unnecessary taxes. Politics and conservatism were my passions in life, but they are temporal things that do not matter much to me anymore. I say this because Jesus is my passion and my ultimate purpose is to spread the Gospel and love others.

I believe Jesus had absolutely no political affiliation. Last time I checked, he was not a card-carrying member of a labor union or a gun rights organization. He never preached about government-run health care or lowering taxes. Jesus was not a politician, and he pledged allegiance to no country or ideology, except his own.

The fact both liberals and conservatives claim God is on their side upsets me. Jesus did talk about morality and spoke against many things conservatives would find wrong, such as sexual immorality of any kind, laziness and the taking of innocent life. But he also spoke against what many liberals would find wrong, like the wealthy oppressing the poor, judging others and not loving one another for any reason. Jesus praised a hard work ethic and giving to the poor. He despised the wealthy being selfish with their riches.

Conservatives have it right on some issues Christ talked about. They value hard work and personal responsibility, and they agree with many of the morals Jesus taught. Liberals have it right on loving one another and giving to the poor. Of course, on both sides, there are exceptions.

It gets me so upset when pastors use Jesus to make a cheap political point that has no Biblical grounds. As Christians, our purpose is not to use Christ for that reason. If we feel something should be changed, we need to take leadership and follow our convictions to make a difference. Jesus did not and would never go around wearing a pin that says, “Yes We Can” or a shirt that says, “Look out for the guns. Join the NRA.” It all comes down to the attitude of the heart. If people on the right are so concerned with social justice and morality, then it better be because their hearts are into it, not because Jesus makes a good attachment to a political point. And people on the left need to be mindful of too many social programs, because God wants charity from the heart, not mandated through taxes.

No political party or ideology has a rightful claim to Jesus. The people with the hearts full of love and a passion for justice have the true claim to Christ. Policies that are made may line up with Biblical principles, or they may not. But Jesus would not have voted for a specific party. He would have voted for whoever loved his neighbor the most.