Jesus had a revolutionary approach to politics, he navigated the tension between earthly authority and ultimate allegiance to God. We see this clearly in the story of Jesus being questioned about paying taxes to Caesar. His ambiguous yet profound response - 'Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's' - teaches us to engage in the political process while recognizing that true transformation comes from within. Let’s strive to avoid the extremes of political complacency or political primacy, instead focusing on loving others like Christ and gaining influence for the sake of the Gospel. As we face the challenges and divisions of an election year, we are reminded that our unity in Christ transcends political differences, and that our ultimate hope rests in the unshakable kingdom of God. "He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By His wounds you are healed..” 1 Peter 2:24 (NLT) Ethos is a life-giving community committed to keeping Jesus at its Center. Our vision is to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did so that we may love all people in Jesus' name. EthosOH.com Small Groups: EthosOH.com/Community ServeColumbus.org

We are reminded that as followers of Christ, our ultimate goal should be to love like Jesus, even amidst the divisiveness and challenges of an election year. While we may hold different political views, our shared faith in Christ should unite us and shape our interactions with others. By recognizing that both anger and fear are often used as political tools, we can instead choose to anchor ourselves in the confidence and peace that comes from trusting in God's sovereignty. We are encouraged to stay aware of how our politics are shaping us spiritually and actively seek to be formed in the image of Christ, using our political involvement as a means to demonstrate His love to the world. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7 Ethos is a life-giving community committed to keeping Jesus at its Center. Our vision is to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did so that we may love all people in Jesus' name. EthosOH.com Small Groups: EthosOH.com/Community ServeColumbus.org