Watch Sunday’s Sermon – Week 8 of “Fan or Follower – Keep Watch!” (LISTEN HERE).
Today is election day.
Yesterday I listened to a podcast on the question, “Should a Christian get involved in politics?” on the website https://crossexamined.org/. The podcast is worth listening to.
The short answer is, “Yes!”
Why? (Some of these are borrowed from the podcast.)
- It is an opportunity to love your neighbor.
Matthew 22:37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.
One of the two great commands God has given to us is to love our neighbor. The laws that are passed by our nation have a direct and indirect impact on people and their well-being. By voting and being involved in politics, we have opportunity to put into office those that would promote and protect the lives of people. We can help to protect the lives of unborn in a personal way, but laws to protect the unborn are loving to the unborn. Youth are being bombarded with gender confusion and given a smorgasbord of gender options when there are only two genders given at birth. Those that would promote abuse of children physically and emotionally over this issue are not expressing love to kids (even though it is promoted as such). Laws impact the lives of those that are being illegally trafficked for sexual services. It is loving to promote safety in our communities through the enforcement of laws and incarceration of those that would bring harm to our streets. In fact, this is why God gave authority to government.
Romans 13:4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
Our culture confuses Christians by causing us to think that evil is good, and standing up for good is racist, close-minded, or white privilege. The fact is that the biblical world-view of Christians provides a fabric for a society to love people. Good laws show love for people while curtailing activity that is destructive behavior.
- We are called to be salt and light in the world.
Matthew 5:15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
The podcast offers a long list of involvement that Christians have had to influence a positive impact on people: the end of slavery, upholding the value of women, the end of temple prostitution and more. The advantage of Christians is they have a view of the world that is from God himself that allows for people to live with boundaries, but with blessing for all. Our moral fabric is guided by truth of God’s word and a confidence that how he loves people is a blessing to all people in society. Our involvement in society is to be a blessing to all who live in that society.
One key caution. The United States is NOT the kingdom of God. We must always keep distinct the kingdom of God and the kingdom of the world. The kingdom of God is guided by the Gospel and the Word of God IS the ruling body of doctrine and guidance for life. The role of the Church is first and foremost the proclamation of the Gospel. The primary role of the Church is NOT to change the politics of a country.
That being said, as Christians, we live in the kingdom of this world. Jesus has left us in the world to influence the world for him. Yes, primarily it is through the Gospel, but it also is through our involvement in our communities, state and country and aiding in passing laws and upholding laws that align to the moral fabric and biblical-worldview the Lord gives us.
So as a citizen of the United States, exercise the privilege and responsibility to vote today. Engage in local council meetings, school boards and the like, not bringing ill-repute on the Christian faith, but speaking the truth in love.
Let your light shine as you vote and engage in politics!
Apply: Go vote!
Prayer: Lord, we trust that governing authorities are there because you allow them to be in that position. We ask that those elected today would honor the authority you give them and seek to be guided by your wisdom as they engage in the office to which they are elected. AMEN.