Should Christians Be Political?

These are, indeed, interesting times – political and otherwise.

Many Christians are rightly concerned about the moral and political direction our country seems to be headed, and yet they are unsure what can, or even should, be done to try and correct some obvious problems. Rampant government spending, illegal immigration and the redefinition of marriage are just some of the issues Christians contend with on a daily basis. To make it more interesting, there seems to be a never-ending source of contradictory thoughts and actions we are told to take part in. The Left, the Right, Libertarians, Liberals and Conservatives – each group has a ‘plan’ on how to deal with these issues. Trouble is, how are we to know which plan is best? Should Christians be political?

Some people think that we, as Christians, shouldn’t become involved in ‘the affairs of this life,’ supposing that God has called us to something higher. Others take the road of violence (either in verbal, physical or both) because they are so disgusted at what they see happening. The majority do nothing for a variety of reasons. But what does God say we should do – if anything at all? Does God even deal with these matters? Should Christians be political?

The answer to the last question is yes, God indeed does deal with these issues. The important thing is that, to be effective, we first need to know our priorities and be sure we are grounded in the basics. To understand our priorities and the basics we need to consult the Word of God.

The first priority is to get our own house in order, to start operating in right thinking (God’s thinking). God calls everyone to repent, to turn from our own way of doing things and start to do things His way;

Isa 1:18-20

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

Acts 17:30-31

Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”

Once we have committed ourselves to follow Christ through the Word of God, He commands us to operate as a light to those people around us who operate in darkness;

Isa 42:6-7

“I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the Gentiles, to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the prison, those who sit in darkness from the prison house. (While this passage is a prophecy regarding the coming of the Messiah, it applies to us today. Since we are the body of Christ we are to continue His Word and work! This is brought out in the next quote)

Matt 5:14-16

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Next, we are not to engage people as enemies. Although people may oppose the truth we proclaim, our real enemy is Lucifer and his host. While it’s true that the people of the world are lost, most of them are lost due to the spiritual influence of the enemy. Satan uses them to try and hinder the Word of God. He attempts to discourage and nullify the witness of the believer. How can we respond to this opposition in a godly way? It’s by learning to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in how we respond to this conflict;

2 Tim 2:23-26

But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

So far we have been dealing inwardly, addressing our own condition and how we respond to others who take exception to the Lord. These are, however, almost like defensive measures. Are we to get involved in politics? Are we to take the offensive in what we do? Should Christians be political? The resounding answer is YES, BY ALL MEANS!

First of all, instead of criticizing our leaders we should pray for them;

1 Tim 2:1-5

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

I know it isn’t often an easy thing to do, but it’s the right thing to do. I get very frustrated when I see some of things being done in the government. Yet, instead of getting aggravated and irritated to the point of inactivity, you and I should take action. The men and women within our government are accountable to God, not only for their personal lives, but more so for what they do while in office. They need our help through prayer and communication! But we can do more. We can, and need to, become active participants in what happens in our government.

God has given us the governmental structure of the United States. The foundations of this republic, along with the formative first few decades, were set by men who knew and believed in the Word of God. Since these individuals allowed for the free exercise of religion, then it is up to us to exercise that religion in every area of our lives both privately and publicly – politics included.

Consider these quotes from a few of the men who helped establish our country and look for the common thread;

• “Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation, to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.”

[John Jay, The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, Henry P. Johnston, ed. (New York: G.P. Putnams Sons, 1890), Vol. IV, p. 365.]

• “When you become entitled to exercise the right of voting for public officers, let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers, “just men who will rule in the fear of God.” The preservation of government depends on the faithful discharge of this duty; if the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made, not for the public good so much as for selfish or local purposes; corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute the laws; the public revenues will be squandered on unworthy men; and the rights of the citizens will be violated or disregarded. If a republican government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the laws.”

[Noah Webster, History of the United States (New Haven: Durrie & Peck, 1832), pp. 336-337, �49.]

• “Let each citizen remember at the moment he is offering his vote that he is not making a present or a compliment to please an individual – or at least that he ought not so to do; but that he is executing one of the most solemn trusts in human society for which he is accountable to God and his country. “

[Samuel Adams, The Writings of Samuel Adams, Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1907), Vol. IV, p. 256, in the Boston Gazette on April 16, 1781.]

• “But the time has come that Christians [& citizens] must vote for honest men, and take consistent ground in politics. They must let the world see that the Church will uphold no man in office who is known to be a knave, or an adulterer, or a Sabbath-breaker, or a gambler, or a drunkard. Such is the spread of intelligence and the facility of communication in our country,that every man can know for whom he gives his vote. And if he will give his vote only for honest men, the country will be obliged to have upright rulers.”

[Charles G. Finney, Lectures on Revivals of Religion (New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1868), Lecture XV, pp. 281-282.]

If we are led by the Spirit of God we will make huge progress, first in converting the lost to Christ and then as we actively help in returning this country to its proper foundations.

Quotes retrieved from: www.wallbuilders.com