No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 2 Timothy 2:4
We Christians are sojourners and exiles. This is not where our ultimate allegiance lies!
David Van Drunen, Politics After Christendom
We certainly aren’t lacking in opportunities to engage in political discourse these days. From mask wearing to vaccine mandates and budget crises to abortion laws the world around us is in quite a turmoil. But when, as Christians, are we to engage? When are we called to join the fight and stand resolutely in our faith? These next two posts will look at our life as Christians and the political realm. First, starting with what role the church, and therefore Christians, play in our common citizenry.
But let’s back up a bit. For those of us living in the United States we’ve seen a serious deterioration from our Christian-held values over the last 70 years or so. Not long ago almost all businesses were closed on Sundays and you certainly couldn’t by alcohol on that day. Now, a business that makes the decision to not be open on Sundays because of their beliefs is vilified. I’ve heard different arguments about whether or not the United States was a special project by God. Whatever stance you may take on that we can be certain that every single nation was formed by God. Every single head of state has been placed in their position by God and therefore is subject to His expectations and final judgment.
For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:16-17
That the United States was founded with God and the idea of His sovereignty at the forefront should not, however, be in dispute. Besides the federal founding documents, all state constitutions, except one, reference God and His oversight of said government in the beginning of those documents. It was then left to the citizens, as it has throughout the history of the world, to maintain that stance.
When you get deep in to C.S. Lewis’ great Christian apologetic book, Mere Christianity, you’ll find the concept of a Moral Law. Through every empire, every phase of human existence we turn to this moral law for guidance. We know what basically is wrong (ie: killing another human for gain or pleasure) and what is right (ie: helping a widow or orphaned child). And, as Mr. Lewis argues, no matter your faith or lack thereof those concepts have been placed in our hearts and minds by someone.
But as a society drifts further away from a common faith, as in the case of much of Europe, North America and South America, we create new ways of working around what we know to be right and wrong. We bend the moral law to fit the desires of our flesh and we seek to be accepted by the world.
You cannot make men good by (man-made)law; and without good men you cannot have a good society.
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
And so, as Christians we watch as one of the last bastions of religious freedom, the United States, which also built upon that with many other freedoms, begin to crumble. And we can so easily misplace our fears on our elected officials and the laws they create.
So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. 2 Timothy 1:8-9
At the time Paul wrote this letter to Timothy the Romans ruled with an iron fist. Anyone that did not submit to their laws was imprisoned, tortured, killed, or pushed out of everyday society. And Paul reminds not just Timothy but all of us who read this message that we have one commander to whom we must be most concerned – God and His son Jesus Christ. We are set apart to be holy and live a holy life.
We are reminded that our role in this world is a sort of dual citizenship – to the country we call home and the home that waits for us. It’s a balancing act that the disciples knew all too well. We are to obey the laws of our government as good guests yet remembering we have limits based on God’s expectation of our adherence to His moral laws and knowledge of the final judgment.
Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles,to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 1 Peter 2:11-12
It may come as a surprise to many Christians in the United States but it isn’t our role to create a “just society.” It is our role to seek justice for those in need in our communities but we can’t right every wrong. We need to be comforted that God is in charge and we can, as individuals and corporately do His good works. But Jesus, time and again, never sought regime change. He sought heart change. He sought obedience by His followers to God’s expectations.
Being a sojourner did not require isolation from surrounding societies. Abraham seems to have understood the need to exercise prudential judgment about how, when and with whom to share common activity. One approach did not fit all cases.
David Van Drunen, Politics After Christendom
So does this mean we shouldn’t try and affect our government’s choices or laws? No, it’s just remembering who we serve first, resolutely. It’s remembering the difference between violently protesting a wrong and speaking out within the framework of how God wants us to act. It’s figuring out where God and the church stands on an issue (ie: abortion) and where something may not be biblical at all (ie: the federal budget). It’s making sure our heart and mind set firmly with God, not the world.
Believe me, I’ve struggled with these issues a lot. I’ve stood on street corners waving my country’s flag and promoting a candidate. I’ve stood up to politicians who have demonstrated a lack of moral character. Neither of which are wrong for a Christian. I vote in every single election. Which is, in a way, expected as a Christian. But as my faith progresses, I’m taking a new view of my place on this big blue planet. When I firmly set King Jesus as my authority, as my hope, as the Lord and Savior not just of my world but of every single human that has existed and will exist, my perspectives change.
As Christians we cannot continue to say we trust God, we know God will judge in the final conflict and still scream in outrage at people who disagree with our political opinion. That message speaks loud and clear to non-believers that we don’t trust God. That we haven’t set Him as our authority. That we have no concern for eternity.
It’s time, fellow sojourners, to pull out our passports and remind ourselves of our future travel plans. To stand resolutely with the one King that will judge everyone for all ungodly acts. He has not appointed us commissioners of that judgment. Yet, we are also not called to be passive in our worldly citizenry — sitting back and watching the world fall around us. He has appointed us as soldiers to exhort others to follow Him before it is too late.
emboldened.net 