As a conservative white male, I often feel under attack by the media and pop culture. And so when I read issues on politics, I find myself on the defense and getting very angry. I have to prayerfully remind myself of what I know Biblically about politics.
1. John 17:16 “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” As a born-again believer, I am not of this world. I belong to the Kingdom of Christ, not of the world. And so I should be removed from the issues of the world. We are called aliens and pilgrims in the Scriptures. Aliens in a foreign country do not insert themselves into that nations politics and policies. We let those of this world worry about issues of this world. Our focus is elsewhere, leading me to number 2.
1. John 17:16 “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” As a born-again believer, I am not of this world. I belong to the Kingdom of Christ, not of the world. And so I should be removed from the issues of the world. We are called aliens and pilgrims in the Scriptures. Aliens in a foreign country do not insert themselves into that nations politics and policies. We let those of this world worry about issues of this world. Our focus is elsewhere, leading me to number 2.
2. Matthew 6:33a “ But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness…” I realize I am taking that Scripture out of context, but the idea behind it is that we are to be Heavenly minded. Our focus is to be on Christ and His Kingdom. We should be focused on whatever is pure, whatever is holy, whatever is righteous. Not on worldly matters.
3. Romans 13:1 “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” No one is in power by mistake. They are appointed by God for His purposes. He rules and reigns over the heathen.
4. Mark 12:17 “And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.” Since God appoints rulers, my job is to submit to their authority. No matter their political party, I am to submit (as long as they aren’t requiring me to disobey God). Let God rule them, and I will seek a quiet and peaceable life, out of the eyes of the government.
5. 1st Timothy 2:1-2 “ I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” I am supposed to pray for all those appointed by God as authorities. Why? So that I am left alone to worship God and seek righteousness and Godliness.
6. Hebrews 12:14a “ Follow peace with all men,…” Regardless of someone’s political stance, I am told to seek peace with all. To not get angry and defensive over political issues. To stay focused on the Kingdom, which means that I am to be concerned about people’s souls and eternal life, not temporal issues.
7. 2nd Corinthians 5:18 “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;” As believers, our job is to preach the Gospel. Eternity is at stake. We must plead with men to be reconciled to God before they perish and enter eternity! This means that secondary issues (no matter how moral or good they are), should not be emphasized. Whether social injustice, racism, abortion whatever, they cannot and MUST not supersede the Gospel. While these temporal issues can be very important and emotional, eternity is of greater importance. If a man is saved, God will work in his heart to resolve any conflicting moral issues. If they were racist, they will not be for long. If they were unjust, that too will change. The Gospel must remain paramount and all other issues must take a back seat. This doesn’t mean that we don’t speak of morality and goodness and righteousness, but our message is the Cross, not the elimination of such issues. To reverse the order is to clean the outside of the cup, while ignoring the inside. If the inside get’s clean, the outside will follow.
8. Ephesians 5:11 “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” We are by no means to remain silent in the face of unrighteousness and wickedness. We are to point the finger and expose evil works like racism (ALL forms of it; whether white on black, or black on white) and abortion. But we are not to make them our main cause. The Gospel remains paramount. It is the foundational issue with all men. Once the foundation is fixed, the other issues will follow. So I am not saying that we shouldn’t speak on injustices, but they cannot be the main cross that we carry or the main sound that we trumpet. It is the Gospel!
So, the bottom line is, we are to remove ourselves from the public arena. We are aliens and pilgrims, sent to preach the Gospel to a lost and dying world. God is sovereign over the nations and its rulers, He will do with them as He sees fit. We are to pray for them and submit to their authority and live quiet and peaceable lives, while we seek the lost with the ministry of reconciliation, and speak up in the face of evils, knowing that it is the GOSPEL that changes men, not moral conformity to Biblical ethics. Once saved, Biblical morality will natural follow suit.
In conclusion, my response to politics?
1. Stay out of it.
2. Stay focused on the Gospel.
3. Submit to authorities.
4. Pray for my leaders.
5. Speak out against wickedness.
6. Remember that it is only the Gospel that will change a person.
