Politics- a topic that brings terror to polite dinner party hosts around the world. Why is a discussion of politics so volatile? Why have we allowed it to become such a divisive factor within our country and universal church? What did Jesus say about politics?
Well, first of all, the Bible is very clear that as Christians that make up the church body of Christ, we have an obligation to love one another. The Bible offers no qualifiers such as “Unless they hold differing political opinions from you”
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35 ESV
It seems that in this country we are increasingly glorifying division, forcing individuals to take sides on difficult issues, insinuating there is only one right answer, and if you don’t agree with me, you’re obviously wrong and therefore an evil person. Do you know anyone that has been convicted by a Facebook posting and instantly changed their political party affiliation as a result? I sure don’t. All the name calling, snide comments, and accusations do nothing but to motivate individuals to dig their trench deeper, and to motivate them to throw larger word grenades at the opposing party. It doesn’t seem to be changing the tide, but making the war of words yet more volatile and irrational.
Jesus avoids the topic of politics other than to say that someday He will return to rule (Revelation 19:15), and that we need to obey the leaders put in place by God, trusting that through both “good” and “bad” leaders He will accomplish His perfect will. He calls us to trust Him when we don’t understand or agree. He deftly avoided being drug into the political controversies of the day because they distracted from his mission, which was doing the will of His Father. He was not sent to eradicate or establish political positions. He was sent to deliver the world from it’s sin. Politics are a productive distraction technique of our enemy and are extremely effective at dividing and distracting us from the truth of the Word. God makes it clear, however, that despite your opinion, we are to respect his sovereignty.
“You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people. Exodus 22:28
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.” Romans 13:1-7 ESV
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 ESV
But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. Titus 3:9 ESV
Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. Matthew 22:17-21 ESV
Politics and governments have their place. Without government there would be no order, justice, or national boundaries. However it needs to be put in it’s proper place and not become the birthplace of anger, pride, resentment, and self-righteousness. Jesus seems much more concerned with whether we prioritize God and how we treat others than He does about the outcomes of a political debate.
“And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:28-31 ESV
We dare not let any thing take precedence over putting God first in our life and making every thought captive to His will, not ours. At the end of the age, or the end of your life- whichever comes first, God will be far more concerned with your allegiance to Him than with what political party you have aligned with.
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5
The odds are you will, at multiple times in your life, be put under the authority of someone you disagree with. Presidents will come and go, and you will undoubtedly like some more than others. I believe governing authorities apply not just to governmental authorities, but perhaps church leadership, hierarchies at work, and even parental authority. The Bible doesn’t seem to be saying that we have to agree with everything our authority figures believe, but we do have to respect God’s sovereignty by not attacking or slandering them. Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. I think there is always room for healthy debate and questioning, but it needs to be done in a respectful manner, being mindful that God has allowed this person to be in authority and will use it to advance the kingdom. He doesn’t owe us any explanations. That’s what trust in God is all about, acknowledging that He is in control and resting in the peace that accompanies trust, surrendering the fantasy that we can and should fix everything.
We are blessed to live in a country where we have the freedom to express ideas and are able to vote our consciences, but we need to leave our desire to control at the exit door of the voting booth. You’ve done what you can do by voting, now the job is to trust God to fulfill His will.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV
I am confident that there are loving Christian members in all political parties. I am also confident that Jesus does not have a political party affiliation. As Christians, we should be modeling love to one another to the extent that others looking in marvel at our humility and treatment of one another in the midst of differing opinions, thus pointing the way to a glorious God; and hopefully creating in others a desire to learn more about the mysteries of faith. It doesn’t mean we have to agree on everything, but in order to glorify God, we need to be able to have respectful debates with one another, displaying respect for others by really listening, and seeking unity with all our might. A divided church is no church at all and does nothing to differentiate us from the rest of the world. As Christians, everything we do should stand out as different in order to attract others to the grace of God.
A Peace of Humble Pie 