Does a Christian citizen of America have any responsibility, obligation, or duty he owes, to his country? Should we be involved in political things? Is it right, or wrong, or neutral, for Christians to run for office…to campaign for someone else who is running for office…to oppose someone who is running for office, or is already IN office…to go door-to-door and try to get signatures on petitions to the government…to try to get certain things passed into law…or certain things taken out of existing law?
This is not just a rhetorical question. This is a real and a very serious question. I am a co-founder of the Starkville Tea Party. Many of us in Starkville, as are millions in the Tea Party Movement throughout America, are deeply concerned for the safety and for the future of the United States of America. We look at Washington and see that our government, from the very highest office to the lowest staff member of over 70 of our Congressmen, of our Judges, and of much of the bureaucracy, has been thoroughly infiltrated and taken over by liberals, leftists, socialists, and outright-and-freely-admitted enemies of America. We see that these people actually constitute a majority in 2 Branches of our government and a near majority in the 3rd Branch. We see these people repeatedly ignoring the will of the people, we see these people changing things to be done in ways America has never done them – and which our Constitution actually forbids them to do – and seemingly getting away with it all. We see these people doing deliberate damage to America and we are genuinely fearful that these people may succeed in their generation’s-old goal of destroying us as a free nation. Do you see these things too? We are afraid that this may be the last generation that sees a truly free America.
Millions of us have risen up to stop these people and this destruction. In a spontaneous – and I think miraculous – grassroots uprising, millions of REAL Americans have organized patriotic organizations, marched on Washington and other major cities, and have worked to get out the vote for new non-establishment, non-incumbent candidates – to vote these domestic enemies of the state out of office and to replace them with REAL Americans and America-loving candidates.
We are doing what we can, and are always looking for new people to join us and help us in our effort to save our nation. And as we look, everywhere we go, we see a lot of people who, it seems to us, SHOULD be just as concerned and involved as we are, and who would be a lot of help in our effort, but who DECLINE to get involved. Most of the people we think would be natural and effective co-workers and allies in our effort, and who it seems to us would be happy to join us in our effort, but who HAVEN’T joined us, or some other concerned-citizen group – at least yet – are Christians.
You might be surprised to hear a list of “reasons” many Christians give to maintain that they basically don’t have any important DUTY that they are responsible to render to their country. These Christians take the attitude that God has given them the kind of country they have to live in, that regardless of what certain people say, its not that bad – for them at least — and as Christians they are pretty content with that and just go about their busy private lives Many Christians think that, if they vote, they are meeting their basic, reasonable duty as a citizen and that the rest of the needs of the nation can just take care of themselves – it will all work out OK in the end…it always somehow does…
I would like to go through as many of the reasons these Christians give to not be involved in the affairs of their nation, as I can. Many of the reasons I discuss are listed by Gary DeMar in his article, “Myths, Lies, and Half-Truths”. I want to offer what I think are proper Christian responses to these “reasons.” There is much more that can be said to each of these “reasons”, I only say enough to make the point that these reasons are not reasonable and should not influence our lives and the works we do in it .
Many of these reasons are very similar, variations on a common theme, so there is overlap in my responses to them. So, a response to one reason will serve as a partial response to other reasons. In order to not repeat myself, I will leave it to you to apply one response to another reason when appropriate and I will only try to give the different responses to those reasons that are different enough to warrant cases, the only thing that need be addressed is the way a similar reason is different from the others.
What follows does not address issues like, “I don’t have time to get involved.” or “I don’t know WHERE to start.”, or “I don’t know HOW to get involved.” At least the people who say these things indicate they would TRY to get involved if they could. I want to address the reasons some Christians give for not even TRYING.
This first one sounds like what a Pastor might say…
1. A. “My Christian ministry emphasis is directed to church activities not political activities.”
Consider these facts about America…
America has the most:
Christians in the world
Bibles printed and distributed in the world.
Churches in the world
Radio and TV ministries and messages going out into the world
Missionaries sent out into the world
Christian schools and Bible colleges and seminaries in the world
Charitable contributions to needy people in the world
Free people in the world
Religious freedom that has ever existed at any time or place in the whole history of the world.
Is not all this worth protecting and preserving and getting involved in politics to see that its protection and preservation happens? And who best to provide the necessary protection and preservation than Christians who support what these Christian people and institutions believe and teach? If I said nothing else, this alone should answer the question we are considering today. But since it is still early, lets keep going.
Consider the world outside of America. There are, of course, many other free people and many other Christians and Christian ministries in many other places in the world. But the people in these other places are not capable of defending themselves against a powerful aggressor should they be attacked. And depending upon what part of the world we are talking about, many of these are being attacked today – and they are suffering terribly and are taking terrible losses from these – mostly Moslem – aggressors. Those free people that exist in the world are free because America saved them from Germany, Japan, and Communism in WW I and WW II. And our very presence in the world now gives these other people an umbrella of protection that shields them today. (Not that we use our umbrella effectively in many cases, but at least our mere existence and the possibility that we might intervene discourages a lot of the attempts that would be made if aggressor nations or parties didn’t fear our military strength if we decided to use it.) If America falls, these other free people, and these Christians will quickly be overtaken by communism, Islam, and other pagan forces. That too makes it worth protecting and preserving America, doesn’t it?
Like many people have stated, America is the last, great, only HUMAN hope for the world. I think this fact gives all Americans – but especially, CHRISTIAN Americans — an obligation to preserve this nation for the world. If America falls, all of these people in other places will quickly go into tyranny, with the death, starvation, and oppression that tyranny always brings. We are told to feed the hungry, minister to the sick, care for the widows and orphans. With our Christian charity outreaches, America is meeting – at least some of – these needs. So, considering all of these things, working to defend and preserve America IS a Christian work and ministry, is it not?
But let’s get back and think only about America and just ourselves for awhile. 1Tm:5:8 tells us, “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”
If America falls, our own families and loved ones, like those in every nation that has fallen, will suffer greatly – if they even survive. We all understand that if we are “worse than an infidel”, we are living way below the standard and expectation of a Christian, right? So, God is telling us then, that if we do not preserve our nation, and thereby provide for the long-term welfare of our families, we are living and working way below what He expects of us. So this too, I think, settles the question and informs us that a Christian does indeed have a duty to render to America.
Do the Pastors that won’t get involved in protecting America really think that they will be able to keep their churches if America falls? Why would THEY be allowed to keep their churches when the Pastors in other fallen nations were not able to keep THEIR churches and Christian ministries? Just look at the legal and political pressures liberals, Secularists, leftists and other Atheists in America are putting on Christians right now to deny us more and more of our Constitutionally -guaranteed religious liberties. If the domestic enemies in our midst get their way, we will lose all our Christian liberties at their hands alone. That is what is happening NOW, with NO outside enemies openly threatening us. But if an outside enemy joins forces with our internal enemies and they defeat America, do these Pastors not realize it will get WORSE for them – and for all of us – than it is now? Or do they even think about it?
Another thing you might hear a Pastor say (I have heard one or more say things to this affect) is,
1. B. Just preach the gospel.
I want to ask those who say this, “Where does the Bible say, ‘Just preach the gospel’? I know 11 verses say, “preach the gospel,”*1 but none of these say “preach ONLY the gospel” which must be said at least once, for this claim to be true. There is NO such verse – I know because I did a word search with my Bible software. But there ARE 18 verses that directly tell us to preach and teach MORE than just the gospel.*2 And many other verses tell us indirectly to teach more than the gospel. For example, II Timothy 3: 16 & 17 tell us “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
“All good works” means there is more than “one” good work. If there were only one good work, those who say we should “only preach the gospel”, must think that is the one good work we are supposed to be doing. But since this verse clearly is informing us that there are more good works than just that one, then preaching the gospel is not the only thing we are supposed to be doing.
Mk:16:15: And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
*1 Lk:4:18: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Acts:16:10: And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
Rom:1:15: So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
Rom:10:15: And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Rom:15:20: Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation:
1Cor:1:17: For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
1Cor:9:14: Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
1Cor:9:16: For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
1Cor:9:18: What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
2Cor:10:16: To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s line of things made ready to our hand.
*2 Acts:16:6: Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
2Tm:4:2: Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Mt:9:35: And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
Mt:22:16: And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.
Mk:6:34: And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.
Mk:12:14: And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?
Jn:14:26: But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Acts:15:35: Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
Acts:18:11: And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
Acts:28:31: Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
Rom:2:21: Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
1Cor:2:13: Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
Gal:6:6: Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
Col:3:16: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
1Tm:4:11: These things command and teach.
1Tm:6:2: And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
Ti:2:3: The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
Ti:2:4: That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
Another thing you might hear a Pastor say (I have heard one or more say things to this affect, also.) is,
1. C. “The Bible is Only Concerned with Salvation” so that is all I should be concerned with.
I want to say to these people, “That is downright FALSE!. The Bible is concerned with many other things. If It is concerned with only salvation, why does It talk about so many other subjects? Creation, farming, families, money, kings, taxes, contracts, property, work, play, history, economics, science, war, peace, morality, prophecy and many others. And many — if not all – of these other things are things that governments – or politics – has to decide about in managing a country.
Some of the Christians who say “the Bible is only concerned with salvation” probably think that this sermon I am giving now is “improper”. They probably think that I should not be talking about politics in church! But, with all the Scripture I shall be giving that speak directly about politics, how can it be “improper” to say these things in church? These verses are all things God wrote to us on a subject (“politics”) HE brought up, and are therefore things that He wants taught to His people and therefore surely wants His Pastors and Teachers to present them to His people when 2 or more of them come together under their tutelage
And one more thing about the Christians who give these reasons for their un-involvement in the political safety and health of their own country…I always wanted to ask people who give these reasons: “Where did you get your information?…If this is a Christian conclusion you have come to, what verses did you use to reach that conclusion?”
I don’t want to sound ugly or sarcastic here today – I really don’t. I am trying hard to not sound like that. These are my spiritual brothers and sisters and I want to treat them with respect. I have more in common with these Christians than I do with other groups of people in this nation, so I certainly do not want to alienate them. But we in America are in big trouble…the situation is urgent…and we have to tell the truth and remove thereby, if we can, and as quickly as we can, obstacles these Christians have put in the way that interfere with all of us getting on with the job of saving our country.
I want to tell these Christians that have their reasons and their verses to claim that they don’t need to be involved in the affairs of their country, “I use verses to draw conclusions too. And I have heard the verses you use. I know enough Scripture myself to know you are misusing… twisting… the verses you give, to make them APPEAR to say what they do NOT say.” I want to tell them that the total counsel of Scripture on this subject, is that Christianity and politics DO mix – and that if Christianity is NOT involved in the politics, the politics will not be done properly but will be corrupt and abusive. (And sometimes I want to tell them that I think all their pious-sounding Bible-quoting talk is just a bunch of excuses to justify laziness, selfishness, and perhaps even cowardice.)
You know, when you hear some of the reasons these Christians give, you could think they are deeply committed students of the Word. They SOUND like they know their Bible well. And their reasons sometimes sound so “deep” and “pious.” A person listening to them could think these Christians must be living at some very high spiritual level way above the rest of us who are so naive as to think we should be busy trying to save America… Like they are above all that “works of the flesh” stuff. And I admit that, maybe they ARE living way above me at some most-personal-and-private spiritual level. I am not going to challenge their Christianity or their walk with God. That is not for me to judge. And I won’t use your invitation to me to bad-mouth them.
But, in honesty, I have to say that I am confused. If these Christians are walking so close to God, why does it seem there is a disconnect somewhere? I don’t understand how these Christians can be walking so closely with God and not see and hear what the rest of us can clearly see and hear that His Word is telling all of us. And I don’t understand how these Christians cannot hear that “still small voice” that surely is speaking to them, like It is speaking to the rest of us, to be the “salt” and the “light” and the “good stewards” of the nation God has given them, and the rest of us, to live in?
But let’s go on. Let’s consider now “reasons” many “lay” Christians give for not being involved in their nation. This next batch is a very similar collection of reasons such as:
2. “Politics is not Christian so I should stay out of it.”
“Religion and Politics Do Not Mix”.
“Politics is dirty.” I should not get involved in it lest I get soiled with the things of the world.
Bad laws are inevitable. We cannot expect the lost to do things our way. Making the nation have laws that are based on what we believe amounts to “pushing our religion on them.”
2. A. The politics that God describes in Romans 13 and I Peter 2 is not dirty.
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.
2: Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3: For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5: Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
It is clear from these verses that the government – the politics – God intends for each nation is be a good one…a blessing to the citizens who live under its care. It once was like that in America. And if, and when, we once again live in such a nation again, it will be our CHRISTIAN duty – to support the good rulers who are a terror to evil people and the evil things they do in, and to, our nation.
I Peter 2:
13: Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
4: Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
Here again, we see that governments are supposed to be good and do good.
35% of Americans are Christians and another 50% of Americans want things done the traditional Christian ways We in America have the blessing of being able to help determine what the “ordinances” – the “laws” — we live under are. And being in the majority, we Christians and Christian-oriented people SHOULD get our way every time. And we WOULD get our way every time, if we only got involved like we should – if there weren’t so many of us that say they don’t need get involved and so don’t even show up to vote.
Proverbs 14:12 & 16:25 both say the very same thing: “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. “
What these verse are telling us it, the way of the lost tends to be WRONG. So, if we leave the law-and-policy-making decisions to these people there is likely to be a lot of bad law and bad policy set. These people need our Christian input – our involvement in the political process. If we abandon that involvement, it is our fault if we are afflicted with oppressive laws – what could we reasonably have expected?
2. B. If “religion and politics do not mix” why does I Timothy 2:1-3 say,
1: 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.
3: For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
If God says these political things are good and acceptable to Him, they are things Christians should be involved in..
And if “Religion and Politics Do Not Mix” why does Matthew 22: 21-25 tell Christians to obey the political leaders of the nation in which they live?
Mt:22:21: They say unto him (Jesus), Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.
Mk: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.
Lk:20:25: And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s.
Jesus Christ, the Founder/Leader of the religion of Christianity just told us THREE TIMES here to render unto the political leader, Caesar, the things in our lives that belong to him. Since HE told us this, obviously Religion and Politics DO mix.
And I want to ask the Christians who say “politics is dirty”, “Have you considered what you are calling George Washington, and the 57 men who wrote and signed our Declaration of Independence and committed their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to support the Declaration? “Have you considered what you are calling all the others who fought in the War for Independence against England and won for us our freedom? These men were putting their WHOLE LIVES into ‘Politics’” They didn’t think it was too dirty for them to get involved in. (“Messy” yes, but not “dirty”.) Some may reply, “Well, OK, politics maybe wasn’t dirty back THEN, but it is now.” And I would reply, “But that is only because people after them LET it get dirty, isn’t it? And now that it is dirty, we criticize and condemn the institution, instead of the people who failed to keep it clean and honorable?! Rather than criticize and condemn, shouldn’t we get busy and clean it up – NOT abandon it?
Sure there is danger here of being overtaken, soiled, contaminated, as an individual, if we get involved in politics But, if we are in God’s will and labor according to His way, it is not a given that we will be overcome. But it is certain we will ALL be overcome if none of us step up and take the stand that must be taken against the enemy.
And speaking of “dirty” James1:27 “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”
“Undefiled” is another word for “NOT dirty.” Therefore God is directly opposing this claim that “politics is dirty” and is telling us here that it is NOT dirty to get involved in the political cause of supporting, visiting, and helping in any way possible, orphans and widows.
2. C. Bad laws are inevitable. We cannot expect the lost to do things our way. Making the nation have laws that are based on what we believe amounts to “pushing our religion on them.”
Well…, Yes … and No…
Yes, we CAN expect the lost to do good things. Even the lost have God’s law written on their hearts and they know the basics of what is right and wrong, good and bad and what the laws they write should say. You have to go to a modern public school or state university to have this inner knowledge taught OUT of you before you no longer know what is right.
But, NO, today, there are many of these highly educated people who no longer admit they know what is right. And many of these miseducated, misinformed people are in politics trying to get bad things become law and be legalized. And of course we cannot expect these lost people to do things in a Christian way.
But, in the American system – in which we all have a voice in the way things are done — the fact that non-Christians are in government does not excuse us from being involved in the decision-making process as to what laws are made – and that we will all have to obey from now on. In fact, it makes it even more urgent that Christians DO get involved.
But, if making laws that reflect Christianity is “pushing our religion on THEM”, what is making laws that reflect Atheism and Secularism doing to US? It is them pushing their religion on US, is it not? The fact is, ALL law is an expression of one religion or another. (For example, Christian laws protect the unborn from being murdered. Atheistic/Secular laws allow and encourage murdering the unborn.) So, rather than argue about who is “pushing whose religion on who”, let’s just concentrate on making the best laws we can for all of us. When we do that, we will find that it is the Christian religion that produces the best law for all.
If a law is going to reflect a religion, should it not then be the Christian religion that has only the good of people in mind?
There are several reasons that are variations of the “don’t be of the world” theme.
3. “The World is Unimportant” so we should not get all involved in it.
“Involvement in the World is Not ‘Spiritual.’” Even though it may be “good” to get involved in certain worldly things, I should choose to put my effort into the “better” things.
“God’s Kingdom is Not ‘Of This World’” so we are not called to try to advance what is in the world. Besides, He will bring in the Kingdom, not us. So stop trying to do what only He can do.
“We’re Living in the ‘Last Days’”… Reasonable people do not “polish brass” on a sinking ship.
These sound pretty “spiritual” and impressive – don’t they?
3. A. I want to ask those who say “the world is not important”, “The Bible says in John 3:16 that ‘… God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son to save it.’ If HE says it is important, who are we to say it is not important?… And if it was important enough for Christ to come to Earth 2,000 years ago, when did it lose its importance?”
In Matthew 28: 18-20 Jesus told the Disciples to go and teach all nations…teach them to observe all things he had commanded them.
18: And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Go unto all the world and preach the gospel.
Why is the gospel to be preached , if it is not expected that it will be believed…and if believed, then applied in the lives of the believer which will impact all of the culture?
“And make disciples” = persuade, convince, convert sinners to become believers, followers of Christ. To “make disciples” means to take captive every philosophy those disciples hold.
II Cor. 10:5 “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”
“All” the world and” every thought” means including the “political” thoughts and parts of the world…and the “sports” thoughts and parts of the world…and the entertainment”thoughts and parts of the world, the educational thoughts and parts , the military thoughts and parts , the economics thoughts and parts …every thought and part.
3. B. Acts 17:26 tells us, “And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;”
We learn from this, and other verses, that God made the world to have separate nations. He did not intend for there to be only one big nation, with a one-world government. And each nation must have a government to oversee the things a nation must do.
It was in God’s Plan for the world for the USA to exist and to be the most Christian nation and government the world has ever seen. Since God wanted America, then it is the duty of Americans – especially CHRISTIAN Americans – to be good stewards of America and uphold this nation in prayer and action so that this nation can do the CHRISTIAN work God brought it into the world to do.
3. C. To those who say, “Involvement in the World is Not ‘Spiritual.’” I want to reply to them that EVERYTHING is“spiritual”.
Bring everything under the authority of Christ. If everything is under Christ, the everything is – by definition – spiritual, and good, for Christ would not be over it if it was not good.
Remember when I listed the Christian things that America has more of than any other nation in the world? How did America GET those Christian things? It is obvious that America got these things because Christians got involved in their part of the nation and brought these churches, schools, publishing companies and other things into existence, is it not? And don’t most of those Christian founders say that God called them to raise those ministries and institutions up? So, clearly God knows these things in the world are spiritual – why don’t His people know it?
I want to ask those who give this reason: “But even if something is NOT spiritual, what verse can you give me that says Christians are not to be involved in non-spiritual things? We get involved in our children’s sports, their school projects, our jobs, we buy and sell, we drive… Since these are not spiritual, are you saying we should stop doing them? But if you say ‘these things have a spiritual component to them that makes them proper for us to be involved in’, then if you can see that, why do you not see the spiritual component in politics and get involved in it in behalf of our country?”
3. D. “God’s Kingdom is Not ‘Of This World’” so we are not called to try to advance what is in the world. Besides, He will bring in the Kingdom, not us. So stop trying.
This is a “straw man” misrepresentation of what we are trying to do. In trying to save America, we are not trying to bring in the Kingdom. We are just trying to be the salt, and light, and the good stewards God tells we are supposed to be.
Trying to do right is not wrong. We are just trying to save the best, and most helpful, nation in the world. Since when is that something we are not supposed to do?
We ARE called to advance the good in the world. That is why we were given the “:Great Commission” to go unto all the world and preach the gospel and make disciples (obedient believers in Christ) of men.
Matthew 28:
18: And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
“Observe” = “Do”, “practice”, “obey”, “work into all aspects of your life’.
But even if we were NOT called to try to advance what is in the world, that does not mean we are not responsible to do good works IN the world
3. E. “We’re Living in the ‘Last Days’”… Reasonable people do not “polish brass” on a sinking ship.
Probably we are in the last days, but we do not know for sure that we are in the last days.
But even if we are, that does not absolve us of responsibility to be the salt and light of the world. We should never stop trying to do good works.
Several reasons are variations on Law and legalities, such as…
4. “You Cannot Legislate Morality” so don’t bother trying to pass good laws.
“There is a Separation Between Church and State” so, as Christian, I cannot be involved.
“It’s Never Right to Resist legally constituted Authority”
Christians are supposed to remain neutral on political matters –don’t get involved.
4. A. To those who say “you cannot legislate morality”, (so why even try to pass good laws is the implication), I would like to say to them, “Every law legislates morality. We have laws against murder, because we as a society believe it is wrong to take the life of an innocent person (unless they happen to be unborn or disabled). We cannot prove it is wrong to murder, we just believe it – mostly on the basis of the Judeo/Christian commandement “Thou shalt not murder”. And so it is for all laws, whether they be about drug use, marriage, lying, or even the speed we allow vehicles to travel on public roads.
It is true that you cannot legislate morality – in the sense that you cannot get them to believe in a particular morality. But that is not the goal of law. The law is to regulate behavior. As long a the person OBEYS the law, as long as his behavior is in accordance to the law, the law and its law enforcers, are “happy”.
But how can these people see laws passed that legalized the killing of millions of innocent babies and disabled people like Terry Shiavo starved to death – in a HOSPITAL of all places – and say “God is not interested in these and so Christians need not be concerned with them either”?
4. B. To those who say “There is a Separation Between Church and State so, as a Christian, I cannot be involved.” I would say, “That is FALSE! There is NOT and never WAS “separation of Church and State” in America.
If separation of church and state were true, George Washington and all the other founders of our nation could not not have been Presidents, Congressmen and served other functions USN the government.
The popular belief that there IS separation of Church and State is a result of the “dirty” people we let take over politics.
But even if there WERE “separation of church and state”, that would not excuse us from serving God. Who tells us to not be conformed, or yield to the world and do things its way (Romans 12:2). God’s Law is always to be understood as above American law and we should STILL be involved.
4.C. To those who say “It’s Never Right to Resist Legally-Constituted Authority”
A variation of this claim is, “The Bible says God puts people in office so to resist whoever God puts in place is to resist God’s choice.”
It is always right to resist authority when it is wrong and/or evil.
It is never wrong to do right.
Civil Disobedience – Moses, Daniel, Elijah, and others resisted, and outright disobeyed, the civil authority – and God put those people in office too.
John the Baptist resisted Herod:
Mt:14:4: For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.
Mk:6:18: For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife.
And Jesus resisted Herod:
Luke 13:
31: The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee.
32: And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.
We see in this passage that Christ verbally resisted Herod. Christ refused to refer to him in respect and honor – because he did not use his office respectfully and honorably. In calling Herod a “fox”, Christ was not reduced to “name-calling”. Like it is not “slander” if something said is true, it is also not name-calling if the analogy being used is true.
* Acts 17:
5: But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
6: And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;
7: Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.
Daniel 2:
20: Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:
21: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
God puts certain people in office as judgement against the citizens of a nation that have disobeyed Him and not repented, and He puts certain people in office to bless the citizens of a nation that have been obedient, or are repentant, to Him. Those placed in office to judge are to chastise the disobedient citizens until they learn their lesson after which they are to repent and He finally place good rulers over them. Those good rulers whom He puts in office to bless are to be supported in gratitude by those they are there to bless.
4. D. Christians are supposed to remain neutral on political matters –don’t get involved.
Since when?!!! Christians should NEVER be neutral about sin.
The Bible tells us that we are supposed to be “Salt”. “light”, “stewards”, and to “occupy”, “stand”, and “hold fast” to Christian principles in whatever culture we are in. How can a person be these and at the same time be “neutral” to the non-Christian and anti-Christian things going on in our nation?
1Cor:4:2: Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
It is “required” that we be faithful. We have not been obedient to that requirement.
Lk:19:13: And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
“Occupy” – in this parable of the obedience required of Christians means we are told to gain and hold beneficent control over the culture and society we are in. For Americans this mean occupy the politics and every other part of America.
Rv:2:25: But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
“Hold fast” – in this parable of the obedience required of Christians
Mt:5:13: Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Mt:5:14: Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Like a city that “cannot be hid” when it is lit up at night, we are not supposed to be hard to see and to find in the culture and in the world. We are supposed to be involved in our government – in politics.
Mt:5:15: Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Mt:5:16: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
“ glorify your Father which is in heaven.“ = People are supposed to be thankful they live in a Christian nation.
When we have been the salt and light and stewards, and have stood fast and occupied the centers of influence in our nation – like our forefathers did when our nation was young, we will have produced a Christian nation that will be the envy or the jealousy of the world and they will say to us, and of us, what they said to Israel when she was obedient to God:
Deuteronomy 4:
5: Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.
6: Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.
7: For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for?
8: And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?
This is what the nations said about Israel, and this is what the nations have said about America. And if Christians would get back into action in America, we would have righteous laws in America again.
Several of their reasons are variations on the social aspects of politics Christians give such as:
5. “Jesus was our example. He Was Not a Social Reformer so we should not try to be social reformers.”
“The Church Should Not be Involved in ‘Political’ or ‘Social’ Issues”
Politics have no bearing on eternity – so why should I get side-tracked with it…I should concentrate on things of eternal significance.
“The Christian’s Citizenship is in Heaven” and I should concentrate on being a good citizen there.
“God’s Kingdom has Not Come” I will not waste my time trying to make the world a better place.
5.A. Yes, Jesus IS our example. But, no, Jesus WAS a social reformer. He reformed indirectly by converting and teaching the Disciples and Apostles who then applied His teachings and “turned the world upside down”*. He sent them out to preach the gospel and when the people they went to believed and received the gospel, they put the Bible’s teachings to work wherever they were and in whatever positions they worked in in the society. So Jesus was a social reformer by indirect action..
This is the way it has always been. For example, all the Revivals that have ever happened in America and Europe resulted in social reformation and transformation. As people got saved, became new creations, and turned from their wicked ways, they stopped practicing sin, and the stores and programs that encouraged those sins went out of business for lack of customers. Other Christians like Calvin wrote books that transformed the political world. Economists like Adam Smith transformed the Economic world. Politicians like Wilberforce got involved in the British Parliament and got rid of slavery in England. Others did the same in America. And they all did these things in the name of Christ or Christianity.
5. B. “The Church Should Not be Involved in ‘Political’ or ‘Social’ Issues”
I want to ask these Christians, “What verse are you using that informs you that “the church should not be involved in ‘social issues”?” I want to tell them “Everything is a “social issue’” Individual churches and individual church members from the very start of Christianity distinguished themselves by their compassion for the suffering by rescuing abandoned babies, founding orphanages, hospitals, schools, – and eventually the USA.
5. C. Politics have no bearing on eternity – so why should I get side-tracked with it…I should concentrate on things of eternal significance.
How could anyone who claims to know the Bible say such a thing? Our works DO have a bearing on eternity. That is what rewards in Heaven and punishment in Hell is all about.
I Corinthians 3:
13: Every man’s work (including our political works) shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
14: If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
And that reward shall last for eternity. Of course the political things we do will have eternal significance – for reward in Heaven OR for punishment in Hell.
15: If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
5. D. “The Christian’s Citizenship is in Heaven” and I should concentrate on being a good citizen there.
Heb:11:16: But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Yes, of course we look forward to Heaven. But as long as we are in the world we have “dual” citizenship.
We are not in Heaven yet. Until we are up THERE we are supposed to be busy down HERE– in the world we ARE in.
We have a job to do here – in THIS world, NOW – and need to be busy about His work.
5. E. “God’s Kingdom has Not Come” I will not waste my time trying to make the world a better place.
That is correct, “God’s kingdom has not come” yet. God’s Kingdom had not come when the Disciples and Apostles and early church served God either. But it was not a “waste” of their time then nor is it a waste of our time to be busy about our Savior’s work Not being in the Kingdom now does not excuse us from being the salt and light in THIS kingdom we are called to be.
Also, when God’s Kingdom does come, or the first part of it (the Rapture), we should be found busy about His work – not standing at the sidelines just waiting for him to take us out.
In conclusion, it seems to me that these “reasons” Christians give for not being the stewards of their country they are called to be, for not being the salt and light in the nation they are called to be, does two very unhelpful things:
1. It takes people who should be part of the solution out of the effort – and discourages a lot of us Christians who have to take up the slack they leave.
2. It gives “Christians” and “Christianity” a bad name and motivates non-Christians, who see through the false piety nonsense they spout, to NOT become one of us.
Thank you.