Politics and the Gospel
Over the past 12 years, I have been vocal in my support for the candidates that I agreed with. The issues were those of conscience as opposed to economics, and thus my angst was "justified". But upon looking at the scriptures, what does Jesus say about political lobbying and involvement. I go to Matthew 5:13-16 for those answers. The scripture reads;
Matthew 5:13-16
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.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
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.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Now according to that we are called to let our light shine. To make our lives be a reflection on the mercy, the love and the grace that God has shown us. The reason being is that those who knew us before our conversion should see the difference the power of God has made in our lives, that we no longer serve our own needs and that we have dedicated ourselves to something greater then us. But when I look at my involvement, and I only speak for myself here, I don't think that anyone would see a difference in me from the argumentative young man I once was as opposed to the child of grace I am called to be. The expressions on my face were probably sour and angry, the words were not kind and the countenance was contentious.
I believe that the passage above calls me to be the light and salt in every occasion, not just when things are good. I believe that when I speak to others about politics, that rancor doesn't convince, nor do accusations persuade. So what would be the real way to convince people that we are sincere and different and have the answers for a longing world? To live our convictions everyday, not just speak of them every 2-4 years. But unfortunately we as Christians don't look any different then the world we claim we want to change.
This year, we have seen nothing more then attacks on all the candidates. The process is no longer trying to advance thoughts or ideas, but to elect those we think are moral enough, intelligent enough, look good enough. We look at the things we have decided are important, but not the substance of the person. Does Barack Obama not appeal to us because he will take away our money? Does John McCain ruffle our feathers because he is linked to a previous administration? Does Sarah Palin get judged on her merit or her accent and lack of acceptable education? Does Joe Biden get recognized for his attempts to make the country better, or for his verbal mistakes?
As Christians I believe we are called to vote with our conscience, and that doesn't always happen. Do we vote with our wallets? And if we do are we "Rendering unto Caesar that what is Caesars"? If we need to spend more of our personal money to guarantee that those less fortunate are taken care of, isn't that exactly what we are called to do as Christians? Sacrificing our wants for others needs? I think it would be beneficial to keep two thoughts in mind as we move forward, Do we measure our voting practices with scripture, and do we acknowledge that whomever is elected, that the Lord has ordained their rule, just as Saul was ordained in David's time.
To the first point, what does it look like to measure a candidate against scripture? I think the beatitudes are a good reference point.
Matthew 5:3-11
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
If we had a leader that was poor in spirit, mournful, meek, sought righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, a peacemaker then we would return to the position of a city on a hill that President Reagan spoke of. The people of the world would return to looking to us as a refuge, and a sanctuary. If that candidate is present, then your answer is clear, whether they will cut taxes or not. Whether they believe in socialism or free market capitalism. When will money stop being the criteria that our leaders get to appeal to us? You can only serve one master, I choose that to be the Lord, not mammon.Now for me, the tape is very easy to measure with. I can not vote for a pro choice candidate, because I see abortion as murder. So if a Democrat comes on the ticket as a pro lifer and the Republican opponent is pro choice, then I will vote Democrat. This year the choice is clear for me.
But now the second point. If the candidate that I don't vote for is elected, then I have to accept that he is being ordained by God, for whatever purpose, and my job is to respect the authority that is in place over me. Until there is an edict to defy God's law, I am to obey. So I will give my money, and my loyalty to the newest President, whomever they are. Jesus spoke of the difference between what it looks like to act as an unbeliever and as a believer in regards to this.
Matthew 20:25-28
25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
So my brothers and sisters in Christ, I ask you to make the grace that we have been blessed with a daily activity. Show a lost and seeking world what real change is, the change that comes from allowing Christ to atone for your sins, and the Holy Spirit to dwell in you daily, not acting as unbelievers do, whatever the situation or whether in season or out, electoral that is.
Matthew 5:13-16
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.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
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.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Now according to that we are called to let our light shine. To make our lives be a reflection on the mercy, the love and the grace that God has shown us. The reason being is that those who knew us before our conversion should see the difference the power of God has made in our lives, that we no longer serve our own needs and that we have dedicated ourselves to something greater then us. But when I look at my involvement, and I only speak for myself here, I don't think that anyone would see a difference in me from the argumentative young man I once was as opposed to the child of grace I am called to be. The expressions on my face were probably sour and angry, the words were not kind and the countenance was contentious.
I believe that the passage above calls me to be the light and salt in every occasion, not just when things are good. I believe that when I speak to others about politics, that rancor doesn't convince, nor do accusations persuade. So what would be the real way to convince people that we are sincere and different and have the answers for a longing world? To live our convictions everyday, not just speak of them every 2-4 years. But unfortunately we as Christians don't look any different then the world we claim we want to change.
This year, we have seen nothing more then attacks on all the candidates. The process is no longer trying to advance thoughts or ideas, but to elect those we think are moral enough, intelligent enough, look good enough. We look at the things we have decided are important, but not the substance of the person. Does Barack Obama not appeal to us because he will take away our money? Does John McCain ruffle our feathers because he is linked to a previous administration? Does Sarah Palin get judged on her merit or her accent and lack of acceptable education? Does Joe Biden get recognized for his attempts to make the country better, or for his verbal mistakes?
As Christians I believe we are called to vote with our conscience, and that doesn't always happen. Do we vote with our wallets? And if we do are we "Rendering unto Caesar that what is Caesars"? If we need to spend more of our personal money to guarantee that those less fortunate are taken care of, isn't that exactly what we are called to do as Christians? Sacrificing our wants for others needs? I think it would be beneficial to keep two thoughts in mind as we move forward, Do we measure our voting practices with scripture, and do we acknowledge that whomever is elected, that the Lord has ordained their rule, just as Saul was ordained in David's time.
To the first point, what does it look like to measure a candidate against scripture? I think the beatitudes are a good reference point.
Matthew 5:3-11
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
If we had a leader that was poor in spirit, mournful, meek, sought righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, a peacemaker then we would return to the position of a city on a hill that President Reagan spoke of. The people of the world would return to looking to us as a refuge, and a sanctuary. If that candidate is present, then your answer is clear, whether they will cut taxes or not. Whether they believe in socialism or free market capitalism. When will money stop being the criteria that our leaders get to appeal to us? You can only serve one master, I choose that to be the Lord, not mammon.Now for me, the tape is very easy to measure with. I can not vote for a pro choice candidate, because I see abortion as murder. So if a Democrat comes on the ticket as a pro lifer and the Republican opponent is pro choice, then I will vote Democrat. This year the choice is clear for me.
But now the second point. If the candidate that I don't vote for is elected, then I have to accept that he is being ordained by God, for whatever purpose, and my job is to respect the authority that is in place over me. Until there is an edict to defy God's law, I am to obey. So I will give my money, and my loyalty to the newest President, whomever they are. Jesus spoke of the difference between what it looks like to act as an unbeliever and as a believer in regards to this.
Matthew 20:25-28
25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
So my brothers and sisters in Christ, I ask you to make the grace that we have been blessed with a daily activity. Show a lost and seeking world what real change is, the change that comes from allowing Christ to atone for your sins, and the Holy Spirit to dwell in you daily, not acting as unbelievers do, whatever the situation or whether in season or out, electoral that is.
posted by Jerry | 10:43 PM
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