Christians and Politics

Edited August 8, 2008:
I decided that I should edit this article to show excerpts from John MacArthur’s articles on “Christians and Politics” to help clarify both what his views and what mine are. Neither John MacArthur nor myself believe that Christians should totally be uninvolved in politics, instead that Christians not lose their focus from Christ and preaching and teaching about Him to focus on politics.

Excerpt from “Christians and Politics” Part 1:

“In less than fifty years’ time, our nation’s political leaders, legislative bodies, and courts have adopted a distinctly anti-Christian attitude and agenda. The country has swept away the Christian worldview and its principles in the name of equal rights, political correctness, tolerance, and strict separation of church and state. Gross immorality–including homosexuality, abortion, pornography, and other evils–has been sanctioned not only by society in general but in effect by the government as well. A portion of our tax dollars are now used to fund programs and government agencies that actively engage in blatant advocacy of various immoral practices.

What are Christians to do about it? Many think this is a political problem that will not be solved without a political strategy…..But is that a proper perspective? I believe not. America’s moral decline is a spiritual problem, not a political one, and its solution is the gospel, not partisan politics.”

He’s right on the mark. This country is declining morally. When has legislation and politicking ever solved moral problems? They don’t. Our country must turn back to Christ for our nation to see revival.

Continuing.
Excerpt from “Christians and Politics” Part 2:

“Evangelical activists in essence are simply preaching a politically conservative version of the old social gospel, emphasizing social and cultural concerns above spiritual ones. That kind of thinking fosters the view that government is either our ally (if it supports our special agenda) or our enemy (if it remains opposed or unresponsive to our voice). The political strategy becomes the focus of everything, as if the spiritual fortunes of God’s people rise or fall depending on who is in office. But the truth is that no human government can ultimately do anything either to advance or to thwart God’s kingdom. And the worst, most despotic worldly government in the end cannot halt the power of the Holy Spirit or the spread of God’s Word.”

To continue this train of thought, think of this: Of the corrupt government of Rome that actively sought out to stamp out the “Christian sect”, by hunting them, torturing them, persecuting them, and killing them, who came out victorious? The church or the Roman government? The church still lives, though I can’t say as much for the Roman government. It was also during this time, under intense persecution, the New Testament cannon was written, miracles were performed, and people came to Christ in droves. The point? Political revival and spiritual revival are 2 separate entities. A “Christian” government is not necessary for God to work in, but what is required is for God to move among the people is for the people to seek after Him. (2 Chronicles 7:14) God refuses to impart His grace and mercy among the proud and stiffnecked. (1 Peter 5:5)

Excerpt from “Christians and Politics” Part 3:

“My point is not that Christians should remain totally uninvolved in politics or civic activities and causes. They ought to express their political beliefs in the voting booth, and it is appropriate to support legitimate measures designed to correct a glaring social or political wrong. Complete noninvolvement would be contrary to what God’s Word says about doing good in society: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10; cf. Titus 3:1-2). It would also display a lack of gratitude for whatever amount of religious freedom the government allows us to enjoy. Furthermore, such pious apathy toward government and politics would reveal a lack of appreciation for the many appropriate legal remedies believers in democracies have for maintaining or improving the civil order. A certain amount of healthy and balanced concern with current trends in government and the community is acceptable, as long as we realize that that interest is not vital to our spiritual growth, our righteous testimony, or the advancement of the kingdom of Christ. Above all, the believer’s political involvement should never displace the priority of preaching and teaching the gospel. There is certainly no prohibition on believers being directly involved in government as civil servants, as some notable examples in the Old and New Testaments illustrate. The issue again is one of priority.“

So you see that neither one of us are advocating political noninvolvement, but that proper focus and priority is maintained. Simply put: the Gospel comes first.

Excerpts from “Christians and Politics” Part 4:

“We can’t protect or expand the cause of Christ by human political and social activism, no matter how great or sincere the efforts. Ours is a spiritual battle waged against worldly ideologies and dogmas arrayed against God, and we achieve victory over them only with the weapon of Scripture. The apostle Paul writes: ‘For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ’ (2 Cor. 10:3-5).”

“God has above all else called the church to bring sinful people to salvation through Jesus Christ. Even as the apostle Paul described his mission to unbelievers, so it is the primary task of all Christians to reach out to the lost “to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me [Christ]” (Acts 26:18; cf. Ex. 19:6; 1 Pet. 2:5, 9). If we do not evangelize the lost and make disciples of new converts, nothing else we do for people–no matter how beneficial it seems–is of any eternal consequence. Whether a person is an atheist or a theist, a criminal or a model citizen, sexually promiscuous and perverse or strictly moral and virtuous, a greedy materialist or a gracious philanthropist–if he does not have a saving relationship to Christ, he is going to hell. It makes no difference if an unsaved person is for or against abortion, a political liberal or a conservative, a prostitute or a police officer, he will spend eternity apart from God unless he repents and believes the gospel.

When the church takes a stance that emphasizes political activism and social moralizing, it always diverts energy and resources away from evangelization. Such an antagonistic position toward the established secular culture invariably leads believers to feel hostile not only to unsaved government leaders with whom they disagree, but also antagonistic toward the unsaved residents of that culture–neighbors and fellow citizens they ought to love, pray for, and share the gospel with. To me it is unthinkable that we become enemies of the very people we seek to win to Christ, our potential brothers and sisters in the Lord.”

“By means of faithful preaching and godly living, believers are to be the conscience of whatever nation they reside in. You can confront the culture not with the political and social activism of man’s wisdom, but with the spiritual power of God’s Word. Using temporal methods to promote legislative and judicial change, and resorting to external efforts of lobbying and intimidation to achieve some sort of “Christian morality” in society is not our calling–and has no eternal value. Only the gospel rescues sinners from sin, death, and hell.”

In a nutshell: The only thing that politics has the power to change is this country’s laws. True change and transformation in the lives of people can only occur through the saving, justifying, and sanctifying power of Christ.

The original articles appear at:
Christians and Politics, Part 1
Christians and Politics, Part 2
Christians and Politics, Part 3
Christians and Politics, Part 4

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One Mediator

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men–the testimony given in its proper time.” 1 Timothy 2:5, 6

There are several implications of this verse:

1. We make our prayers to our Mediator: Christ. We don’t pray to anyone else (including dead saints like Mary) because Christ and Christ alone is our Mediator.
2. Mortal men are not our go-between to God either. We don’t have to go to some priest or preacher to offer up prayers for us.

We’ve already have Christ as our Mediator, the One Who willingly laid down His life for our sins. Not only do other mediators not exist, but if one could choose, no better choice could be made.

So, Catholics, don’t bother running ads in the newspaper praising St. Jude (or anyone else) because if prayers are answered, St. Jude didn’t do it, Christ did.

Evangelicals, stop sending money to preachers (especially TV preachers) in hopes that your “love gifts” or donations to their ministries are going to help your prayers to be answered.

Catholics and evangelicals: Neither will buying that prayer cloth, prayer rug, “holy water”, “holy cake”, nor anything else that anyone is “offering” to you help get your prayers answered.

Christ is our Mediator and it is He Who answers our prayers.

“Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”

Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.” Acts 8:14-24

Are you like Simon? Have you been acting like Simon, thinking that the gifts of God can be purchased? Examine your heart and repent if this describes you. Examine what you’re seeking for and why you seek it. Are you seeking for things that you truly need? Seek God humbly for your requests and needs. He’s a kind and merciful God Who provides for your needs, has mercy on your sins when you’re repentant, and He loves you very much. Don’t be afraid to ask God for the things that are on your heart for yourself.

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A side note on Striving for the Kingdom

A couple of side notes that I wanted to incorporate into my post on Striving for the Kingdom but could not find a place to put without distracting and rabbit trailing from the main point were:

1. Notice that Jesus did not ask for the man to give all of his wealth to His ministry. So the point was not about the man “giving the money and receiving the blessing of God in return” but of submission to the will of God. Think about it: this man let his possessions get in the way of following and possibly becoming another disciple of Christ. He chose his wealth over the chance to follow the Messiah, the Holy One, the most anticipated Person in all of history! How often I wish that I could have had the opportunity to meet Jesus, much less have the opportunity to follow Him, and he chose his money! Talk about a bad choice!
2. Just as Christ didn’t ask the man to give all his wealth to His ministry but to the poor, neither should other true teachers of the gospel.

My article on Striving for the Kingdom was meant to address the continued emphasis I keep seeing coming up in the church on the pursuit of wealth or “blessings”. Another problem that usually accompanies this overemphasis and often outright distortion when it comes to God’s promises: the guilt and/or false promises these “teachers” put on their listeners. Example: “If you’ll just give me $100, then God will bless you with $1,000.” or “God is calling givers right now. I sense that God is calling 50 people to give $10,000 and in return God has a blessing in store for you that you’ll not be able to contain. Pressed down, shaken together, and running over.”

It infuriates me to hear men say “God says” when they know very well in their heart that God has not spoken such words.

Even more disgusting than those who promise wealth are those who promise healing or other divine aid in exchange for money. Charlatans!  Wolves!  It’s time for the church, especially the charismatic believers, to call these false teachers out and denounce them instead of embracing them as they currently are and allowing them to push their poisons onto the flock.

Of such men the Scripture says:

“But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.” (2 Peter 2:1-3) (and that’s just the beginning of what 2 Peter 2 has to say of false teachers; I encourage the interested to read the rest of the chapter)

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Striving for the Kingdom

Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”

“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.”

“Which ones?” the man inquired.

Jesus replied, “ ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”

“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Matthew 19:16-24

From the above passage, here are a couple of points about the man that are worthy of review:

1. The man who approached Jesus by his own words was a devout man who kept the commands of God.
2. Wealth in that day and time (and still by many today) was viewed as the blessing of God and approval from Him on a person’s life.
3. Despite being wealthy and devout, the man still felt like he was lacking something in the sight of God, which is why he approached Jesus, to find out what that something was.

Jesus tells him to sell everything and give it to the poor and to follow Him. Wow. Now that takes some courage. For me this is a reminder not to get too attached to anything in this world but to always have the spirit that says, “it’s yours anyway, God, and I’ll do whatever You want me to do with it.” This isn’t always easy to do, but this is the attitude that God wishes us to have: the attitude of total submission.

“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36, 37

Some people get distracted in the pursuit of “prosperity” and the pursuit of earthly things. It saddens me when I hear those who bear the name “Christian” to forget Christ’s words this way and advocate that God’s will is found in prosperity. It is true that it often does delight God to bless us. But the path of blessing and prosperity is not always the path that He has for us.

“Looking at his disciples, he said:

‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.

But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.” Luke 6:20-26

People who preach prosperity tend to forget and leave out the places in the Bible that say that as followers of Christ we may very well see tough times. As a matter of fact, I would say that true followers of Christ will face difficulty and hardships, some more than others, and it is in these times, when we should cling to our faith, when we should cling to Christ.

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

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True Christianity

There are 3 people groups which we see in the Bible that God really seems to watch over: the alien, the orphan, and the widow.

“The Lord watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.” Psalm 146:9

“A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.” Psalm 68:5

As Christians, God would also call us to do what we can to help those who are widows and fatherless.

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27

Religion that is pure and faultless to God, or to put it in the common vernacular, what God considers to be a true expression of our religion is to help after orphans and widows while they’re going through tough times and to keep oneself free from worldly pollutions.

Know any widows or orphans that need Christ’s love shown to them? Can you think of practical ways that you are able to help them?

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