"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3:20).
Now then, we are ambassador's for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:20-21).
The other week I blogged about the futility of politics. Even the best human political system will fail to set human nature aright. Only Jesus Christ can set humanity aright. But I want to make it clear that this is not an apathetic stance to take. I do not believe in standing idly by while evil prevails. I simply reject politics as the answer to the problem. Politics is not the answer to the problem of fallen humanity's sin and depravity.
At best, even a seemingly good political movement can be nothing more than a temporary and cosmetic treatment for the real ongoing condition sin in human hearts as we draw ever closer to the necessary day of God's judgment. The Great Commission that Jesus Christ gave us, His followers, is the most important work with which we must be busy. That is the Kingdom work that we are assigned to do here and now in this world.
"And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen'" (Matthew 28:18-20).
Evangelism and discipleship: that's where it's at. Kingdom work is not about political campaigns. It's not about protest demonstrations on the steps of some capitol building or courthouse. Nor is it even about voting or legislating. Our King, Jesus Christ has commanded us to evangelize and disciple people in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
It is necessary for God, in due time, to pour out His righteous judgment on all the wicked who refuse to turn away from sin and be reconciled with Him. But in the meantime we must be about our Father's business. We must be doing the work of evangelizing the people of the earth; and like student-teachers, teaching them to be Christ's disciples.
We are to be going around and telling people that they are sinners and that they need Jesus to save them from their sin. We must be teaching people, by word and example, to turn away from sin and turn toward Jesus Christ to practice holiness and righteousness through the power of the Holy Spirit.
We are to be going around and telling people that they are sinners and that they need Jesus to save them from their sin. We must be teaching people, by word and example, to turn away from sin and turn toward Jesus Christ to practice holiness and righteousness through the power of the Holy Spirit.
This is the work of the Church; not the government of any worldly empire, nation, state, or city. This is the work of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. This is our Father's business, about which we must be. This is the responsibility of every believer in His salvation by grace through faith in Him who died for our sin and rose victoriously over death.
Such a very good reminder for all of us! Thx for the post--almost totally agree.
ReplyDeleteThe "almost" is simply because I personally feel we need to vote our conscience, and that we should definitely let our governmental reps know how we feel about various actions, or legislation that impacts us as Christians. "Kingdom work" definitely trumps all of that, i agree. Also, I do not feel that any legislation should be of a religious nature. There is definitely supposed to be a division between Church and State. Therefore, I feel that IF our legislators attempt to enact anything that is contrary to our Rights as citizens, that we should speak up to them as citizens who happen to be Christians...
Thanks again for this well written and touching post !
Thanks for the comment, Dayton. I'm glad that you like this post and almost completely agree with it. The thing of it is though, that separation of Church and State is necessary in this world precisely because this is a broken world, at enmity with God. It is for that very reason that all worldly governments are incapable of bringing human beings into harmony and peace with God.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that God is ultimately in control at all times and all places. And He even causes the events of this world to come together for His glory in the end; just as He used what Joseph's brothers meant for evil to work out for good in the end. So I don't think it is necessarily wrong for us Christians to use our right to vote in accordance with our conscience.
But this is a fallen, broken, evil world. And the righteous can not coexist forever with the wicked. We may think that we are blessed to enjoy dual citizenship in heaven and our earthly nation. But that will not and can not last forever.
The righteous live to adhere to God's standard of right and wrong. The wicked reject God's standard and seek to establish their own, which is the very definition of evil. The wicked do not even value human life the same way that the righteous do. That is why there is abortion, and euthanasia. That is why Hitler, Stalin, and Mao did what they did. That is why the Romans and many others have arrested and executed Christians through out Church history. And before that, the righteous prophets of Israel were also put to death by wicked rulers.
There will be a time when worldly rulers will have no reverence or respect for the voice or the life of the righteous. It's already like that in many parts of the world. It has always been like that in one place or another. And it is already coming to that even in this nation, because that is the natural outcome of rejecting God's standard for a false standard.
Righteousness can triumph only if in the end it triumphs completely, to the utter destruction and obliteration of all wickedness. Otherwise wickedness would just continue to worsen, as it is worsening. And that is why God has appointed a day, known only to Himself, when He will do just that.