08/06/2019
Do you get all twisted into knots trying to reconcile, and exercise your faith with today’s world, and political/religious atmosphere? If so I have a suggestion for you; quit trying to live in two worlds, stop trying to serve two masters, and don’t tie your faith to the world’s social, and political expectations. To better understand how we should behave, all we need to do is look to Jesus as our model.
“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 22:20-21 ESV
In the days of Jesus most countries were ruled by the might of one person, or in the case of Rome, a small group. This might be distasteful to you, but if the ruler was Christian, or Muslim, or Buddhist, then so was his country... it provided some sense of stability (even if bad). However, unlike those days, many countries today have some form of democracy, and each member of their populace gets a vote as to who will become their government’s leaders and the subsequent laws. This is good in a great many ways, but this also exposes all people to the rule of a simple majority. For instance, a country based on faithful principles, whose majority has become primarily debase and without the same religious faith as that of the past can be easily turned around by that simple majority’s vote. In countries such as this you don’t need to overthrow the government, war against It, or start a revolution, you simply must increase your political base by outbreeding, immigration, or winning converts from the existing population. I say all of this to make a point... even in a democratic country with a Christian bent, or basis, its heart can irreversibly change in short order, and in fact we are seeing that occurring today in several countries around the world.
So what are we as Christians to do when the tide of politics, or government, changes, and laws are being enacted to remove Christianity from existence? How do we survive in a world ruled by unchristian men and women, and whose laws go against our Christian faith and values? Our choices are rather obvious... we can convert our way of thinking to those of the new majority, we can stand up in might against those who oppress us, we can out breed or immigrate our opposition (thus outvoting them), or we can do as Jesus did... but what was that?
So you think that approaching world politics as Jesus did sounds like it should be the appropriate response, but you just haven’t thought much about what that was? Well, let’s read the summary of a scholarly article prepared by Don Stewart, a prolific biblical author, Christian Apologist, and professor at the conservative Blue Letter Bible Institute, regarding what the Bible says about how Jesus approached government in His life and teaching...
“Although Jesus was the promised Messiah, the one who could rightfully rule over Israel, He refused to become involved in any political issue of his day. We see this in a number of ways. Jesus refused to be made king; He told His disciples not to tell others that He was the Messiah and He also withdrew from confrontation with the religious rulers. In addition, He never incited the people against Rome. All of this was in contrast to false Messiahs. The reason He acted this way has to do with the nature of His kingdom - it was not of this world system.” - Don Stewart (Blue Letter Bible Institute)
Wow... so what does this mean? Am I to withdraw altogether from politics, and any discussion of religion? No... you are simply to place an emphasis on your Christian faith. Jesus said to give unto Caesar what was his, he didn’t say to stage a peaceful sit-in, and refuse to obey Roman law. If you have one vote... cast it. If the ruling regime says go to Bethlehem and be counted, or pay taxes, then go. But when it comes to your faith in God and Jesus Christ... hold it dearly. We haven’t been called to argue religion for Jesus, or to defend our faith against all comers... we are called to pick up our cross and follow Him, and to take His gospel into the world. If we do this then He will know us as individuals, and persons of faith, on judgement day.
You see, Jesus took his ministry to the people, and didn’t employ a strategy of going from synagogue to synagogue trying to change the way the religious elite looked at religion, or who he was, who God was, and the law. Jesus’s primary concern was to reach individual souls, not religious or political institutions. So if this is how we should approach our faith and how it plays out in the Christian view of the world , then the great commission makes sense to us... believe in Jesus, then go into the world, and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to individual souls. Win citizens for Heaven... the Kingdom of God.
If we live our life and approach our faith in this rather straightforward manner we might certainly be martyred, we might be branded heretical by a worldly church, and we might be considered outcasts by what once was our earthly government, or people, but we will also live our lives experiencing the peace and joy that God has promised., and will dine eternally in the house of our Lord forever.
“Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
2 Corinthians 4:1-4 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus Christ, who leads us to the realization of our faith, and into your presence. Thank you Holy Father for helping us to walk through this world telling all who will listen the Gospel of Jesus, and being washed clean of sin as Satan attempts to destroy us, and cover us with his filth and lies. Thank you Mighty God for defending us as we win souls, and for the peace and joy you provide us in the midst of the world’s turmoil and chaos today. We pray for the return of Jesus, and the reestablishment of your kingdom on earth, and we pray for your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God, who sets us apart and calls us His children. Greater are you than he who is in the world; wonderful is your name, and comforting your peace and joy which is poured over us. All glory is yours Father as we serve you only; no princes or principalities, but you alone. Guide us each day, and shield us against all evil and sin in the world, and we will worship you, and open ourselves to abide in Jesus, and to become your abode forevermore.
Rich Forbes
If you wish, you can read Professor Stewart’s full article at: https://www.blueletterbible.org/faq/don_stewart/don_stewart_789.cfm