10/07/2020
A presidential election Is rapidly approaching in the United States, and the airways, newspapers, internet, and telephone calls are saturated with ads and news of it. If this much attention were given to our faith, O how wonderful this world would be. We call ourselves citizens of our various countries, when in fact we should consider ourselves to be citizens of Heaven alone.
“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,”
Philippians 3:20 ESV
Hundreds of millions of dollars are being spent to elect a person to the presidency Of the United States, but has anyone stopped to ask themselves why millions upon millions of dollars are spent to obtain a job that only pays $400,000 a year. It is much the same around the world... money, power, and control, they all hang in the balance, and when the ballots are counted we seem surprised when our capitals are filled with career politicians, and we are ruled by big money, and special interests. Jesus is the Son of God, and called the king of the Jews, and yet He showed no interest in ruling the earth...
“Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.”
John 6:15 ESV
So why is it that our Lord Jesus didn’t want any part in politics, and yet we get so worked up over them ourselves? Some say it is because we should oppose certain political parties, or candidates, because they are more sinful than others. A good example being those who agree with abortion. Killing babies is a sin, but although it is condoned by earthly law it is not forced on us. No one makes us abort our children... that travesty is a personal choice, just as much as any sin is. We choose to lie, steal, or do any of the other sins, just as we choose to murder and kill our unborn children. So how did Jesus confront such unrighteous governments, and persons?
“But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. 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 22:18-21 ESV
Jesus didn’t rail against the Romans, even though they mistreated the population, and crucified untold numbers of Jews and other people. He even had a disciple who was a zealot; Simon the zealot. Zealots were sworn enemies of their Roman occupiers, and as such they would kill a Roman without much Forethought. So why would Jesus select such a man such as this to be one of His disciples? Was it because He supported Simon’s fanaticism, or because He was more concerned with transforming this man and saving His soul... in the same way He wanted to save Roman souls?
“Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.””
Luke 3:12-14 ESV
As Christians, politics shouldn’t cause us to fret, and it should only be of passing interest to the church. We are citizens of heaven, and as such we are aliens, strangers, exiles, and foreigners in this world. Listen to these three passages...
“For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding.”
1 Chronicles 29:15 ESV
“These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.”
Hebrews 11:13 ESV
“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.”
1 Peter 2:11-12 ESV
Our becoming entangled in politics is a spiritual trap for Christians, and serves to draw us deep into the world; it ensnares us. Our concern should be for our souls, and the souls of those around us. Regardless of the government we are to remain focused on God. We shouldn’t believe that we are to obey the just rulers alone, but are to endure the unjust as well because they too were placed in power by God, and inevitably serve His purpose.
“Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.”
1 Peter 2:17-19 ESV
So are we worked up over coming elections, or made distraught by those who rule us? Does our anxiety regarding the political ebbs and flows that are governing us cause our faith to grow as we suffer, or does it lead us to give ourselves over to hatred, civil disobedience, and to deny that God placed the just, and unjust over us according to His will?
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
Ephesians 6:12 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for ruling over me, heart, soul, and mind. Thank you for reminding me that I am a foreigner in this world, and subject to the local governors you have placed here as part and parcel to your ultimate will for creation. Help me Lord when I suffer under the unjust, and hear my celebratory praise when I find myself governed by the just. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God whose desire is to transform the unjust, and bless the just. You are merciful Lord, and make your grace available to both the righteous, and unrighteous alike... if they would only believe. Praised be your name Father for separating me unto yourself, and making me to be called holy. You rule with perfect justice Lord, and show us your patience, and mercy as you watch us laying claim to the politics and rulers who govern us, and deny your sovereignty over them. Forgive us Father, and lead us in understanding your will... even when we can only see the bad road ahead that inevitably leads us to the golden streets of heaven. Keep our eyes fixed on your Son Jesus, and wash every sin from us as we trust in you, and love our friends and enemies alike... longing to return home where you will rule us forevermore.
“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?”
Matthew 5:44-46 ESV
Rich Forbes