Campaigning for the Cross: A Strangers Guide to Politics
Good stewardship of our government is important, but there's more on the line and understanding this priority might make the eternal difference for more people than you think.
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Hebrews 11:13
Political tensions continue to get tighter and tighter. I myself can be very passionate about some things and other things I’m not. Sometimes I have a little fun at the expense of political personalities and elected officials. On other issues I feel like I’m ready to go to war. And no one is in complete alignment with me from one issue to the next and over the years, that dynamic has caused me to lose some friends and gain others. Thomas Jefferson once wrote that he believed he lost a friend for every day he was in office. It’s too bad, but that’s really just how relationships tend to go for those who are politically engaged.
It’s important to be engaged politically because government is a very special and important institution that was established and ordained by God himself. We need to be good stewards of the government God has given us. Our system of government in particular allows us to be as good a steward as we want to be.
Can I encourage you to a particular thought? Do your very best to not break friendships or friendly acquaintances over politics. Our citizenship for the Kingdom has a higher priority than our citizenship of this world. The Bible tells us to as much as lieth in us, to live peaceably with all men - since we are among them, we have a duty to be the light and that usually involves being somewhat approachable.
Whatever you say to your political opposition, say it in a way that makes them come to the conclusion that they can talk to you about anything, even if there’s a strong disagreement. You can’t control how they respond to you but you can control how you respond to them.
Here are some verses to think about:
Let your speech [be] alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
Colossians 4:6 (KJV)If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Romans 12:18 (KJV)
Why do these verses matter? Well, because for starters, there’s a lot more on the line than a political election that’s only going to be recorded in a history book and slowly forgotten about over time.
There’s another election that’s recorded in the book of life. Everyone is already registered and it’s the most important vote anybody will ever cast: whether or not they’re going to live a life that’s for or against Jesus. And you, my Christian friend, are the grass roots. You are the one organizing events for the candidate. You are the one who has to win people over because if you don’t do it, then who will? And how will they be informed before it’s too late?
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Romans 10:14 (KJV)
I’m reminded of this when I think about Hebrews 11:13. The more I study God’s word, the more this world just doesn’t feel right, it makes me long for my eternal home where I won’t have to deal with sin any longer but rather find rest in the arms of Jesus.
And some of the most politically abhorrent people you can imagine, are souls that can be covered by the blood of Jesus. And we need to let them know that they’re free to turn to Christ and travel with us as citizens of a heavenly kingdom.
This World Is Not My Home
(By Albert E. Brumley)
This world is not my home, I’m just a-passing through,
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue;
The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door,
And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.