Like many Americans, I am voting today. It is one of those civic duties we all do and I think that, in this life anyway, how we vote makes some difference. I am voting, no shock to anyway, for Republican candidates across the board because I feel that the principles that the GOP allegedly stands on (but often doesn’t govern on) are the best for the largest number of people: smaller government, lower taxes. There is a great deal of excitement among evangelical Christians who are politically conservative because we are expecting a big win for “our side” today.
In voting, I have no illusions that a GOP majority is going to lead to America “turning back to God” (or gods if you are Glenn Beck). I also don’t think that is the point. Yesterday America was a nation of people who by and large are lost and don’t even know it. A nation of people who need to hear the Gospel just like people in France or Tanzania or Thailand. No matter what happens today , that basic truth will still hold true. We will have a different crop of people who need Jesus in office and their policies will be different but their state before God will be the same.
There is a growing and dangerous reliance in the Church on the political process. If we can just overturn Roe v. Wade, if we can just stop gay marriage, if we can just get Nancy Pelosi out as speaker and Barack Obama out as President, then we will have a victory for Christianity. This blurring of the lines between our secular civic duty and our sacred eternal calling is dangerous and counter-productive to the Gospel.
We are not called to transform America, we called to proclaim the transforming message of Jesus Christ.
So I hope you vote today because it makes a difference, however minor, in our day to day lives but no matter the outcome, the greatest need of all people, in America and elsewhere is Jesus Christ and His Gospel is not a political movement. If you put your trust in politicians they will let you down. Put your faith in Jesus Christ and you will never be disappointed.
2 comments:
We are called to do justice and love mercy. Fighting off injustice and mercilessness is all part of proclaiming the gospel. I don't see any need to create a dichotomy. Of course we have no guarantee from God that our efforts will stop the growth of evil, but we are called to try. To insulate ourselves from the growth of evil is to live out a bad proclamation of the gospel no matter how much we verbalize it.
Maybe you had an example in mind, where believers are not saying a word about Christ but are very involved in political and social action; something more specific then a generalized statement.
I dont' want to assume that just because many believers are involved politically means they are not proclaiming the gospel of Christ with words along the way.
I can't believe you left out "get prayer back in schools"...;)
Good thoughts. I agree with brother George Washington on the topic of political parties. I follow these things a fair amount (state/local) but also have come to the conclusion that prayer is necessary for our leaders and for God to change/direct them. Too easy to get caught up in talking to people.
Post a Comment