Christians and politics
What should a Christian do in regard to politics, being a public citizen, voting and talking to people who believe differently than us?
- First of all, remember to pray for our nation. Our nation needs the Lord and we need to be humble and to penitently confess our sins and turn away from our wicked ways. Also let us pray for all of our politicians. All authority on earth has been instituted by God and we have been commanded in the Word to pray for all of our leaders.
- Second, pray that God will give them insights and place around them godly counselors who will guide them in the way of truth and help them to know the wisdom that is from above.
- Third, pray for people who have different views than our own. Pray that we will get to know them, build a relationship with them, hear from them, learn from them and also be able to have spiritual conversations with them.
- Fourth, do not participate in the hateful and divisive ways of man. Do not proclaim that salvation or hope for a country (or its economy or overcoming crime or poverty) somehow rises or falls on one party, one platform, one policy or one politician. Do not fall into the trap of convoluting Christianity with any particular/singular earthly person, party, platform, nation, tribe, tongue, or denomination. God is available to all and is speaking to all and can use all who are surrendered to Him. We know that what we think we hear God saying must agree with the Bible, but no one earthly entity is the hope of man and no single earthly entity has the final say on God, His kingdom, His ways, etc
- Fifth, do not lose your credibility by arguing for the ultimate superiority of one earthly system over another. Learn that all earthly systems may have valid helps and be honest that all earthly systems are incomplete and imperfect.
- Sixth, when you vote, vote for the particular issues that are in alignment with the principles of the Bible and especially the overriding call of God for us to live out holy love
- Seventh, when someone believes differently than you, don’t talk over them, shout them down or talk down to them. Listen to them. Inquire as to why they believe that. Be genuinely curious. Seek to learn something new from them or to acquire a new perspective. Be respectful. Seek to win the relationship NOT the argument. Look for common ground and seek to build a bridge between the person you are talking to and the gospel of Jesus Christ.
- Eighth, remember that people will learn more about how to disagree agreeably by your example of gentleness, kindness, patient listening and genuine care for the other person. Realize that talking about politics is ultimately a tool for evangelism and discipleship and you should not squander such an opportunity by merely reacting or seeking to win the debate.
- Ninth, realize that the Bible has much more to say about government, authority and politics than people realize. Read the Bible, seek to learn much from it and allow the Bible to shape your beliefs instead of only looking to the Bible to defend a political belief or preference you already have.
- Tenth, people will try to use religion and the Bible to bully others into silence and acquiescence. Jesus never did this. He spoke the truth (with gentleness and respect) and He offered grace upon grace, but never did He seek to silence His oppressors, only to lead them to salvation and truth and grace in His name.
Finally, remember that discussions about politics are neverending. Don’t get sucked into conversations that neither glorify God, nor build you up, nor help to bring people to Jesus.
Above all, what matters most is knowing the Lord, walking with Him and in His ways and helping people to come to a knowledge of the the truth that is in Jesus.
I am praying that God will help me and you to show holy love in our conversations, our interactions, and our political activity. I pray that we will see politics as a way a Christian can joyfully, peacefully, graciously and gently talk about God and His Word and actually invite people to find out for themselves the beauty of Christ and His gospel.
Pastor Michael Johnson 