With the ever changing political climate of our nation, it is difficult to determine where exactly we fit, as Christians. We understand that the world's ideals will not always line up with our own, and yet we still owe it to ourselves to be aware of political happenings in our world.
With the advent of social media, it appears that Christians are more vocal than ever about their beliefs regarding one's place in the politics of the nation. Often, the Christian becomes actively involved in the politics of a particular party or candidate. But, where are we to draw the line of involvement?
My thought would be that maintaining an active knowledge of the issues most relevant to the individual person is the best place to start. From that point, actively seeking candidates that support one's views is another relevant way to engage. Above all, understand that regardless of who is in power, God ultimately has control. This is a key aspect of the Christian's involvement, and one many are quick to forget.
Whether Democrat, Republican, Independent or other, in God's sovereignty, rulers and leaders are placed where they are by the will of God. We may not always see an immediate, direct reason for this. There is a grand orchestration of events for which we will have little knowledge on this side of Heaven. For the Christian and politics, an element that should not be disregarded is that of our trust in God through Christ to bring about the world's redemption, by the means he deems necessary.
1) Relevant Personal Issues
A relevant personal issue would be something in the political realm that has a direct, immediate effect on an individual's way of life. It could be related to an event close to them, or something that actually has a direct effect on them.
For example, I have an active interest in immigration and immigration reform because Juliet is originally from Mexico, and we have had to deal directly with that process. She migrated legally, through all of the paperwork and headache, and is eligible now for citizenship, once we save up the money.
Now, an active interest in immigration means that I want to know what is going on related to the US relationship to Mexico. I have a special place in my heart for my wife's country of origin, and care to see it is fairly treated in governmental dealings.
By that same notion, while I would not directly support illegal immigration, I can certainly understand what drives people to do it. The legal process as it stands now is a mess of paperwork and fees, and had Juliet not already been fully fluent in English and Spanish, it would have been a nightmare of a language barrier as well.
I watched a very interesting documentary on Netflix the other day called, "The Other Side of Immigration," that I would encourage anyone interested in this topic to view. It offers a personal look at the struggles faced by rural Mexico, and the reliance on the ability to migrate to the states for livelihood in many cases.
So, as seen in the example, the Christian can assess what is close to them, and support or oppose those issues.
2) Candidate Support
This area for the Christian is often much more difficult. It is also the primary reason so much discord is sown amongst the church and the world. When Christians oppose another candidate so much that they become hateful, the light of Christ is lost. It is difficult to be salt and light to the world if we are showing hatred of a candidate or ideals.
Now, there are some issues which from a Biblical standpoint it would make sense to support. But, just as in non-essential doctrinal issues we are to have charity with one another, so too we must have charity in how we approach disagreement on a political issue. This past election is a great example of how it is possible to be charitable and weigh the candidates and issues, and how it is also possible to attack others' views in our opposition. The anger displayed by Christians during this election only served to cast us in an even dimmer light. Ironically, there was no "perfect Christian candidate" to be found. Yet, for all the complaining and arguing, you would think Christians were fighting to elect Christ himself on whichever side of the political spectrum they fell.
There is no rule anywhere that says a Christian must vote for the Conservative/Republican candidate, or a Liberal/Democratic candidate. Historically, we see the conservative stance on moral issues often is in line with the Christians' views, but that also is not always the case.
Christians who view a candidate solely on the candidate's religious affiliation also set themselves up for inevitable disappointment. Were a Christian to check the doctrine of both Romney and Obama from last election, and honestly assess what they claimed to believe, one would find neither fit the bill for foundational Biblical Christianity. And, in the political realm, that has to be ok. There is not going to be a Christian candidate in the fullest sense of the term. Each president has had some religious affiliation, but none to my knowledge have ever been inherently, and perfectly in line with Biblical Christianity.
This is where the separation between church and state can be observed. While it is true many of our founding fathers expressed some belief in God, it is also true that a stated belief in God is not the same as a belief in Christianity. Many religions profess a belief in a god, but it is not the God in whom Christians claim belief. And so, we find that judging a candidate simply on their faith or religious affiliation is often a fool's errand.
We must remember that were any of us to already be perfected humans, incapable of sin, we wouldn't have needed Christ. Since that is not the case for anyone dead or alive today, save Christ himself, we must cast aside the prideful notion that there is a "perfect" candidate or position on an issue. There is no perfection in the world as it currently exists.
3) God is in Control
"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." Romans 13:1
This verse should be the verse all of us consider before posting distaste with anything in the political realm. If we profess as Christians to observe Biblical teaching in our lives, how have so many ignored this concept and taken to political bashing? Paul makes it clear that (and I can't stress this enough) God is in control. God knows who will win the election before they know it themselves. God puts those in power to bring about his good plan in the world on a macro level, far beyond what our finite eyes can see.
Do we sometimes have to tolerate Presidents and leaders who espouse views not in line with our own? Of course we do! And, we should understand that in the Biblical context of things, that is to be expected and accepted.
I am of the humble opinion that when a Christian takes to bashing a politician or leader in the world, on the sole basis that they perceive them to be a threat or unworthy candidate, that Christian needs to be aware of how their position is going to appear to those who are not of the faith. Does a viewpoint paint a negative view of someone? Jesus said love our enemies. Does it slander the name of a person? The psalmist reminds us that there is none righteous in the world (Psalm 14:3). Paul reminds us that all have sinned and fallen short of God's standard (Romans 3:23).
We are going to disagree with those in power at some point. We are going to feel upset and hurt by decisions made at times. But, we can also view that leader as a creation of God. Whether the leader acknowledges or knows it, God loves them and wants them to return that love. Maybe some do, and maybe some don't. Some will do it in non-Biblical ways, but mere acknowledgment of God's authority can often lead an individual on a path that ends with Christ. It is often a long journey. It also does not always end that way. We must be assured that in everything, we have the word of the one with ultimate authority, and the one by whose authority and grace we are saved in our faith in Christ. It is this authority that we should be concerned about. Political leaders will come and go, but God is everlasting, and our relationship to God, is of much more importance than our view of a candidate's stance on a political issue.
I encourage my Christian brothers and sisters to watch how we speak of our government. We will not always like what they do. For some, we may never like it. But, we need to remember that our actions as Christians are often what can bring someone to belief. Our treatment of those who believe and those who don't believe needs to be equal, and charitable. Our commission is to go out in the world and make disciples, but it is hard to win disciples if our efforts are focused on speaking badly of others.
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The Bible has a few things to say about our relationship to government and earthly rulers. See these verses below:
"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." Romans 13:1
"Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's." Matthew 22:15-22
"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus." 1 Timothy 2:1-5
"But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare." Jeremiah 29:7
"For Kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over all nations." Psalm 22:28
