Losing Religion to Politics

No doubt many of you (like myself) were glued to the television last night, wondering about the results of the mid-term elections. Some were disappointed, others were delighted…and it’s easy to look at things simply from a blue or red point of view and forget a few spiritual things. Like what?

In a fallen world there is no perfect political party, no perfect political candidate, and no perfect political policies. As Christians, we have to always keep in mind Psalm 146:3 - “Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save.” A government cannot save, and we can‘t put our trust in man to deliver what God alone can do…but we also have to keep in kind that God has ordained this government to maintain justice and punish evil (Romans 13:1-7).

As such, we all have obligations to live the best we can as Christian citizens…living lives that would bring glory to God, and (no matter what anyone says) this does come out in what sort of government we support. Christians can and do disagree about political things, but biblical Christianity ultimately transcends party politics. Having said that, some political parties and policies may be closer to biblical concerns than others.

C.S. Lewis once warned about the dangers of “Christianity and…” Whether it be Christianity and Republicans, or Christianity and Democrats, or Christianity and tea parties. In a fallen world no political party will fully reflect all of God’s concerns. So, we have to wisely and prayerfully consider where our votes are going, and what they‘re going for when it comes to issues like gay marriage, abortion, funding for sinful activities, etc.

Each Christian (each of you) has to prayerfully and thoughtfully seek God on every issue of life, and politics are no different. The stakes are high, and failure to seek God in all these things will be tragic. At the very least, we have to keep I Tim 2:1-2 in mind: “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone…for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

God comes first, not country. God comes first, not politics. God comes first…period. It’s when we lose sight of God that we lose our identity as His children.