Seriously, is it possible that people are finally so fed up and discouraged with the political climate that it can be a wake-up call to what really matters in life? Now, to be fair, there are many good politicians in all parties that want to accomplish good things and actually help people. But is seems almost impossible for them to do that when the political culture has become similar to the Old Testament false idols, demanding our time, money, and pledge of allegiance to a particular party or cause! Each side wants only to win, and demonize and make “losers” of half the country that they consider the “enemy”. Nobody wins in that evil system! It has led to hatred, division, corruption, weak and immoral character traits that only discourage the people and leave a bitter taste of hopelessness in their mouth. We Christians should know better than to get sucked into these demeaning arguments. We know the difference between the debilitating effects of sin, as opposed to the freedom, joy, and new life once we open our hearts to Jesus! Remember Paul’s words in Galatians 5:19-26 (NIV):
19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. perfect
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Wow! Verses 19-21 pretty much sum up the political and moral stumbling blocks our culture deals with today! But as Christians, how do we pivot in our words and behavior to truly “live by the Spirit”, and demonstrate the “fruit of the Spirit” in verses 22-25? We begin by recognizing the answers to life’s deepest needs will never be found in politics or secular culture. Many Christians teachers have said that because of our sinful nature, we all have 3 fundamental needs:
1) To believe: all all human hearts need to have faith is something or Someone
2) To belong: all human hearts need to experience community and family
3) To become: all human hearts need to grow, stretch, and and reach their potential (a purpose in life)
Sadly, for those who have no faith in God, those 3 needs are often sought in politics because they have no where else to turn. They believe in a particular leader or party, they give all their time, money and energy to belong to their group of like-minded individuals, and they hope in futility that their cause will will win and become the perfect, utopian society that their leaders have promised. Of course it never happens, and the cycle continues with the other side “winning” and then eventually blaming their enemies for why they couldn’t do it either!
God, of course, has a much better plan. He sent his Son Jesus to die for ALL of us on the cross, and through his death to offer us the opportunity to trust Him and receive complete forgiveness for our sins, and finally, power to live a new life through the power of the Holy Spirit of God himself. God desires everybody to trust in Jesus, and for those who do believe, we are now ALL winners! in Jesus’ Kingdom, there is to be no division, hatred, jealousy, or anything else that now divides us; we become one in Christ, and he is able to break down all the barriers that sin sets up in our lives.
How do we as believers speak and live out this hope we have found in Jesus? We begin by not looking to politics or the world’s solutions, but rather keep our eyes on Jesus and follow his example. Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV) tells us:
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
In his wonderful book “Stay The Course”, Chicago pastor Choco DeJesus lists 4 responses Christians give to changes in our culture. We may have done all 4 at times, but only one is really biblical! They are:
1) Accommodate- they accept every lifestyle and belief as equally valid, so as not to offend anyone
2) Oppose change- they see others as enemies who threaten their beliefs, and they become defensive and won’t talk with “those people”
3) Withdraw- they think their voice isn’t heard anyway, or they don’t want to get involved in the messiness of our culture
4) Engage (the biblical way!)- like Jesus, we engage change with a beautiful blend of truth, grace, and purpose!
That’s tough, but remember Jesus calls us to be “in the world but not of the world”, and also to be “salt and light”, bringing light to the darkness and the seasoning of grace, truth, and love to a decaying culture!
This engagement means getting involved in the messiness and sin of the world, and includes Christian involved in politics at every level, but with their devotion to Jesus first, and not any political party or movement.
Can we really engage the culture with sacrificial love, like Jesus did when he gave his life for us? Will it make a difference? Look at an example from the Roman Empire. There were 2 major plagues, one in 165 and one in 251, that devastated the empire and wiped out about 1/3 of the people. They prayed to the Roman gods, with no answer, and when their doctors couldn’t help & left town, the people abandoned their sick families and left them to die. The Christians, however, didn’t run. They stayed to care for their own families, and they also cared for the abandoned Roman families. Many of the Christian caretakers got sick and died as well, but they also saved many people. The Romans noticed the sacrifice and love of these Christians, and it changed the Empire. In the next 200 years, as this story was retold, the percentage of Christians went from about 1% to 25% of the total populace! If we love like Jesus loves us, we CAN change the world!
Christians, are we finally fed up enough with our culture to return to our first love, Jesus and his Kingdom? Will we again seek to love God with all of our heart and soul and mind and strength, and then, like Jesus modeled, love our neighbor as ourselves? Remember, we have already won! Jesus is victorious over death itself, and we will inherit his Kingdom and live forever in His presence. We have nothing ultimately to lose. Are we willing to engage our messy culture like Jesus would, to love those who disagree with us and embrace the poor, outcast, and powerless? Can we be agents of sacrificial love, bringing reconciliation to warring factions? Can we share the truth of Jesus in a way that is gracious and inviting, not condemning? Can we live and talk in a way radically different than the culture, giving off an aroma of grace, forgiveness, new life, and hope that permeates from our intimate relationship with Jesus? Yes, the world can be different. It begins with the followers of Jesus. Are you ready to join forces and change the world, Jesus style? Let’s go!