Shasta Way Christian Church
How do we as followers of Christ understand politics? Do we get involved? What should be my perspective?
So are we to be involved in politics or is our faith only restricted to the spiritual realm or only in the church?
Daniel 3:24-30 NIV
When you read Matthew 24, what do you see as one of the characteristics evident as you read? Violence, discontent, conflict, death, persecution (not just against Christians), warnings as to the coming of the anti-Christ… false hope, false messiahs.
Behavior, values and beliefs that are not of God. As political structure that does not align with the Kingdom of God…
Matthew 24:14 NIV
Matthew 24:42-46 NIV
“In the World – But Not of the World”
John 15:19 NIV
John 17:14-16 NIV
1 John 2:15 NASB1995
Bob Good a newly elected Republican Congressman from Virginia, calls himself a “Biblical Conservative”.
“I'm proud to tell you that I'm a born-again Christian, it's the most important thing in my life," Good said in his rally address. "The media hates it when I say this, that I'm a constitutional conservative and I'm a biblical conservative."
So should I get involved? Why should I get involved?
The answer is “Yes”.
Jeremiah 29:7 NIV
Matthew 5:13 NIV
Retreating from the challenges of our day is therefore not a biblical option for Christians..
The late Chuck Colson noted: “People who cannot restrain their own baser instincts, who cannot treat one another with civility, are not capable of self-government.”
He added: “Without virtue, a society can be ruled only by fear, a truth that tyrants understand all too well.”
The philosopher Plato said:
"The penalty that good men pay for not being interested in politics is to be governed by men worse than themselves."
Four responses that as believers we need to be following.
ONE: REPENT PERSONALLY.
James 4:11-12 NIV
“Sin always takes you further than you wanted to go,
keeps you longer than you wanted to stay,
and costs you more than you wanted to pay.”
TWO: INTERCEDE PASSIONATELY.
1 Timothy 2:1-5 NIV
2 Corinthians 4:4 NIV
Do you know the names of your governor, mayor, city council, and local school board? Are you praying every day for God to lead, protect, empower, and use them?
Are you praying for wisdom for them?
Are you praying for confusion towards Satan and those who follow him?
THREE: SPEAK GRACIOUSLY.
Ephesians 4:15 NIV
Colossians 4:2-6 NIV
Part of this is to recognize that this fight is not our fight. They may attack us, But they are really attacking Jesus.
We are in a war, but it is a spiritual war, not of our own making, not one that we control and not primarily against us.
Ephesians 6:12, 18 NIV
Four: Act redemptively, act proactively!
Carl F. H. Henry noted, “The gospel is only good news if it gets there in time.”
How will you get the gospel to your culture today?
The Spirit of God, The Holy Spirit enables us to have spiritual gifts. There are many gifts, but many of those gifts are not for use exclusively within the Body. Some have dual purpose…
1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NIV
So what are we to do? Get involved… If you see an injustice speak the truth in love. If you can correct something then do it in love that Jesus gives. If you have a gift of serving, serve others.
Sacrifice, go out of your way to help others, even if you don’t agree with them.
Benjamin Franklin:
I have found that in times of crisis Gods word has been there for me faithfully holding forth hope, and encouragement.
I have found that in times when I lacked wisdom Gods word answered my questions, and gave me direction.
And I have found that in times when I am not sure what is right God’s word helps me discern the truth.