The election is finally upon us and many, if not most, have already cast our ballets. In times past we were told “we should never talk about politics in church.” Since we are members of Christ’s spiritual body, the idea is “our only focus is on eternal truths.”
This idea assumes believers are isolated completely from what is going on in the world around us. After all, we’re “in the world but not of the world” (John 17:14-16).
“Remember that a Christian’s dual citizenship is to be taken seriously. All the kingdoms of Planet Earth are under the judgment of God. Whenever there is a conflict of loyalties between your earthly and heavenly citizenship, there can be no question as to which takes preference.”
“But, God’s people simply do not have the luxury of washing our hands and being unconcerned about the larger political landscape. Since both justice and mercy are connected to the people and policies of government(s), we dare not be insular and altogether disengaged with civil issues.”
“Biblical faith must not be prostituted to the institutions of power, nationalism or partisan politics. Church and state must remain separate, for the church’s role in the state is to be its conscience.
“The sorry religion Karl Marx dubbed the ‘opiate of the masses’ was a church used to prop up the rich and powerful. True religion is always God’s voice for the weak (James 1:17) … God still requires this of his people: ‘To do right (live justly), to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).’”
“Finally, on the morning of Nov 6, 2024, get out of bed, go about your duty, do everything on that day to the glory of God, and be thankful that we aren’t due to have another presidential election for four years.”
(Excerpts: Rubel Shelly, “The Christian Chronicle,” Vol 81 No 11, p 29, Nov 2024).