Politics

There is a strange doctrine I heard from someone calling a talk show recently. The person professed to be a Christian and seemed upset regarding other Christians taking a stand on a current event in opposition to the stance on the current event taken by many government leaders at the federal level. The caller seemed emphatic that Christians should not be involved in discourse with government officials (politicians if you please) in the public arena, she felt that Christians should focus solely on telling people about the love of Jesus.

Do a study on Romans the 13th chapter and you will see that government is not a bad thing, and that good government of a community or nation is “ordained of God.”

Also, I’d like to point your attention to one New Testament personality:

Matthew 11:9-10

9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.

10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

King James Version

This passage is Jesus speaking about John the Baptist. I think we would say that John was very dedicated in proclaiming Jesus, judging from Jesus' high commendation of John.

However, John did more than just talk about the love of God in his discourse in the public arena. Let's look at John and King Herod:

Mark 6:18-20

18 For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.

19 Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not:

20 For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

King James Version

Some don’t realize it, but the body that condemned Jesus to death was basically a type of Supreme Court for the nation of Israel.

Trust me friends, just by publicly standing up for truth and righteousness it can sometimes be impossible to avoid being publicly at odds with unjust governmental/political forces.

America's Civil Rights movement just a few decades ago would not have been as successful as it was had not many Christians (Black and White) peacefully opposed unjust discriminatory laws. These individuals even applied much political pressure until the federal government had to take action in outlawing discriminatory practices that were the status quo in many communities.


If Christians don’t stand up to be counted, do we have any right to complain if wickedness takes over and runs rampant in government seats of power locally, regionally, and federally?