I am continuing my blogging on a series called, “Not On My Watch,” which is our response as Christians to our role with politics and the government. In my first blog I stated how we need to remember “Why We Exist?” We have been saved by Jesus and planted here on this planet for the purpose of “making disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19-20). This is something the church must not forget. We are not to transform government, try to make policies, implement laws and turn our country into a Christian place. Jesus will do all this and more when He returns. We have been given our marching orders and it would be wise for us to do what the Lord commands us to do. This is where our authority is at (Matt. 28:18).
A certain king needed a faithful servant and had to choose between two candidates for the office. He took both at fixed wages and told them to fill a basket with water from a nearby well, saying that he would come in the evening to inspect their work.
After dumping one or two buckets of water into the basket, one of the men said, "What is the good of doing this useless work? As soon as we pour the water in, it runs out the sides."
The other answered, "But we have our wages, haven't we? The use is the master's business, not ours. He is a wise King, and must have his own purpose that we do not understand."
"I'm not going to do such fool's work," replied the complainer. Throwing down his bucket, he went away.
The other man continued until he had drained the well. Looking down into it, he saw something shining at the bottom—it was a diamond ring. "Now I see the use of pouring water into the basket!" he exclaimed. "If the bucket had brought up the ring before the well was dry, it would have been filtered out in the basket. The King was looking for his diamond. Our work was not useless."
The King found his most faithful servant!
I think sometimes we feel we know more and we know better than our King does. This is our problem. We think we know better and we ought understand how ludicrous such thinking is. Every time we engage our minds into thinking this way and launch into some form of ministry that takes us away from the Command to make disciples, we set ourselves back. Jesus has stated that “He will build the church” (Matt. 16:18) and thus He knows better than anyone else.
God wants each of us to be faithful to His calling. Laws and policies around us will change many of them for the worse and will be in direct opposition to Christian principles and ideas; nevertheless, our determination to evangelize the world must not change or falter. We cannot switch gears and say, “Let’s transform our society through politics.” Again, do we know more than Jesus does? Are we now advising Him on what He should do?
This then leads me into my next point. Not only are we to Remember Why We Exist, but second, we should Remember that –
2. In God We Trust
This phrase ought to be to us – especially to us who are Christians more than a slogan but a way of life! Do we actually believe this?
What does this mean to us as Christians with regards to politics?
First, we need to place our complete trust and confidence in God regarding both foreign and national affairs. No matter who is in the White House, the Congress, or sitting on the Supreme Court, God is ruling quite well on His throne. Every person who is place in office – folks now watch this – every person who is place in any kind of public office is there by God’s design and will – even those who oppose God and His standards.
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God – Rom. 13:1 NIV
You see, no one comes into office apart from God granting it. No president has occupied the White House by mistake. No member of Congress was elected by humor error. All are in office as an expression of God’s perfect will. He is in full control.
Now you may not like who is in office and I understand. Go back and read the illustration above concerning the faithful servant. God has His ways and His purposes so who are you to question Him? Just keep drawing out the water from the well until He tells you otherwise.
It is in God we trust and submit to.
I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen – 1 Tim. 14-16 NIV
According to bible, how many rulers are there? “God, the blessed and only ruler.” Again, we need to remind ourselves that since He is the only ruler, king of kinds and Lord of lords, our trust ought to be completely in Him and not in what occurs in our State Capital or the White House. I am not saying we should not be informed, but my gosh, don’t be surprised when unsaved people do unsaved things. Remember these words: “But evil men and imposters will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Tim. 3:13). Without Christ, people will degenerate and so will their ideas. Expect it!
You ask, “Just how sovereign is God? Here’s a few things to remember:
1. God is sovereign over sin and Satan (Job 1:12; 2:6; Luke 5:21; 22:31).
2. He is sovereign over all government and military powers (2 Chron. 20:6; Rom. 13:2).
3. He is sovereign over nature and natural disasters (Ps. 107:29; Nahum 1:3-6).
4. He is sovereign over sickness and disease (John 9:3; 11:4; Rev. 21:4).
5. He is sovereign over every human being (Acts 13:48; Rom. 9:17-18).
6. He is sovereign over you and me (Prov. 16:9; 19:21; James 4:13-15).
7. God does whatever He pleases (Psalm 115:3).
8. God “works all things after the counsel of His will” (Eph. 1:11).
Knowing this is one thing, but do we really believe it? If we do, we will not go around in despair and try to fight off our daily anxiety attacks. Instead, we will be worry free (Matt. 6:25ff; Philip. 4:6). It will not matter what the political landscape is, because it is in God we trust. God is directing our nation within His providential purposes toward His perfect will and glorious end. What more can we ask for?
Don’t forget, God has already told us that the world will get worse before the return of Christ (2 Thess. 2:7-12; 1 Tim. 4:1-5; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; 2 Pet. 3:3). Yet many Christians see politics as if it is something they can engage in as a way to either stop or slow down the worsening of this world through legislation. But the truth of the matter is that no society will ever be made right and whole until Christ comes again and sets up His kingdom (Isa. 9:7; Jer. 23:5-6’ Dan. 2:24; 7:14; Luke 1:32-33; Rev. 5:10; 20:6). So until Jesus comes again, do not be surprised if you hear more lies from politicians and read about more corruption. Even the best and brightest conservatives will fail in the end.
Now when I say, “fail” I do not mean that their presence and calling in office is of no consequential good. I mean that no political party, no matter how good it is will keep society from moral degeneration. The best that can be done is for Christian politicians to use their position and authority to be a spiritual witness unto others while they can. So instead of political activism, a far better strategy for Christians and Christian politicians is to focus on being a faithful witness to what God has actually called them to do within their own sphere of influence – exalting the Savior (1 Cor. 10:31; Col. 3:17), encouraging the saints (Heb. 3:13l 10:24-25), evangelizing the lost (Acts 1:8; 1 Cor. 9:19-23; 1 Pet. 3:15), and exhibiting godly conduct (1 Thess. 4:11; 2 Thess. 3:12; 1 Tim. 2:2). We can put our trust in God regarding national and international affairs.
Now by all means, Christian ought to exercise their right to vote for the issues and candidate of their choosing, but remember this: God has already determined the outcome of every election. Whatever that outcome may be, Christians can be absolutely confident that it will be in line with God’s sovereign purposes for the future of both our nation and our world.
More to come.
