It’s All About The Gospel
I get a lot of pushback here when we post articles about Christian involvement in politics.
I don’t answer most of it and I fully understand that our constant speaking against the marriage of partisan politics to Christianity has caused a major exodus of readers from the site.
When I started this site I did so as a matter of conscience and biblical mandates against the defilement of the church through various sorts of spiritual abuse.
Most of the (often torrid) opposition to the site was from professing Christians.
Today, I’m still following my conscience and biblical mandates to the best of my ability.
Most of the opposition to what we post now is also from professing Christians.
I’ll write this out one time and be done with it, knowing that most who are upset won’t hear me anyway.
It’s not about politics.
it’s not about being conservative or liberal.
It’s all about the faith once delivered.
I am keenly aware that there is much that is broken in the world at the present time. I understand the distrust of institutions. I understand that it is very difficult to discern truth from false information. Lies are the currency we pay for free speech and chosen divisions. I worry about crime and inflation that hits those of us on fixed incomes hard. I shake my head…alternately in disgust and confusion… at the broken and perverted sexuality that is accepted and promoted everywhere.
I even understand how hard it is for the small and medium business owner to deal with burdensome regulations and taxes.
I have no time to speak to the degradation of our cities and the drug addiction and homelessness that seems to have no solution.
I reject the progressive left as much as I fear the radical right.
I desire to be safe, comfortable, and free as much as you do.
All those things concern me, but nothing concerns me more than keeping the Christian faith and the Gospel of Jesus Christ free from the pollution of popular and political beliefs of the times.
I oppose anything that compromises or defiles Christian ethics and behaviors in front of a lost world.
I am blessed to have been born in America, but I live as an exile here, waiting for and working for only the Kingdom of God.
The United States Constitution is the greatest political document ever produced, but it is superseded by the Sermon on the Mount.
It is my pastoral convictionthat the current melding of church and state has resulted in idolatry that has not only defiled the faith but defiled the faithful…there has been a rejection of the power and the fruit of the Spirit in favor of the pursuit of power at any cost.
The cost uncounted has been the harm to the spiritual health of Christians and our witness in the world.
There are no political saviors…we have One and His kingdom is not of this world.
We will continue to speak to these issues…hopefully in Christian love and tolerance.
We won’t always get it right and we have to be quick to acknowledge that and repent.
My heart has always been for the church and the people in it…and it will continue to be, by the grace of God.
Everyone that writes here has the same heart and the same objectives…I thank God for Dr. Duane Arnold, Kevin H and others who might grace us with their thoughts…and for the current group of commenters that help us think more clearly about these matters.
We soldier on…for and with the hope of the Gospel.
Amen Michael…we have ONE Savior & his kingdom is not of this world …says it all!
pslady,
Thank you…glad you’re with us!
Thank you! I am nervous about the upcoming 11 months as the division gets even worse and many true believers continue to be drawn into sides of politicians instead of the Lord and our faith.
So far I have kept out of political stuff on Facebook, but I know eventually my stand will come out on Facebook and I anticipate being chastised and blocked by some good friends, but I also know that I cannot stay silent when the time comes.
I have good relationships with most of my friends who disagree with me, but that may change.
Dan,
It’s going to get ugly.
On the other hand it will be an opportunity for sanctification and growth as we try to live as we believe.
The challenge, as it always is…is not to become what we’re standing against.
ASbsolutely. I am thankful that God has allowed me to have friendships that cross political spectrums. That is tenuous though. Indeed it is extremely easy to become what you abhor.
Ha…typo first word…
Anyways, wanted to also say that disagreements that turn into shouting matches or acrimony will NEVER lead one to saving faith, as we all know. That is what I aim to avoid.
Bringing politics into the church is most definitely a ‘defilement’ of the Church. What a powerful statement, but how true! Tens of thousands of God’s people have fled these defiled churches – my husband and I are among them. How sad that true Christians , like Michael, have become a ‘ voice crying in the wilderness’ – contending for Jesus and the true gospel message of Christ. The idea that these politicized churches could ever win souls over to Christ is laughable, and yet THAT is the great commission of Christ! These churches are planting the seeds of their own demise. They’ve traded God’s will for their own desire to rule over others. God will not be mocked, and His spirit will not abide in churches that have replaced Him with their Idols of political power and control.
Janet Linn,
Thank you for that…I’m glad you’re here…
“All those things concern me, but nothing concerns me more than keeping the Christian faith and the Gospel of Jesus Christ free from the pollution of popular and political beliefs of the times.
I oppose anything that compromises or defiles Christian ethics and behaviors in front of a lost world.”
In a sense, it’s sad that, after all these years, you would even need to write this. Other than providing a place for prayer and fellowship, this has been your emphasis all along. Carry on, Brother!
Janet Linn said…”God will not be mocked, and His spirit will not abide in churches that have replaced Him with their Idols of political power and control.”
Absolutely! Can I borrow this line for future use?
Thank you for posting this. The mixing of the Word of God and nationalism is not new. It was the reason for the downfall of God’s people in Jeremiah’s day. A large part of the book of Jeremiah addresses this. It was the reason for the downfall of God’s people in our Lord’s day. It was the reason many of the people cried “Hosannah” as he rode into Jerusalem. It was also the reason, a few days later, that they chose Barabbas, when they realized our Lord was not following the same agenda they were following. In both instances, the destruction of the first temple and the destruction of the second temple, Yahwistic Nationalism was an unmistakable form of idolatry. It cannot but be so today, and it is a terrifying prospect for God’s people.
“It’s not about politics.”
“It’s not about being conservative or liberal.”
“It’s all about the faith once delivered.”
Amen and amen. Unfortunately, so many Christians today cannot delineate these things. Faith and politics have become so intertwined that when one speaks purely from a faith perspective to an issue that may have political elements to it, people cannot handle this and force supposed political intentions or agendas upon the speaker.
“You were running well. Who prevented you from being persuaded regarding the truth? This persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough.” – Galatians 5:7-9
Many segments of the church body have let a little bit of political leaven into the batch of faith. Now their whole batch of faith has been infected. They can’t see things of the faith without seeing politics.
“Other than providing a place for prayer and fellowship, this has been your emphasis all along.”
Thanks, CK.
The difference is that I’m so much older now and much more sensitive to stress…I wrestled with writing and publishing this kind of material…until it dawned on me that this is my unfortunate calling.
Terrie R. Beede,
Thank you…indeed, idolatry is what took out Israel…and will take out many of us.
Kevin,
That verse from Galatians is gold…