Let’s keep role of politics in proper perspective

Attack ads. Debates. Bumper stickers. Yard signs.

It’s painfully obvious that the American political system is at full boil with an election just a month away. For Christians, the rallying cry to support the right candidates and fight for the right issues is loud and unrelenting. As well it should be.

The Bible tells us to work hard to bring about good, no matter what the setting: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10).

Christians who neglect to vote or decline to take an interest in their government really are not appreciating the blessing of citizenship that God has given us in this country.

But there is a caveat to political participation that is sometimes easily forgotten. It’s possible to be too involved, to be too focused on something that is wholly temporal.

The real battle for good takes place in the human heart, not in the voting booth.

Let us not forget that God is sovereign. He is in full control of what is happening every minute of every day, including election day. Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.”

Yes, it’s important that we pray for our leaders, elect those who stand for God’s values and do our best to get rid of those who do not. But Christians who are consumed by anxiety about our government, as if the election’s outcome were vital to the faith, are sadly misdirected.

Worse yet, they may be headed for disappointment.

Throughout Scripture, God is seen using leaders that none of us would elect to bring about his purposes.

King Artaxerxes was a pagan ruler whom God bent to his will to allow the Jews to rebuild Jerusalem – and that evil king even footed the bill! Jesus Himself lived in a wicked, oppressive culture, yet his ministry was undeniably spiritual, not political.

Political involvement for Christians is a matter of priorities. The greatest good we can do through political activism pales in comparison to the good that we can do through sharing Christ with others.

With all due respect to Democrats and Republicans alike, meaningful change in our culture’s morality will come only as hearts are redeemed and transformed by the power of Jesus Christ. I often wonder how morality in our land would improve if some of the millions of dollars spent on television ads and push polls instead went to Christian missionaries.

So what are believers to do? Where is the line that separates responsible participation and unhealthy preoccupation with politics? As always, God’s word is instructive.

First, our role is to pray fervently for our nation and its leaders; 1 Timothy 2:1-2 says that we’re to pray for “kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”

Prayer is the biggest and best weapon Christians have in any circumstance. The old expression “all we can do now is pray” really does us a disservice. Prayer is the best thing we can do in any circumstance.

God’s word also calls on believers to honor their government. My heart aches when I see and hear Christians get so caught up in a political cause that they condemn elected leaders and other officials. There’s no room for that in the life of a Christian.

Sure, we need to call it the way it is. And let’s face it: Some political candidates live lives that are an affront to God’s truth.

Nonetheless, we’re to acknowledge that even those slippery rascals serve us because God has allowed them to do so: “For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God” (Romans 13:1).

I believe God commands us to participate responsibly in our government. We should vote, pay taxes and advocate for those policies that honor God’s truth. Paul told the Roman Christians to do just that: “Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor” (Romans 13:7).

Finally, God’s word reminds us to keep politics in perspective. Jesus did not command his disciples to go out into the world and make more Republicans or Democrats. He commanded them to go make more disciples – to share the good news of salvation and eternal life through faith in Christ alone.

As we enter the final stretch of an ugly political season, let’s pray that God’s will be done.

Let’s take our responsibility as participants seriously. But then let us also let go of politics so it can take its rightful place in the hands of a sovereign God.