Should Christians be involved in politics?
The short answer…ABSOLUTELY! Now hang with me while I explain.
First off, if we are asking the question “should Christians be in politics?” we are asking the wrong question. Instead, we should be asking the question, “Why shouldn’t Christians be in politics?” There really is no valid reason.
Christians are ambassadors of light. Those who are meant to spread the light of Christ, stand up for the oppressed and fight against evil. I think politics fit in very well with those roles.
Edmund Burke said, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
When Christian men and women don’t stand up for what is right, when those who wield the sword of truth are not standing up and fighting evil…who is left? If you don’t get involved in politics, to make a difference for good, then others will. And they will not be the warriors of light that are needed and stand for the values of scripture.
Christians, you can count on it: what happens in politics, for better or worse, impacts the church! And with the way our government works…we the people are responsible, whether we are active or not, for how it is run. When we speak out for justice, law and truth, vote for the people who will uphold the values of scripture, AND be active in learning what is going on in our government and learning from our history, we are being the ambassadors of light we are called to be. Making a difference for GOOD. But when we are silent, think our voice or vote doesn’t matter or make a difference, when we pull out of places we don’t think we shouldn’t be a part of…we are leaving the door open for evil and darkness to walk in and take over.
Instead of stepping into the background, keeping quiet and thinking our purpose is to stay out of it, we should be FILLING the government. Our voices should be the loudest, and we should be the first ones at the voting polls.
Did you know that only about 50% of Christians are registered to vote? And out of that 50%, only HALF of them vote in elections! That means only 25% of Christians of voting age actually vote. ONE QUARTER of American Christians! That is a VERY sad percentage.
When Christ taught the Sermon on the Mount, He talked about what being a Christian was supposed to look like. Matthew 5:14-16 says, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Today’s Christians in America, instead of being bold, courageous and taking up the responsibilities we have been given, we have become silent, scared, and apathetic. In this time when our country, and the world really needs it, when evil rages and is not afraid to be blatant in our streets, we have dimmed our light so that we will stay our of the public eye. So that we won’t be called out on the media or addressed by the people around us.
244 years ago a group of men, many of whom were Christian men, gathered together, put themselves in the public eye, risked being arrested and executed for treason (which was a pretty gruesome death, by the way)…and they did it for you. They did it so that the generations after them might have a voice for good in how their government and lives were run. They believed that only GOD should be King over people and that He blessed people with certain rights on this earth…and those rights should be protected. That not one or a few should have control over many.
“What an affront to the King of the universe, to maintain that the happiness of a monster sunk in debauchery and spreading desolation and murder among men, of a Caligula, a Nero, or a Charles, is more precious in His sight than that of millions of His suppliant creatures, who do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with their God!” – Samuel Adams
Just over two hundred years ago, at the start of this country, many Christian men, women…and even young people, put their lives on hold. They came out of the shadows, risked much and got involved in politics (and a war), because they had a passion…a passion to leave behind a land and legacy of freedom, liberty and light to the future generations. So that we could worship God without fear…they got involved. What would have happened if they didn’t?
“Courage, then, my countrymen! our contest is not only whether we ourselves shall be free, but whether there shall be left to mankind an asylum on earth for civil and religious liberty.”
They wanted to leave something better behind for their children and all who came after them. What do you want to leave behind for your children?
So…should Christians be involved in politics? Tell me: If Christians don’t stand up for the unborn, who will? If Christians don’t stand up for the sanctity of marriage and family, who will? If Christians don’t fight for minds, hearts and souls of our children, who will?
If Christians won’t fight against evil on all fronts, who will?
Should we worry so about this world when we are to be heavenly minded?
I have heard people say that we should not be so concerned with politics and everything going on in the world. Our first priority should be winning souls for Christ’s Kingdom.
Absolutely, we should be focused on reaching people for Christ and spreading the gospel! But what does that look like? Can we only do that from the pulpit? Is it only possible if we evangelize out on the street?
You know, when people come up to me and say that we should be more focused on spreading the gospel than making a difference in the country, I really want to ask, “Where are you sharing the gospel? How much focus are you putting on it?” See what I think we tend to forget is that we share the gospel and the light of Jesus EVERYWHERE and in many ways. And just because we are not sitting down with someone and explaining the deep theology of scripture does not mean that we are not reaching people or spreading God’s word.
I can tell you I had more people ask about my faith and what made me the way I was because of how I did my job at work, how I talked, lived and responded, than I ever did from starting a theological conversation. Now, this does not mean that you cannot go up to people and talk to them or have a conversation with someone about their beliefs…it means that people are always watching. And I will tell you, people are more ready to listen to you when they see your actions follow your words.
I get it, I am a writer…words are my thing, and they are actually my first love language…but I have never listened to someone who was all words. They had to prove it by their actions.
So when unbelievers look and listen to you…what do they see? When they hear you say you care about the unborn child, what do they see you doing about it? When they hear you say you hate evil, what do they see you doing to stop it? When they hear you say you believe in the morals of scripture…what do they see you doing to protect them and make sure they are upheld?
For THAT is the responsibility of every American…and Christian.
We guard the door against attack…we do not allow it to waltz in and just watch it destroy our land. We resist the devil and his demons, we do not allow them control over what we were given to take care of. We are soldiers! And not just your every day soldier…we are soldiers of Christ! We do not retreat, and we do not hide. We are called to be strong and courageous, bold and valiant!
We can be heavenly minded while also tending to crises’ here on earth. Especially in our own country…of which we are to be good stewards. If we are not faithful…it will be taken away. As long as we are left here on this earth we are not to ignore it. After all…we ARE part of this world. It will ALWAYS affect us.
“If you perform your part, you must have the strongest confidence that the same Almighty who protected your pious and venerable forefathers, who enabled them to turn a barren wilderness into a fruitful field, who so often made bare His arm for their salvation, will still be mindful of you, their offspring.” -Joseph Warren
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with your wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Preserving Foundations 
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