The Gospel is Political
As mid-term elections loom in less than 2 weeks, it is time to think about exactly how the Gospel is political, though it may not exactly be in the way that you think. Unfortunately, for many people, when they think of the church and politics they think of candidates coming to address the congregation, specific candidates or proposals being touted or denounced from the pulpit, or mailboxes being stuffed with propaganda or voter's guides. If you have been around Christ Church at all you know that we have not chosen to go in those directions.
However, the Gospel is political. Jesus came proclaiming a kingdom (Matt. 4:17, 5:3,10, and many more ...) and fashioned himself a King (Jn. 18:37). We spent time earlier this year pouring through what is ultimately his kingdom manifesto, also know as the Sermon on the Mount, where he lays out a comprehensive kingdom ethic that speaks to issues of truth, persecution, life, death, sexuality, anger, etc... Our current study in Ephesians also proclaims Jesus as supreme potentate seated in the place of rule at the right hand of the Father, "far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come", with all things under his feet and with Christ as the head of all things. (Ephesians 1: 20-22). The Gospel is political. But as Jesus said to Pilate, "My kingdom is not of this world." (Jn. 18:36). And therein lies the rub, and ultimately the hope. As believers we have a King who transcends all earthly powers and all earthly allegiances, but his interests in not in an earthly kingdom. His rule is world wide, but is not manifest in places of power, but in the hearts of the humblest of believers and the ministry of the church.
So as we go to the polls in the next couple of weeks (which we should make every effort to do) our voter guide is the manifesto of our King. We make every effort to support candidates and policies that reflect his heart and his kingdom values. This is really difficult and may not align perfectly with American partisan politics. What is God's heart for the poor? The refugee? What does God have to say about life and its sanctity? How do we think about foreign policy and the positioning of our nation vs. other nations? On these questions and many more, our job is to scour the whole of God's revelation to us, the scriptures, seeking the heart of our King, and go into the polls allegiant to him and him alone!
This is a challenge in the midst of a secular society and if we look merely at institutions and politicians we will be depressed, but the fact that Jesus is our King is ultimately our hope. For though the nations rage and peoples plot, our King ultimately laughs and holds them in derision. And for those who have kissed the Son, blessing and refuge abound! (cf. Psalm 2).
Photo by Katie Moum on Unsplash