I have lived a long time,
and I cannot remember any time in my life when politics was as divisive or as
scary. Our gradual cultural change from a standard of absolute right and wrong
to moral relativism has left us without any rudder. Ethics and morals have been
surrendered to whatever one can get away with. Both liberal and conservative
politicians now seem to have transformed what should be well-meaning
disagreements about what is best for the country and how best to fix it, into
seeing the opposition as genuine enemies of the country. Following this lead,
paranoia runs rampant among voters. I don’t understand the inability of people
to realize that reasoning together requires, at the least, an honest attempt at
objectivity - opening our minds to actually listening and trying to find mutual
goals and possible mutual strategies to solving problems.
I have come to question the underlying understanding of Christians whose
politics have become as imperative as their faith. How deeply should we be
involved? Ultimately, is politics really where Christians should be putting
their intensity?
How does an attitude of hatred from a certain segment of the Church reflect a
Jesus whose message was one which taught us that if someone hits us on one
cheek, we should offer him the other as well. He told us to forgive our enemies
and pray for them - to do good to those who would treat us badly. Is this what
we are doing? The current actions and attitudes on the part of many calling
themselves Christian may be one of the reasons Christians are not taken
seriously by the rest of the world, and offers a valid reason for them to cry,
“Hypocrites!”. If the unbelievers of the world have lost their objectivity,
surely it is important that we Christians retain ours. Do our words and actions
reflect the kindness and humility of a genuine follower of Christ? Have we
become so paranoid (on either political side) that we have also lost our
spiritual focus? If there has been a true regeneration of the soul, people
would be growing more Christ-like, not more like the world. A lot of bad stuff
is being done in the name of Christ which has no connection with Christ at all,
and the reputation of the Church is suffering.
Yet, even true believers are not always judicious about their politics. I truly
don’t understand why Christians are so deeply involved in politics of either
stripe. Scripture clearly teaches us that we are to be IN this world, but not
OF it. I believe this implies a careful making of choices and a degree of
moderation regarding secular systems. Of course I believe we should vote, and
try to vote intelligently. We are to render to Caesar, etc., and there are
certainly activities in which our faith and our politics may meet. We are to
have a servant mentality, and this may call for compassionate involvement in
social issues. We are to be salt and light in the world, and this means working
for the things we believe, like feeding the hungry, education, preserving life,
and so on. I get that. We are saved by grace, but toward good works. (Read the book of James) However, our good works and our consciences should be fueled by the
depth of our faith, designed to reflect God’s love. Law merely reflects the
current political thinking of a nation, which may or may not represent good.
While we are to obey secular law, our primary allegiance should be to serve
God.
The troubling thing to me is the intensity many Christians put into our
politics; the anger and demonization we direct at our political opponents, just
like the world. If we speak of spiritual things, the conversation remains calm
and cerebral. If we talk about politics, everyone becomes intensely emotional.
What does this say about the reality of our true priorities? It seems to me
that the passion should be on the side of our faith. There is a fine line, and
we need to be sure we have not crossed it.
