Jesus had a great way to deal with political situations.....he would disappear. Of course, he really didn't vanish...poof....into midair, he just got out of Dodge on the shortest track available because his mission was the cross, not a throne. Now some would interpret Christ's actions in such a way as to boldly proclaim that Christians have no place in politics. When it comes to America, these mis-interpreters are wrong.
In our pluralistic society, it is the privilege and opportunity, nay, the God given right of every citizen to be involved in politics. Freedom without politics would be....well, it would be heaven. But entering the political realm doesn't mean one is necessarily entering evil.
Take our current political reality. Many of the politicians, both aisles included, are proclaiming Christianity as their preferred 'faith.' Careful now; claiming the Christian faith doesn't really mean much. Hitler claimed the same. What counts is to live the Christian faith in all of its aspects. You love God with all your heart, and you treat your neigbor with the same love you should have for your own life. There's the rub! Let's rub it for a minute.
If you can't cheat, steal, or tell lies about your opponent, you are not going to be considered a very proficient politician. In fact, if you act like you really are a believer in the authentic Jesus of the Bible, you will automatically open yourself up to attack. We can see that happening right now. Presidential candidates are trying to prove themselves the better 'Christians' while simultaneously dishing someone who really seems genuinely sold out to Jesus. Is there reason for this mentality? Yep!
Matthew 6:11. "Blessed you are when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you on my account. Rejoice and be glad!!" In otherwords, when everybody gets upset because a politician is actually acting out the faith he or she professes, EXCELLENT. Don't get mad, get glad. That is how it is designed to happen. It is also why most Christians have an aversion to entering the political field. You can't react like the devil when you are accused of looking like Jesus! Honestly, I prefer trying to look like Jesus in the everyday world where there are no cameras or talking heads to take me apart, but the days of comfortable Christianity are about over; publically and privately.
The fact is, most of us are smart enough to be good governors but we're probably not mean enough. To me, that is a sad commentary on the state of our society and political system and may be a reason why more true believers should be getting involved. What does all of this tell us? Rojoice when men revile you and, pass the ballot. The elections are coming.
Happy voting. Pastor Jim
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