Sabbath Thought - Christians and Politics

It has been said that the two topics that polite people don't talk about in public are religion and politics. Part of why a polite person should not talk politics in public is that the topic is very polarizing. Look at the current state of national politics in this country. We have never been more divided as a nation - but that is not to say that this nation has always been unified either.

When Abraham Lincoln was chosen as the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate he delivered his "House Divided" address to his colleagues in the Hall of Representatives. This is the take-away quote of his address: "A house divided against itself, cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure, permanently, half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved -- I do not expect the house to fall -- but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other." He saw a divided house was untenable for the future of this nation - a house that was divided over the issue of slavery. Unfortunately, the elected representatives of that time were unable to resolve their differences and the nation indeed became divided and the Civil War was the result.

Could we fix the problems of this world by being involved in the politics of this world? Could we vote the right people into office and have a nation or a world that would live in harmony with God's Word? No! Mankind cannot fix the problems he creates by rejecting God as the source of instruction for life. Could our vote change the course of mankind's sinful and unrighteous choices? At best, our vote would simply slow down the rate of decay - why would any of us want that? Rather, we are told to pray for our leaders that we may lead peaceable lives (1 Timothy 2:1-2) - that we can do our part (with as little hindrance as possible) in proclaiming the Gospel. Additionally, we are instructed that government authorities should be respected, regardless of their political affiliation as the apostle Peter wrote in 1 Peter 2:17.

Historically, the Church of God has rejected voting or involvement in politics. The reasons were simple: we are now ambassadors for God's coming Kingdom (2 Corinthians 5:20, Philippians 3:20, Ephesians 2:19) and ambassadors don't get involved in politics of the host country; and patriotism expressed through voting is in conflict with putting God above all else (Matthew 6:33). The subject of voting, however, naturally concerns who appoints leaders of secular offices - the voters, a nation or God. The Bible offers clear guidelines in this area; Psalm 75:6-7; Jeremiah 27:5; Daniel 2:21; Daniel 4:17; Daniel 5:21. The fact remains - "the authorities that exist are appointed by God," (Romans 13:1

For centuries, God's people have refrained from voting in political elections as an act of faith, not passiveness or isolationism. This faith has been that God will place "whomever He will" in these secular leadership positions, independently of help from us. In fact, one of the hallmarks in identifying the true Church of God since the 1st Century has been the lack of involvement or participation in the politics of the surrounding cultures! Do we embrace the principle expressed in John 18:36? If this is not God's world, should it be ours? Jesus' Kingdom does not come from the laws, thoughts, ideals, motives, principles, values and spirit that this world embraces. Consequently, Jesus Christ did not align Himself with any of the kingdoms of this world. He was focused on the future Kingdom of God.

We live in an age of spiritual darkness. However, the reality of God's plan of salvation involves the return of Jesus Christ to sweep away all of mankind's attempts of governing himself. Those attempts will all fail. God will not pick up the pieces of this world's systems and remodel them. His government will be predicated on His nature and character and will be based on love, submission to His rule and a desire to serve. In the meantime, we pray for peace and good will, but the true peace of God's soon-coming Kingdom on earth will surpass anything in human experience!

May we remember that the politics of this world will fade away to be replaced by the perfect, righteous government and Kingdom of God!

I wish you a very rewarding Sabbath,

Dan Dowd

10 August, 2024