Putting Politics in Perspective

In times of widespread cultural chaos and angst, it’s important for Jesus’ people to focus on founda­tions.

So, what’s bedrock for the church?  What’s our foundational reality?  Not any political party, or candi­date, or poll data, or debate perform­ance, or election outcome.  Bedrock for us is God—the Creator and Sustainer of all that is!  Our foundation is the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  And belonging to Jesus’ international, multi-ethnic, world-wide family of believers—his church.  And gathering for worship.  And scatter­ing each week—sent by Jesus into his world on mission.

But in today’s societal frenzy, we can get distracted and disoriented and lose track of these basics.  So we need solid footings to deal with faith and politics.  I don’t aim to get into the fray over candidates and pick them apart and advise you how to vote.  My aim is to help us as Christ-followers remember who we are, anchor our minds in God’s Word, and make sure we grasp what it means to be, first and fore­most, citizens of heaven whose Commander-in-Chief is Jesus Christ.

Many Christians are leaping head-long, heart-and-soul, into the polit­i­cal vortex—but this is dangerous!  To be sure, God leads some believers to be active in politics, and it’s right to care and be informed about what’s going on.  But when we act like politics is everything, we deceive the world and mislead our loved ones:  it’s false advertising.

You see it on social media, in the news, and even at the dinner table:  Christians all fired up with political passion, eager to applaud one candidate and denigrate the other.  But what is it saying to friends and family, even Facebook friends, if the main thing that grips your heart is politics?  By contrast, is it obvious to those who know you that you care much more deeply about the majesty and mercy of King Jesus than about any American election result?

I’m issuing a challenge—to myself, and to anyone who needs it (if the shoe fits…):  Let’s use our best energy to draw attention to Jesus, and show that we trust him and love him, that we’re thankful to the core for his saving grace, that our grand desire is to be with him in glory—and that we long to see others receive his eternal love!