Pastor
on Politics: August thoughts
It is no secret: Politics get dirty! This campaign season is shaping up to be
sickening. I am afraid it is going to be
as bad as it’s ever been, {at least in my lifetime}. The editor of Time magazine predicts that the 2012 presidential
campaign ”is likely to be the most expensive political campaign in U.S.
history — and perhaps the most negative.” Ed Gillespie {and many
others} note that the president is
running a “fear and smear” campaign. But
what does this say about us as a nation?
Is this a good thing? I think
not.
As things get more expensive, and dirtier
how will Christians respond?
Better yet, how should we? Amidst
the frenzy of furious pundits, talk show rants, and negative campaign ads, it’s
easy to get caught up in all the commotion and mud slinging. Should
Christians get nasty about politics?
Questions about Politics
To determine if, when, or
why to get nasty about politics, ponder these questions:
·
Do political issues make you angry? Is this a righteous anger? Does
the anger you feel promote kingdom principles or a party policy?
·
Do you think of fellow believers as opponents or even enemies due
to their different stance(s) on political issues?
·
Do you find yourself thinking negative or even hurtful thoughts
about political candidates with whom you disagree?
·
Do you give more attention to political candidates than to God?
More trust, or hope?
·
Do you give more time and attention to political issues than you
do to God’s Word, to fellowshipping with believers, or to worship?
Many of us could answer
“yes” to at least one of the questions above. Politics can sometimes bring
out some undesirable behavior in any of us. Somehow, when we get passionate
about politics, we tend to neglect proper Christian behavior and Christ like
conduct. Does politics truly give us a pass on right living? I think not. Consider the writings of the Apostle Paul in
Philippians 2:1-5.
The Proper Posture toward Politics
There are extremes of
behavior when responding to politics. Some totally reject having anything to do
with civil government. Some Christians even refuse to pay income tax! On the
other hand, some Christians act as if the right civil government will save the
world from sin and perdition. Along the way, we all run the risk of
becoming aggressive, feisty, and downright nasty about our particular
viewpoint.
What is the proper
posture toward politics or anything else in life for that matter? Here are just a few directions we read in the
Bible concerning the way we are to interact as Christ followers:
·
Put away bitterness (Eph 4.31)
·
Put away wrath (Eph 4.31)
·
Put away anger (Eph 4.31)
·
Put away clamor (Eph 4.31)
·
Put away slander (Eph 4.31)
·
Put away all malice (Eph 4.31)
·
Be kind to one another (Eph. 4:32)
·
Be…tenderhearted (Eph. 4:32)
·
Be…forgiving one another (Eph. 4:32)
·
Put on…compassionate hearts (Col 3:12)
·
Put on…kindness (Col 3:12)
·
Put on…humility (Col 3:12)
·
Put on…meekness (Col 3:12)
·
Put on…patience (Col 3:12)
I think it is okay to get
excited about political issues or even candidates we embrace or identify with. However, Scripture never says it’s okay to
become mean-spirited, vengeful, malicious or even say things in a way to
deceive…. Never. Ever!
What really got me
thinking on this issue was something I saw of Facebook a few days ago.
I think this is utterly
sad and ridiculous. Sometimes I think we do things without even stopping to
think about it. While I do not know the individual who
created it to begin with. I only saw a repost but searched and found this link. What I did see were Christians promoting it. Stop and think for a moment! Does anyone out there really think Governor
Romney feels this way, even for a moment?
Come on! Give me a break,
please! At best, this misrepresents Romney;
I think it is a form of slander and defamation.
At the very least it certainly would be an insult to him. Why do we as
Christians feel the need to stoop to such a low level? In doing so we
compromise our biblical convictions in the name of dirty politics. If you disagree with a candidate who ever that
candidate is beefier with the issues.
Don't say things you wish a candidate would say as if the candidate said
them himself {or herself}. If we in the Christian community continue
these kinds of things how can we stand out and make a difference? And
for the record, I'm not for, Obama, Romney or Ron Paul for that matter. I think all 3 of them have some serious concerns
in their policies and stances that would impact our nation in a negative
direction. {Honestly, on the ballot I
wish they would give us an option to mark “none of the above let's start over”
column} but that's not the happen. What
concerns me is our lack of respect for other men and women whom we disagree
with, as evidenced both by Democrats and Republicans.
Getting Nasty about the Right Things
Maybe we need to get
nasty about the nastiness. In other words, maybe it’s time to react against
such regrettable personal behavior about politics. Maybe it’s time to possess
national fervor without ungodly fury. Maybe it’s time to become more prayerful
than passionate about our favorite candidate. Maybe it’s time to repent of our
national sins rather than getting more irritated about “issues.” Maybe it’s
time to call out the hypocrisy of Christians who declare their passion for God,
while acting out in ways that contradict the Bible that should guide our lives.
As Christians we should live
out their faith in the public square, boldly, and with the attitude of Jesus
Christ. Our goal should be to know
Christ and to be like him in everything we do. In this goal should absorb our
energy, direct our conversations, and correct our attitudes. God does not permit slander, wrath, or
bitterness. As we prepare for one of the nastiest political seasons in American
history, let it be our goal to show Christ in the most pure way possible. We should decide today to put all the ugliness
aside.
May we should be campaigning for
Christ and his Kingdom. This is one campaign that is sure to come out
victorious.
