This is not a political blog. Never has been, never will. I don't care to dive into the divisiveness that is politics that serves to stir ill-will on pretty much all sides. I've swaggered into political forums before, only to retreat licking wounds caused by my own ignorance. It's just not worth my time. That doesn't mean that I don't have opinions. I do, and I vote based upon how my life in Christ compels me.
But what is a believer supposed to do when politics and faith collide?
As a follower of Christ I must stand on what I believe is His truth as outlined in the Bible. It doesn't take long to discover that many if not most of the laws on the books in America have their basis in biblical principle and teaching. That's not because the Christian faith has being forced upon anyone, but rather because so many of the teachings outlined in Scripture are good and worthy of following, regardless of one's religious belief system. We recognize a universal standard of right and wrong and, while many will argue about the origin of that cosmic consciousness, so much of that ethical and moral code is replete through the pages of the Bible.
With the dawn of another presidential election near, clarion blasts are being sounded louder and louder by each potential candidate as ballot casting days approach. Many of these candidates suddenly appear to wear the robes of faith, which are in my estimation feeble (and disingenuous) attempts to woo a certain part of the populace. If you are a man and woman guided by the conviction of your faith, the world should not first learn about it in a television ad.
And then there are the morality-tinged laws that politicians banter back in forth in chambers. The latest is the issue of recognizing same-sex marriage, but even this hot topic stands in the shadow of many others that have gone before, such as abortion and civil rights. We all have opinions on these things. The news is ablaze with the hot rhetoric spewing from both sides and it seems that many who man Sunday morning pulpits are not reticent to lend their voice to the melee as well.
Believers who either foray into politics or are leaders in the church are well within their rights to take the lead in standing on what truth proclaims. But here is my primary concern when this occurs - when politicians and church leaders lash out with vehemence upon issues that they believe are disintegrating the moral fiber of our culture, are they leaving any room for God's grace to shine through?
I have friends that are gay. I do not support their lifestyle choice and they know how I feel about it. I also have friends that struggle with pornography and have had affairs, both of which are also sexual sins of choice and both of which I oppose (yet remain inconspicuously absent from political and religious conversations). I love my friends - gay, straight, struggling, broken - and my desire is that they know the beauty of God's grace found in His gospel. This does not mean that I don't take a stand against (or even for) an amendment that would grant rights to a group of people who are demanding rights that run contrary to what biblical morality and ethics teaches. What it does mean is that I choose to focus on people first, not politics.
Yes, decisions will have to be made and they will effect all of us to some degree or other. But what will effect us even more is when we lash out in such a sanctimonious manner at what (and who) offends us that all gospel opportunities will deflect off of the deaf ears of those whom we have assaulted.
We live in a time of cultural morass to be sure. Our world is broken - broken by sin - and only Jesus can rescue fallen man. If we believe that, then should we not be most concerned with the dispensation of His grace to those who are so far from Him? Their agendas might offend us and their aspirations might tear at the foundation of what we know to be true and right, yet redemption is stronger than ideology. If we are not careful how we address these moral dilemmas then we are certain to steer the conversations away from grace and into the even more problematic realm of legalism. Take your stand, but be careful to take it well.
But what is a believer supposed to do when politics and faith collide?
As a follower of Christ I must stand on what I believe is His truth as outlined in the Bible. It doesn't take long to discover that many if not most of the laws on the books in America have their basis in biblical principle and teaching. That's not because the Christian faith has being forced upon anyone, but rather because so many of the teachings outlined in Scripture are good and worthy of following, regardless of one's religious belief system. We recognize a universal standard of right and wrong and, while many will argue about the origin of that cosmic consciousness, so much of that ethical and moral code is replete through the pages of the Bible.
With the dawn of another presidential election near, clarion blasts are being sounded louder and louder by each potential candidate as ballot casting days approach. Many of these candidates suddenly appear to wear the robes of faith, which are in my estimation feeble (and disingenuous) attempts to woo a certain part of the populace. If you are a man and woman guided by the conviction of your faith, the world should not first learn about it in a television ad.
And then there are the morality-tinged laws that politicians banter back in forth in chambers. The latest is the issue of recognizing same-sex marriage, but even this hot topic stands in the shadow of many others that have gone before, such as abortion and civil rights. We all have opinions on these things. The news is ablaze with the hot rhetoric spewing from both sides and it seems that many who man Sunday morning pulpits are not reticent to lend their voice to the melee as well.
Believers who either foray into politics or are leaders in the church are well within their rights to take the lead in standing on what truth proclaims. But here is my primary concern when this occurs - when politicians and church leaders lash out with vehemence upon issues that they believe are disintegrating the moral fiber of our culture, are they leaving any room for God's grace to shine through?
I have friends that are gay. I do not support their lifestyle choice and they know how I feel about it. I also have friends that struggle with pornography and have had affairs, both of which are also sexual sins of choice and both of which I oppose (yet remain inconspicuously absent from political and religious conversations). I love my friends - gay, straight, struggling, broken - and my desire is that they know the beauty of God's grace found in His gospel. This does not mean that I don't take a stand against (or even for) an amendment that would grant rights to a group of people who are demanding rights that run contrary to what biblical morality and ethics teaches. What it does mean is that I choose to focus on people first, not politics.
Yes, decisions will have to be made and they will effect all of us to some degree or other. But what will effect us even more is when we lash out in such a sanctimonious manner at what (and who) offends us that all gospel opportunities will deflect off of the deaf ears of those whom we have assaulted.
We live in a time of cultural morass to be sure. Our world is broken - broken by sin - and only Jesus can rescue fallen man. If we believe that, then should we not be most concerned with the dispensation of His grace to those who are so far from Him? Their agendas might offend us and their aspirations might tear at the foundation of what we know to be true and right, yet redemption is stronger than ideology. If we are not careful how we address these moral dilemmas then we are certain to steer the conversations away from grace and into the even more problematic realm of legalism. Take your stand, but be careful to take it well.
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