Arguing over politics and which side is Jesus really on?

There is no secret that our country has been polarized over the issue of politics even to the point where we are in the midst of a fierce government shutdown. Politics can be a very divisive topic even among believers. I had a chance to speak with a good buddy of mine who is on the other side of the political spectrum just this week about the politics being played in Washington and I will be honest it is sometimes hard for me not to get into a fierce debate over issues we disagree on. One of the hardest things for Christians to do or at least those who are interested in the political process is to resist putting Jesus in a political box. During his time on earth the Pharisees and Herodians who had differences in political matters attempted to trap Jesus the same way. They wanted to know which side he was on.  First we must never do to Jesus what he wouldn’t do to himself but we should also resist political indifference. Timothy Keller said it brilliantly when he stated that “Christians are not to acquise in the system nor are we to revolt against the system. We are not to drop out of the political process nor are we to think it is the only way to solve society’s issues”.

The problem that some Christians make is the assumption that electing a particular candidate will solve the one thing they may believe is plaguing society. The flaw with this type of thinking is that politicians must first gain political power and cooperation from others in order to accomplish anything. The political process is limited because it seeks to promote change from the outside in but Jesus understood that true and lasting change must occur from the inside out. With Jesus true power was gained once he lowered himself to serve humanity and freely surrendered his life. It is a movement that grew as Christians began to model him in service. Jesus desires those who follow him to care for the marginalized, poor, and those who have no voice. Luke 14: 12-13 states “When you give a dinner or banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind”. Those who have been blessed with money, certain talents, and time are to give and serve those who have no way of paying them back in return.  Above all believers are to share Christ's redemptive work on the cross in order to truely change the hearts of men. 

Finally, we do have an obligation as followers of Christ to be involved in the political process however we shouldn’t behave as the world does. When people start to be transformed by Jesus and realize how humbling Gospel is then the desire is to work with others who may have different political viewpoints. Instead of viewing them with contempt or with a sense of self righteousness, there is cooperation to work and bring change to some of the ills in society such as racism, injustice, poverty, gun violence, and health care.