Cautions for
Christians in a Political Season
By Daniel Darling
In America, politics is all
around us, whether you want it to be or not. But as we anticipate the election
of 2012, it is reaching a fever pitch. Being a political junkie myself, I find
myself being, at times, so consumed by it that it distracts me from my main
calling as a follower of Christ. So I thought perhaps it would be good to
consider a few guidelines that might govern our conversations, activism and
online discussions in this political season.
1) Don't convince yourself that one election
will solve everything. Elections do have consequences and good
leadership can effect social change. Still, the root of our problems in America is as old as
civilization itself: it’s the problem of sin. And the solution is not a
politician or a platform. It's not the Tea Party or the Republican party or the
Democratic party or any party. The solution is the Gospel. And as good as we
try to make life on earth, it will never be the utopia we desire. This longing
will only be fulfilled when Jesus returns as King and establishes the New
Heaven and Earth.
2) It's Ok to favor a candidate, but don't do
it at the expense of the others. Politics is strange in that you not
only line up behind a candidate you like, you have to do so by convincing
yourself and others that the other candidates are inept, incompetent,
dangerous, malicious and the cousin of Hitler. It could be that good men and
women are running on all sides, but you favor the polices, experience, and
character of one in particular. Can you do that without tearing down the
opponent? That may seem impossible in this environment, but I think it’s worth
a try.
3) Remember there is more to life than politics. I know some people
(myself the chief), who can't have a single conversation without it breaking
into a political discussion. Every social ill is traced back to the ideology
they oppose. But everything doesn't have a political component and every single
wrong thing in the world isn't the fault of the politicians you despise. And
remember that while politics is important, it's not ultimate.
4) Remember you are a Christian. Yes, even in your
political discussions and activism, you're a follower of Christ. Is your faith
so intrinsically tied in with your politics that people think the gospel equals
low taxes, less government, and ending Obamacare? And do you obey the
Scripture's commands to love, forgive, honor, respect,and pray while you're
discussing political leaders with whom you disagree? It doesn't really matter
that "the other side does it." Christians don't play by this
calculus. We're different. We're followers of Jesus, called to a higher
standard. In this, we demonstrate the gospel.
5) Reaffirm your belief in the sovereignty of
God over all things. Every year they tell me this is the most
important election of my lifetime. And maybe this election is really that
vital. We want to elect and appoint men of character and competence. But ultimately
God holds all things in his hands. He's not limited by voter turnout. He can
work with rulers of all kinds and ultimately will use what happens to bring
about his Kingdom. In other words, God won't be in Heaven on Tuesday night,
November 6th, nervously watching CNN. (And no, my conservative friends, he
won't be watching Fox either.)
6) Remember that the most important thing
already happened. Elections may be hugely important in America. But the most
important and most consequential event in history already happened. Jesus rose
from the dead. He's alive. He's coming back as King. And Christians live in
light of this profound reality. So in spite of the decaying world around us, we
have hope. So we can smile. We can shed cynicism. We don't have to give in to
the anger and despair of our age.
