Chris' Corner - Sunday, August 2, 2020
The election is right around the corner. While our minds might be focused on whether to vote on election day, or by mail, or on who gets our vote, there are far more pressing concerns facing the Christian.
Our primary focus must be on the church’s spiritual work. Jesus told the Roman governor, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here" (John 18:36).
The Lord’s kingdom is the church (Matthew 16:18,19; Colossians 1:13; Ephesians 1:22, 23). The church’s mission is teaching the saving message of the gospel to the lost (Mark 16:15, 16; Romans 1:16), edify the saved (Ephesians 4:12, 16; Acts 20:32; 1 Thessalonians 5:11), and help the needy (Acts 11:29; Galatians 2:10).
There may be secular causes that might be good and right, in and of themselves, but there is nothing more important than saving souls. As we pointed out in last week’s sermon, the political realm is not the domain of the church. In this sense there is a separation of church and state.
With that said, the Scriptures teach us that we have obligations to our government. Someone has said there are three; 1) we pray 2) we pay 3) we obey (with honor and respect). But in the end, our loyalty is to God first. We still “obey God rather than men” when there’s a conflict between human law and God’s. It is perfectly scriptural for Christians to be involved in the political process.
Since “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34), it is proper and ethical to do what we can to promote those things which are moral and right. At the same time, we must defeat those things which are immoral, sinful, and evil. When it comes to moral issues, it would be a contradiction for God’s people to support candidates or laws promoting abortion, euthanasia, or same-sex marriage, among other things.
God requires humans to respect the sanctity of life, whether in the womb, or among the elderly (Jeremiah 1:5; Proverbs 6:16-19; Leviticus 19:32; Matthew 19:18). He condemns homosexual activity (Leviticus 18:22-24; Romans 1:26-32). If we do not voice the scriptural truths on these issues, we are guilty of tolerating immorality, giving it a passive endorsement, and encouraging sinful actions.
After a discussion on immorality and then listing many of those sins, Paul said, “who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them” (Romans 1:32).
Be aware that many people are hurting while practicing these sins. They may appear hard-core on the surface, but inwardly are suffering and confused. They need the message of freedom, salvation, and forgiveness (John 8:32).
The Savior pleads, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).