Should Christians Engage Themselves in Politics

Christians have been made to believe they shouldn’t engage themselves in the political arena and most have bought into this lie. Jesus involved himself in the politics of his day on monetary matters as well as other things. Matthew 21:12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves. Further study of this event reveals some unknowns to most. These businessmen with the approval of the political and religious establishment of that day were deceiving the common folk if you will into exchanging their money for worthless money hence the term moneychangers. Do we not see this exact same thing happening in America today in its various forms and being propagated by politicians in Washington? Remember this scripture is given us for an example to follow. Very seldom is the same action taken recorded repeatedly except for some in the gospels. He may have very well done this in other places as well. The scripture says he did so many things there was not room to write it all down. Common sense tells me it was unnecessary to record every instance where the same thing was accomplished. Can you imagine reading over and over everything Jesus did. What would be the purpose? Again, these examples provide the roadmap for the Christian to follow.

The Apostles and Christians were knee deep in involvement of the political climate of their day and were killed because of their biblical stands against men of corrupt minds but guess what; a survey of all they did gives us the right to know the truth that will unto salvation for all that adhere to it . These men of corrupt minds were the same as we see today in America constantly changing the political climate of their day for their own gain, which always lead to moral decay. Paul challenged both the political and religious establishment of their day on issues and in this particular text of Acts 15 below about circumcision. In Acts chapters 25 and 26 we find the apostle Paul challenging the King himself. If a king is not a politician what is he? He also challenged them concerning immoral sex acts such as homosexuality (Romans 1) and this included the political viewpoints of the leaders of these countries. Today in America this same issue is being fought by the opposing political forces that be. The Democrats are pushing for same sex marriage and the right to kill innocent babies and the Republicans are against this and allowing homosexuals the right to adopt children. For example: Acts 15:2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. The apostle didn’t mince words with these leaders as the text above suggest. In other words, unlike many of us Christians today they put faith on their legs and took it to them. The frustration of these political and spiritual leaders (notice the text says rulers) grew so bad they accused Paul of Acts 17:6 and when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also. This is but one example of the role of the Christian in society today to challenge the political establishment when they go astray of righteous living as given by God’s word. The question that begs an answer is why should Christians engage themselves in the politics of the day? The answer to a good conscience is this we are fighting against Ephesians 6:12 for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places and this includes men that rule over the lives of people. It was men Jesus and the apostles fought against that were under the influence of the imps of Satan. Is it not true the issue of homosexuality being challenged by the church is now being fought in the political landscape which includes the courts? If Christians were not opposed to this abomination there would be no problem. Like it or not as long as a person/persons stand against immorality a political solution will inevitably follow. The answer to a good conscience is for all Christians to reach the unity of the spirit as we are admonished to do on these immoral issues and tear down the strongholds of these rulers of darkness of this world and against spiritual wickedness in high places. If we do this then the battle becomes the Lords. Thus saith the LORD unto you, be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. Of course the main prerequisite is for Christians is to first examine themselves to see if they are of the faith. Second, do all of the above as laid out in Ephesians the sixth chapter and throw in 2nd Chronicles 7:14 for good measure and we will have assured victory. So as you can see from the above this idea that Christians should not engage themselves in politics is pure hogwash. Revelation 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich; and white raiment, that thou may be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. But I would have you to know O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Prayer from a sincere repentant heart will produce fruit. We are to as the scripture admonishes us to James 5:16 confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much and Romans 8:31 what shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? We must avoid; Matthew 15:7-19 you hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, this people draw nigh unto me with their mouth, and honor me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand; It is not that which goes into the mouth defiles a man but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defiles a man. Then came his disciples, and said unto him, do you know that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? But he answered and said every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. Hebrews 4:12 for the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Because as I have already pointed out the battle we are fighting is against the principalities and powers of the air or on high, which makes it spiritual makes it impossible to separate the spiritual from the political. They are inevitably intertwined and as the last book of the bible teaches us the spiritual (false prophet) and political will have such a negative effect on human beings with the anti-Christ and the false church leadership joining forces and it will only be by God’s intervention that it be righted. I for one do not want the Lord to look upon me and say Isaiah 63:5 And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me. Even our first president George Washington knew better when he made the statement; "Do not let anyone claim to be a true American if they ever attempt to remove religion from politics." Benjamin Franklin said, "Whoever will introduce into public affairs (both social and political) the principles of Christianity will change the face of the world." This statement seems to contradict today’s version of separation and church doesn’t it? If the Christian doesn't right the wrongs taking place then pray tell, who will?