God And Politics Series

ILLUST> I want to be really clear about something as I say all of that. We will see this in the next few verses but I want to say this before we go any further. I believe that we are one Nation under God, a God who has obviously delegated to the government the defense and protection of liberty, dignity, and justice for all. I am not suggesting that there is not a time and place for the sword. There is and everyone single one of us should be glad that it is there and give honor to every person willing to protect and defend that in any capacity. So, whether they serve in the armed forces, law enforcement, firefighters, first responders of any kind you name it, we should give the honor and respect. I want to be clear about what I am not saying. If you still disagree please send your emails to Jesus@metooplace.com. He will get back with you.

I’m not saying your zeal for politics is a waste of time. I am not saying that your opinion and vote don’t matter. I am not saying that you shouldn’t run for office. We need good people in office. I am saying, at the end of the day politics is a kingdom of this world thing. Are we living in a way that ascribes worth to others and coming under and/or serving others at a cost to ourselves? That’s a Kingdom of God thing. We have to understand that politics is a kingdom of this world thing and keep it in it’s proper place. Let’s keep reading…

4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

How are we supposed to respond to authorities over us? God uses words like submit, pay taxes, respect, and honor. In 1 Timothy chapter 2 Paul adds that we should pray for them too. But what if they are from a different political party? What if they don’t believe the things that we believe? What if their values are far different than ours? What if we disagree on some fairly significant issues? Just bash them on Facebook. Nope. God doesn’t really carve out an exception for us. This pushes against what we naturally do. So, maybe we need to reconsider what we naturally do. Here’s what I am getting to…

WE MUST FIGHT DIVIDING OVER DIFFERENCES. I don’t know that there has been anything that has been more damaging to the message of Jesus and this intended revolutionary force that he established called church than the tendency that people who claim to follow Jesus have to focus on and divide over differences. We see it in the church today in our discomfort with people who struggle with things we don’t struggle with or really don’t understand. We see it in church history in tragic and bloody things like the Crusades. This church that we are sitting in today came out of thing called the Restoration Movement in the early 1800’s. A movement with a purpose to restore this thing we do called church to what it was in the book of Acts. At least two different groups that were originally a part of the movement have splintered off in the last 100 years. Why, because of a difference of opinion on certain issues like musical instruments in the church. We have a bad habit of focusing on and dividing over differences.