Why Christians Must Be Involved In The Political Process

Why Christians MUST Be Involved in the Political Process

Various Scriptures

October 22, 2006

Introduction

Well, you can tell from the title that I’m going to discuss politics again.

And as much as you may not want to hear about stuff like this, it’s not nearly as much as I would rather not talk about stuff like this.

So why do I do it? Because, as we’ll see later, to not take these issues seriously and become involved is to allow immorality and death to claim a victory.

This is a momentous time in the history of our state and in our country.

I’m sure you understand by now that the entire world is watching what happens in South Dakota on November 7, particularly in terms of the abortion ban.

A number of other states are waiting to enact their own bans similar to ours, if it succeeds at the election.

And Christians in South Dakota have an unprecedented opportunity to have world-wide influence for life and the sanctity of marriage as God defines it.

Which brings me once again to the fact that these are not political issues – they’re moral issues, and we need to have our voices heard and lend whatever influence we can.

But Brian, you’re beating this drum over, and over and over and over. When are you going to stop?

When I feel that I’ve said everything I can say to convince you that we simply cannot roll over and play dead in an election that can have tremendous impact for good or evil based on the involvement of people who claim to love God and follow Jesus.

So in light of all that, I want us to look at three facts that we need to keep in mind as we look at why Christians must be involved.

And I need to say that I don’t use the word “must” lightly here. I wish you could have been at the rally at First Baptist last Tuesday. And I wish that I could somehow impart not just what was said, but the spirit behind it.

I’m convinced that if you were a follower of Jesus, you could not have left there unconvinced not only of the need to get involved, but also of the tremendous weight of what’s at stake if we sit on the sidelines.

But before we dive into these, let me just read one quote from the ancient philosopher Plato:

“The penalty that good men pay for not being interested in politics is to be governed by men worse than themselves.” (SermonCentral.com Contributed by: Tim Najpaver)

Let’s jump into three reasons why Christians need to be involved in the political process.

1. We are to be the influencers, not the influenced.

Let me ask you something: do you really want to be part of a society in which politicians, the media, and vocal special interest groups do all the influencing?

We’re dangerously close to that right now. TV, radio, and the internet are being used powerfully by those who wish to influence our society to greater ungodliness. And you can’t deny it.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I refuse to let politicians do my thinking for me. I refuse to let the media do my thinking for me. I refuse to let vocal special interest groups do my thinking for me.

And let me add something here for you that I’ve also said before: don’t let me do your thinking for you. Don’t take my word for any of this. Check it out against Scripture and come to your own conclusions based on the Word of God and prayer.

The fact of the matter is that we’re supposed to do the influencing. We’re not supposed to be the ones being influenced.

Matthew 5:14-16 –

14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Three things I want to point out here that we need to grasp if we want to be influencers…

> We cannot hide. (v. 14-15)

Jesus says you don’t hide a light! What good is a light that’s hidden? It’s no good at all.

If we want to be people who have a godly and Christ-like influence, then we cannot live in the shadows.

Followers of Jesus are supposed to be light and live in the light. And where light is, shadows cannot be.

If we want to be influencers, we cannot hide. Second…

> We need to contribute in a positive manner.