While you will have already voted (or let the election pass you by) by the time you read this, I still feel that it is important that I share.
The American church is convinced that they are to vote for whatever political party or presidential candidate most supports their morals and the teachings of scripture. But it seems to me that the separation of church and state must exist, not because I want to live in a country that is full of people who don’t know Jesus, but because the power of God is far beyond the power of government, and I would hate to see Christianity diminished to nothing more than legal issues that are enforced by mere men. I prefer Christianity as it IS presented in scripture: a complete salvation of humanity’s depravity—not enforced on people who desire something else, but praised by people who desire nothing less.
Voting for a political party because they will make your morality into legality is simply agreeing to raise up a country of pharisees. This does not at all negate our morality (which is from Christ alone)—for we must protect our relationship with Jesus at all costs—it is simply going about it in a terribly wrong way. The pharisees brought guilt and condemnation to those who did not follow the strict laws put in place by the twisting of scripture, and were concerned only with whether or not the laws were being followed. This is no different from Christians being so eager to turn their moral beliefs into government-enforced legalities. The change of president should never affect how we live out the gospel. If we are hoping for a change in government so that we might finally be able to live how we are called to live, we will only become more disguised in our initial failure to live as Christians, because if this is the case we have not been living as Christians to begin with.
The dissatisfaction with the way moral issues are dealt with has nothing to do with the government. Yes, making abortion or homosexual marriages illegal will decrease their occurrences. But Jesus is far less concerned with the frequency of sin, and far more concerned with being in an intimate relationship with his people.
Discipline does not make people righteous. Laws do not change people’s hearts. Jesus taught this over and over again. It is only the power of the Holy Spirit in each individual person’s life that can ever defeat the tools of Satan. And if we are relying on the power of government to impress our heart condition on others, we are setting ourselves up for a very great fall, and we are putting very little faith in the power of God. Instead, the church must begin to live the gospel of Jesus Christ. If there is such a problem with abortion, love those who have had them and who are planning on having them. If there is such a problem with homosexual marriages, love a homosexual. If there is such a problem with war, live a life that overflows with joy from peace. I, for one, am sick and tired of Christians talking about all the things they hate, and preaching to each other every Sunday about how wrong certain things are, and then driving in their six-figure vehicles back to their cozy houses with guest bedrooms and big-screen televisions, where they remain safe from the afflictions of the world.
The church must show the world that there is a better way to live. Do not ever think that we can substitute legality for living the gospel in our own lives. Do not ever let government replace the call of Christ. We must bring Jesus to the dark places of the world if we want to get rid of those dark places. It is on us, not the government, to make life with God irresistible. If we live for Him, so much more will be accomplished than obedience to scripture. Christianity is about so much more than sin management. The power of God is so much greater than anything we can imagine…
Don’t vote for Jesus if you refuse to live for Him.
To answer those who know that by the cross Christ is alive in us, and all our actions must reflect His love and therefore truly cannot separate church from state in our own INDIVIDUAL lives:
“…It doesn’t matter if abortion is legalized, it doesn’t matter if homosexuals can marry, it doesn’t matter if innocent blood is being shed in war… As long as followers of Jesus are following Jesus, then our call is far above any laws. The law, much like the old testament, is insignificant and irrelevant. As a matter of fact, the [moment] we step away from legalizing morality is the moment I believe we will see the glory of God shine brighter than it ever has on this planet. …if we’re not having abortions, wars, or homosexual marriages just because the law doesn’t allow it or because we may be fined, imprisoned, or be punished under the law, then we as followers have missed the point. We live under the banner of love and sacrifice, and until we’re willing to die rather than fight for what we believe in, the law will continue to rule and govern and the banner that we live under will remain invisible and insignificant, and the Lord of All (who indeed elected our president this year, every year before, and forever more) will go unnoticed… and that is a far worse than disobeying any law.”
Thanks Mike.
I am so proud of you. Thanks for claiming such a talent that God has given you and letting Him work through that. This is so much more than blogging for the people who read them. P.s. I am so glad the election is over, haha.
Thank You so much for writting the words that I have been trying to express! Ahh this was amazing. you are truly gifted. Thanks Steve