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The affairs of Caesar
Are you a republican or a democrat? Conservative or liberal? Do you support the death penalty? Are you for or against Rowe vs. Wade? Illegal Immigration anyone? These topics are often avoided in our public conversations. But, we think about these issues all the time don’t we? How could you not? Unless, you never watch TV, never read a newspaper, never go online or listen to the radio. We think about this stuff often, but don’t talk about it publicly for fear of offending or upsetting someone.
As a Christian, what should I have to say regarding these issues? On which side should I stand? I mean, Christians all think alike, right? If you follow Jesus you should have a clear stance on all these issues, right? All Christians know what Jesus would do, don’t we? But, if half the Christians in the room are praying for the democrat to be elected but the other half are praying for the republican to win, what happens? We think Jesus would side with our team, right?
Would Jesus really concern himself with these issues? The bible tells us that he didn’t when he walked the earth. Jesus was, is and always will be about his Father’s business.
God has told us the fate of this world, yet we go about our time on earth like we can change it. You don’t believe that to be true? Then why do we get upset about the issues of the day? Why do we fret so much over the decisions our politicians make?
As Christians, our stance is not to the right, left, or center on any issue of this world. We too should be about our Father’s business, as Jesus was. Our stance should be to pray. To pray that God’s kingdom come and God’s will be done. No matter what our opinion may be on the world’s issues. No matter how we choose to vote. God is in control. When things in this country, or, in the world, don’t go as we think they should. When situations occur that make us think the Christian faith has suffered a devastating blow. God is still in control. The bible tells us to rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him. So, why do we worry? Why do we get upset when our candidate doesn’t win? Should we be concerned with the problems of the world? Not if we truly believe that the only solution to the world’s problems is Jesus. Do we truly believe that? We think that we know who should be elected, who should have citizenship, who should have healthcare, who should pay taxes. In our mind, we know what it takes to make the world right. In truth, these are all decisions that Christians need not be concerned with.
Here’s a fact: no matter who the president is, we will still have the poor, the sick, and our enemy will still hate us. Jesus told us to spread the gospel, tend to the poor and to the sick, and love our neighbor (including our enemy). These are the things Jesus did. These are the things that should break our heart. Instead, we get so caught up in issues of the world, we limit, our ability to do these things. Just stop and think for a moment how our political beliefs, or, how we feel about certain worldly issues, get in the way of what Jesus has told us we should be doing.
Jesus did not concern himself with the affairs of Caesar. His rebukes were directed at the religious leaders (the leaders of God’s chosen people who were hypocrites), not the secular leaders. Even still, we are called to obey the authority of our secular leaders, be they republican or democrat. Not because they are always right, but, because authority in the earth comes from God.
God is in control, he knows how this will all play out. He gives everlasting life to those who believe. Isn’t that enough? So why do we worry?
So why do we worry. That is a phrase that will stick with me. If I am praying and asking the God of the universe to accomplish his will I need to be at peace. The word of God clearly tells us and shows us what Jesus did to be about His Father’s business. The more I read the Gospels the more I understand the mind and will of God and know what to do and how to live. Prayer is what pulls all this together. Prayer is our most important activist activity. Thanks Victor for the reminder.
Very insightful comments Victor. It’s unfortunate that we so often forget about the power of prayer and service. I’m a true believer (as Luke 11:9-10 indicates) that if you just keep praying, God will indeed give you an answer (which may not be the one you want to here). Thinking about this a bit more, I suppose that alot of this comes down to priorities. We must certainly place our spiritual walk and christian responsibility above anything the world has to offer. So on one hand God is indeed in control, his way will be done and ours prayers must reflect that first and foremost. But does that mean we should ignore our worldly surroundings? I ask because I struggle with the answer myself. Does it mean we don’t have a role to speak up when we see injustice, should we not promote christian principles even in the political arena. Do we not take a stand in any direction, but rather remain silent yet prayerful observers, evangelizing and attending to the needs of the poor? (Actually, I believe the early 1st century church/movement did just that). As part of our evangelistic obligation, can we not influence the world by injecting God’s word into every aspect of our worldly existence? Has God not given some of us GIFTS to respond to some of these difficult social questions. I think there is a role we should play, but I must admit I don’t always know how that translates into choosing republican versus democrat, Obama vs McCain, abortion vs life, etc. I think too, that at the crux of this dilema is not only prayer, but also the wisdom God gives us. Proverbs 2:6-15, and 1:23-29 may be good references to mediate on, because we’re encouraged to seek out wisdon, listen to God’s counsel,and he promises to make us wise. 2:9 tells us (paraphrase) “then you will understand what is right, just, fair, and you’ll find the right path”. I believe that an unfailing trust and committment to these words will give us the wisdom we need to respond to matters of the world. And we shouldn’t act until that wisdom is provided. But the opposite is equally dramatic. Proverbs 1:29 tells us that when we ignore his advice (which is the word itself), when we reject his correction, then he will laugh when we are in trouble, and we will be mocked when disaster begins to overtake us. I would suggest that some of that is happening now. We are NOW eating of the fruit of our own ways. How sad, because it didn’t have to be this way!! The children of Israel is our example. But to your point, I also believe that with prayer, it’s not too late. Our salvation is certainly sufficient, but I can’t help to wonder how much our christian response to some worldly concerns may increase the numbers within God’s kingdom.
I agree that there is no reason to worry. No doubt God is in control, but that does not mean that we should be uninvolved. I believe God is a God of justice and He is concerned for the poor, the enslaved, and the unborn.
I believe the key is answering this question:
Is this a Biblical issue, something the Bible speaks to, or an a-Biblical issue, something the Bbile is silent on.
God doesn’t care if you are democrat or republican. He doesn’t care whether we have a graduated income tax or a flat tax. I haven’t seen anything about that in Scripture, but God does care about our submission to authority and He cares about justice. We should be about the Father’s work and often that work involves the secular arena.
Ex: While working as a cop, I personally saw girls in their early teens prostituting themselves on Spring Street. I appreciate Shirley Franklin working hard to try to end that and I will support any Democrat or Republican with a similar stance. It is not a matter of politics. It is a matter of God’s justice.
Hi Ben,
I agree God’s work involves the secular arena. I was in no way advocating that we be uninvolved. We definitely need to be involved… particularly in the secular arena. But, it’s about how we involve ourselves. I can put it no more plainly but to say, do what Jesus did. Do what Jesus told us to do.
We can have more impact than any politician or political party ever could, by just going out and doing what Jesus told us to do.
I actually don’t think the bible is silent on any matter. That’s one of the most amazing things about it. It’s just that often times all of us miss the answer because our focus is not where it should be.
Hi John,
We should absolutely not ignore our worldly surroundings. However, I do think we need a better realization and understanding of what it takes to carry out our purpose as Christians.
You stated, “…it didn’t have to be this way”. Oh, but it did. We just didn’t know how it would play out. But God knew it. And God knows we will continue to mess things up and he knows exactly how we’ll do it. Does that mean we should sit back and just let things happen? Not at all. Our purpose is to be the salt and the light to a dark and dying world.
“Dark and dying world”? Did I say that? Man, I sure hope I’m not sounding like some hell-fire internet preacher. But hey, the truth is the truth. Funny thing is… I’m not depressed. I’m not discouraged. I’m not pessimistic about the future. Two things keep me: Salvation, and the opportunity to do little tiny things or great big things that might result in someone else getting salvation with me. I mean, dang, that is what it’s all about…really. That makes me lift my hands and praise God. That breaks my heart. That fills my heart. Ok, I’m starting to sound sappy I better stop. But no, you know what I mean don’t you?