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From the Pastors at Joy

The Christian and Government, Part 1 - First Things First

"My kingdom is not of this world." -John 18:36

These are certainly interesting times in America.  Election season is upon us, and it is safe to say that the political landscape is both diverse and explosive.  Many Christians are divided as to what constitutes a good candidate, and whether someone could even be a real believer if they vote for certain candidates.  Some Christians believe that if we get the election right, we will become a "Christian nation" again. Yet other Christians are so disillusioned or confused by the whole affair that they decide to sit on the sidelines.  So what is the right way to think and act in the democratic process, and specifically as it pertains to this year's election?  I plan to make 3 posts that I hope will shape our thinking.  First things first - we must remember a great truth about where our real hope lies!

In Jesus' last days on earth, he experiences adulation from the masses, a celebration of His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. They thought this man, this healer, this life giver, was coming to overthrow the rule of the Romans. They thought He was coming in to be their political Messiah. The tables turned shortly after, as these same people were hurling insults at Him and begging for a criminal to be released instead of Jesus. Jesus stands before Pilate, who in an earthly sense had authority to release Jesus or have Him killed....and in this moment Jesus asserts the truth that He is indeed a King.  But His Kingdom is not of this world! So when the powers of this world and the authorities of this world conspire against Him, it only serves His purposes (Acts 4:27-28)! It will not thwart the advancement of His Kingdom - it will make it possible!  Jesus essentially told Pilate, “You have power because God put you here. You are here, a man of, at best, cowardice, because God has given you this power to accomplish His purposes for His kingdom.” In other words, what transpires in earthly kingdoms, whether we deem them good or bad, will not do anything to hinder God’s kingdom from advancing!

Is that good news to you? There is no force on earth that will keep God’s kingdom from going forward! He will accomplish His good purposes. But I wonder if we in this American society (and I want to be very clear that I am so thankful to live in this country, so thankful for earthly freedoms that many go without) live as if the government He put in place should be the means of His kingdom advancing. The Scriptures tell us that we are aliens in a foreign land if we are believers in Christ. It should come as no surprise that others do not share our values. It should come as no surprise that governments do not reflect our hearts. Our hearts have been cleansed by the blood of Christ, and that is the greatest need of this world! The kingdom of God advances, not when laws are enacted, but when lives are changed. We live as a kingdom within a kingdom.

Jesus did not spend a lot of time trying to change the one kingdom. Oh He will do so, one day (Isaiah 9:6-7). Rejoice brothers and sisters, because in Christ we are part of a Kingdom that cannot be shaken! Jesus spent His days on earth as the King of this peculiar kingdom within the kingdom. God’s primary concern is the spread of His glory through the advance of His kingdom, and He calls each of His children, by His grace, to be a part of heralding His kingdom. This must be our primary concern!  To speak of a rest in Christ, through faith in His atoning death and victorious resurrection, that cannot be touched whether we are under the greatest president of all time or the most oppressive tyrant of all time. 

You might think that I’m saying we should have no involvement in government - don’t vote, don’t care - that isn’t what I’m saying.  The next couple posts will bear that out.  But we must not have hope in this earthly kingdom that takes precedence over our hope in Christ's eternal kingdom!  You who have the Holy Spirit have the firstfruits of the kingdom within you.  Where the Spirit is at work, God's kingdom advances.  And it will advance until it is consummated in glory (Revelation 21:1-22:5)!  You are members of an everlasting kingdom, brothers and sisters! You cannot be shaken, no matter what this election may bring, because the work of Christ on your behalf is perfect and complete!  Rejoice in this above all else!