The political Christian
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As I've said before, I make it a point not to post much on politics here. I don't believe God endorses any political party (which is fortunate, since I'm not a member of one). I've been known to take people (particularly other bloggers in churches of Christ) to task for either implying or out-and-out stating that their political ideology is more in line with God's plan than their political opposition's. While I'm not Lipscombian, I find that God's teachings urge us to focus less on the physical and more on the spiritual
Plus, it probably says something that the Christians I've known that became heavily involved in politics tended to wind up in jail.
However, that doesn't mean I'm apolitical. I have strongly-held beliefs developed over the years based on historical and economic facts. I'll be the first to admit that I spend entirely too much time on politics as a whole. Sometimes I need a good reminder of what's really important, which is why this post from Edwin Crozier hit home with me today.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not trying to say that individual Christians are not allowed to participate in the political process. I encourage you to vote. I encourage you, if you have a heart’s desire for it, to be political. But please, recognize that Christian is not a political party. God did not establish Christianity to impact national politics. Jesus did not die so nations could become Christian. Jesus died so we could carry the gospel message to one more person and let them be forgiven.
It's an important reminder in our partisan-crazed society today, no?
Politics and Christians
I agree that we are not to allow ourselves to get too political. I no longer belong to the Republican party, not because I disagree necessarily, with their policies, but because I owe no man my allegiance. Christ alone owns me. I must vote my conscience when I have the opportunity and I believe in supporting any group that works to endorse laws that support Christian ideals. But, I really get sick of people who are better at being flag waving patriots than they are at representing Christ. Especially people who take sides as in "Us against Them", boycotting businesses that cater to homosexuals, illegal immigrants, and so on. What? If you owned a hot dog stand you'd refuse to sell one to a person wearing a rainbow? How does that look? We're not to judge outsiders, but try to show them the love of God by loving them in spite of their sin. That doesn't mean we approve of their lifestyle. It just means we are not to be respecters of persons based on anything. Christ died for everyone, even though many will die in their sins.