Seven points Jesus might make concerning the American election
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Some pastors refrain from preaching on political topics. However, on national holidays and in national election years, many parishioners yearn for some biblical perspective.
First, we must establish Jesus' authority to speak to political issues. One of the revitalized heresies is compartmentalizing life into areas where God supposedly should and should not be involved. This was the argument in Matthew 22:15-22. On the surface Jesus' response seems to justify a separation of church (render to God) and state (render to Caesar).
But what is Jesus really saying? According to Jacques Ellul in The Subversion of Christianity (p. 114) if the Caesars, some of whom claimed to be god, are owed obedience, loyalty and a percentage of wages, then the true and Most High God is owed so much more…everything!
Jesus in the Matthew passage above echoes Psalm 24 (the entire earth belongs to the LORD) and Paul in Philippians 2:9 asserts that God has bestowed on Jesus the name/authority above all others. Therefore, Jesus as Lord claims the right not only to talk about any country, but also to demand allegiance.
Below are some other statements Jesus might pose to America.
1. Your nation is not to become your God.
Most of us are proud of our nation, and pledging allegiance to something higher than our country sounds subversive. But the first commandment includes putting no other gods above the LORD. If any economic or political system were to conflict with the way of the LORD, it must be superseded and transformed.
2. God gives no automatic favorite-nation status.
Our Pilgrim fathers looked upon America as a place of destiny. Across the years the United States has surely played an important role in combating dangerous "isms." However, recall that the downfall of the nation of Israel always came when Israel began to believe it was chosen on merit to enjoy privilege. Instead, Israel was chosen by grace to carry out great responsibility: "I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth" (Isaiah 49:6).
3. Your land is only loaned to you.
Jesus was fond of referring to the book of Deuteronomy, and he might remind us of chapter 8:11-20 where we are told not to be haughty and say, "By our own power and might" we have gotten all we have. When we read to the end of the passage, we find: "If you do forget the LORD your God...you shall surely perish" (v.19).
4. It is okay to develop a fresh capacity for anger.
There are numerous examples in the gospels precipitating Jesus' cutting sarcasm and anger, just as there are lies and actions today that should simply outrage us. Ephesians 4:26 reads: "Be angry, but do not sin." It is appropriate for us to have righteous indignation in the face of injustices. This should spur us toward reversing the situation, but our anger should not fester into hatred.
5. Don't assume America's "way" is always the best.
The infant mortality rate has been lower in Nepal than in cities such as Pittsburgh and Washington, DC. A worker in the United States is 36 times more likely to be killed on the job than a worker in Sweden. In Canada in 2012, the leading candidate for Prime Minister spent only $236,000. Yet, more than six billion dollars is spent on the American presidential election process.
6. Don't expect your future to go smoothly.
It is a puzzle to many why Jesus, with a gospel of forgiveness and love, should have stirred up such bitter hatred among the most religious and virtuous people in his nation. But in Matthew 10:34 Jesus warned his followers that he came to bring not peace … but a sword. He is always on the cutting edge! The Kingdom Rule of God will eventually overthrow any and all old orders in which self, not the Savior, is sovereign. Luke 16:16 (RSV) reminds us that everyone who enters the Kingdom of God enters violently.
7. You haven't seen anything yet.
America has lots of resources and perhaps still more opportunities, yet the Bible looks ahead to the new earth that Jesus will usher in. First Corinthians 2:9 proclaims the promise first given in Isaiah 64:4 that no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor heart imagined, what has been prepared for those who love the Most High God.
The best future for the United States is not the agenda of the elephant nor of the donkey but that of the Lamb…of God.
 | Jim Farrer is the founder of Vital Signs Church Consulting and a member of the Society for Church Consulting. A broadly-trained church consultant, Jim is also a veteran of ministry positions in Canada and the U.S., he has trained leaders from 18 denominations and led seminars and coaching sessions nationwide. His articles have been published in the Journal of Evangelism and Missions and the Great Commission Research Journal. You can reach him by e-mailing revup1@yahoo.com or calling 814 629-5211. Learn More » |
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