Christian Political Causes (How to determine involvement?)
Issues to consider before supporting political causes
Purpose:
Is the follower of Christ free to support current political causes with time, resources, and action? If so, how does one decide on the legitimacy of aligning with a particular group or movement? What care should be exercised in making such decisions?
Questions to answer:
1. How does one evaluate a specific cause to support?
In one sense this is the simplest part of the process. Is it a cause that the Word of God considers worthy? Does Scripture support it? If the Bible does not support this cause, then the believer has no obligation to do so.
2. Will one’s support enhance the reputation and spread of Christ & His gospel?
The core obligation of Jesus’ people to every human must be to communicate the Savior’s gospel of eternal life and forgiveness of sin found only in His death, burial, and resurrection. See Matthew 28:16-20 and 1 Corinthians 15:1-7. This also includes living a life “so that in everything [Jesus’ disciples] may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior” (Titus 2:10). Paul instructed Timothy to pray for “for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life” (1 Timothy 2:1-4). Why did Paul consider the outcome of peace and quiet so vital? Because the Savior “desires all people to be saved” (3-4). Paul understood that civil peace increased the likelihood of the gospel spreading and more people getting saved. The gospel alone secures a person’s eternity; because of the gospel’s eternal impact we must determine as best we can whether or not our involvement in a particular cause will aid the gospel’s reputation and expansion.
3. Will one’s support of a particular group include causes that Scripture identifies as evil?
Having determined that a cause is indeed biblical (see #1 above), before committing to that group we must investigate the group further. Does the group support other causes that do violate scriptural truth? Paul warns Timothy not to “take part in the sins of others” (1 Timothy 5:22). Thus, if we support a godly cause and our support likewise goes toward ungodly causes, we bear responsibility to some degree for “the sins of others.”
4. If so, how can one support a righteous cause without supporting the group that supports other causes that are wrong?
The direct answer to our question lies in Jesus’ famous words in Matthew 5:14-16. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
We can summarize Jesus’ main thought by saying, “You are light in a dark world; live as light in obvious ways so as to reveal your Heavenly Father.” Though we share the light with fellow members of Jesus’ church, His words are very individualistic; we each shine our lights so others see. We often face times when no group exists that we could join with a clear conscience. In such circumstances we must “go it alone” or from our pool of brothers and sisters in Christ we see their wisdom and support in determining a godly course of action.
5. Is there freedom among God’s people to arrive at different conclusions?
Of course! Because Scripture does not specifically address every circumstance that we encounter. Not only is discernment of Scripture needed, but we also need godly wisdom in discerning the circumstances we face. Then add to the mix different backgrounds and influences each has encountered in life and the simple reality of people’s maturity levels. All this variation demands that we heed Paul’s words, “So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for building up one another” (Romans 14:19).
One final word of exhortation: Satan is engaging Jesus’ people in battle! As “the god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4), his primary weapon is to trick God’s people to act based on a “reversed polarity” of thinking what is right is not right, and what is not right is right. He is exceptionally skilled in using this tactic! 1 Peter 5:8-9 wisely commands us, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, . . .”
Author: Gary Darnell, Elder & Teaching Pastor