Church must focus on gospel, not politics

Clinton? McCain? Obama? Paul?

For whom should a Christian vote? Does the role of the church change during an election year? Is it important to vote?

Of course. Should you vote your Christian convictions? Definitely; however, the tendency to seek a legislative remedy for every social ill is one of the worst impacts of contemporary society. The New Testament provides four reminders that are useful this election season.

The first reminder is that preaching, not lobbying, is the way to make the truth known. In 1 Corinthians 1:21, the Bible says your call is to proclaim the gospel. The gospel unleashes the power of God in a lost society. The Apostle Paul said, “For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.”

The conventional wisdom says that if we want to get our point across in egalitarian America it must be done through the political process. However, Scripture says that preaching in the public square, not lobbying in the state house, is the way to impact others. This message in 1 Corinthians 1:21 is not primarily a sermon to a congregation. It includes presenting the gospel to your neighbors. The best way to change the culture is not through the political process. The best way to change the culture is through the clear preaching of the cross.

Paul continued, “But we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness” (1 Corinthians 1:23). When Paul came to the sophisticated Greek culture he said, “But I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:1). Jesus charged the church to focus on the gospel, not the government.

The second reminder is that the gospel, not law, changes sinful hearts. In 1973, Roe vs. Wade shocked the evangelical church. Many turned to political activism. While voting is important, God’s method for changing the culture is not through politics.

The evangelical church has put tremendous energy into politics. The power of government cannot transform a human heart. Only the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus are powerful enough to change a person.

At the beginning of the 20th century the Christian churches used their political clout to pass the 19th Amendment. This made it illegal to produce or transport alcohol. It unleashed a wave of organized crime in this nation the likes of which it had never been seen. Twenty years later the law was repealed. The gospel of Jesus is the only way to redeem an alcoholic. If your goal is the transformation and redemption of society, the law is not the proper tool. The death of Jesus upon the cross is the proper tool. Only Jesus brings reconciliation between a sinful men and a holy God.

The third reminder is that service, not dominion, is the most effective way to win people.

Jesus said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant” (Matthew 20:25-26).

If you want to influence others for God’s kingdom, how do you do so? Jesus did not come to take over the political machinery of his culture. The kingdom of God is not advanced through political power. Will Durant, the great historian, said, “No one has yet reconciled Christianity with government.” Jesus teaches the best way to influence others: “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). Jesus did not come to overthrow Herod. He came healing and teaching. Service, not dominion, is the best way to influence others.

The final reminder is that Christ, not moralism, should be the primary substance of our message. The Pharisees stood for traditional family values. Moralistic pleading is not going to transform our nation. Paul said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for every one who believes” (Romans 1:16). Paul was happy to go to Rome in chains because it was an opportunity to share the gospel. Jesus is the Messiah. His death for our sins provides salvation.

The advancement of Christ’s kingdom has never depended upon political influence or even civil liberties. The church often thrives under a hostile government. The church in China multiplied under persecution. The church in Japan languished under religious freedom. The church in eastern Europe grew rapidly under communism. The church in western Europe is stone cold today. Should a Christian vote? Of course. If your calling is politics, go for it. The church, though, must always focus on presenting the gospel, not controlling the government.

Ethan Hansen is pastor at Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake, He can be contacted at ethanchansen@gci.net.