The Religion Called Politics
If you look up the definition for the word religion, it has several meanings. One of those meanings is this one:
religion – any system of belief, worship, etc. often involving a code of ethics; any object that is seriously or zealously pursued.
The Signs Of A Disciple
So how do you know that you’re a follower of this religion of politics?
1. You wake up to see what the latest political news is first and foremost.
2. You spend all day promoting political candidates.
3. Your conversations begin and end with the most current political news.
4. Your internet bookmarks are mostly political websites.
5. Your political party dictates how you will think and vote regardless of what they stand for.
6. The people you hang out with are all just as committed.
How many times have we heard that old saying, “Two things you don’t talk about are religion and politics.” The word religion is normally used for any system that mentions God. However, in the last few decades, it’s been referring more to Christianity and specifically in the political arena, conservative Christians. Candidates who believe in Jesus Christ, especially if they’re running for political office, are vilified and said not to be fit for service for having a solid, biblically doctrinal worldview. John Ashcroft comes to mind.
My Convenient LITTLE god
What we have seen going on for quite some time now is a vehemence against conservative Christians because of their stance on God and Jesus Christ in particular…except when it’s politically expedient. As long as He doesn’t make you look bad. If He can make you look good then you better use Him all day. The outlook is always to use Him to serve instead of being used to serve Him.
The ridiculous comment below of Steve Cohen, a liberal Democrat, who supports Obama comparing him to Jesus, is an example of when it’s supposedly acceptable, to the left, to use Him for political expediency (his statement is a world class lesson in biblical ignorance to boot. Plus…what is up with that Heatmiser hairdo? What is wrong with dat head?):
Steve Cohen Campaigns for Obama on House Floor
Now compare that to Sarah Palin’s backpedaling of her statement about knowing the will of God (another lesson in biblical ignorance):
Sarah Palin ABC Interview Charles Gibson
One attempted to use God for political expediency (and for those of you who don’t know, the Bible states that Jesus Christ is God. Read up) while the other had to get rid of Him and pass off the statement onto someone else in order to stop the bleeding of the statement she made about God.
The Long And The Short
The whole problem with this is that people are ultimately putting their hope in an individual or a system that is flawed because man runs it. No matter how good the system of a democratic republic is, because man is evil (Luke 11:13) it’s fallible. Even so, many people think the world will end if Obama or McCain becomes president. Well let me encourage you today…it ain’t gonna happen.
You see, whoever gets into the Oval Office, God is the one who allowed them to be there. He’s the one who who is sovereign over all (Daniel 4:35). He has used good kings and evil kings all for His glory (Proverbs 21:1). Since God is love (1 John 4:8), goodness (Zechariah 9:17), righteousness (Psalm 71:19), and justice (Jeremiah 50:7), you best believe that no matter how bad it may look that it’s all working out for the purposes of God and that they are good (Genesis 50:20). We can not know everything because our minds are finite. We don’t think like God (Isaiah 55:8-9). If we did, there would have been no need for Jesus to be sacrificed for our evil.
I’m not saying that we should abandon the public square and stop debating the issues. We need that and more of it. What I am saying is that if we stand for God, we need to stand for God everywhere and always. Politics. Art. Philosophy. Media. Everywhere and always (1 Corinthians 10:31). If your faith is REAL and the true God matters, then we do what we do in service to Him in accordance with His word…and not be ashamed of it (Luke 9:26).
Back to The Truth Manifesto.
Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. (Ephesians 6:13)
