Conservatism Doesn’t Equal Christian
Being a conservative, I know that I’m going to get some upside down smiley faces on this one. Even so, the truth is that being a conservative doesn’t mean you’re a Christian. They are not synonymous and are exclusive of one another.
The philosophy of conservatism is in line with Christian doctrine on all kinds of levels which is why that is my political leaning. I cover this in my three part series What’s A Conservative Christian? However, the foundation I base that on supersedes the conservative philosophy which is the Bible itself.
Many conservatives get it twisted. They think that because the philosophy lines up with scripture and that they label themselves conservative, that somehow this qualifies them as being a Christian.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
CONFORMATION
The litmus test of being a Christian is a changed life in adherence to the word of God. It is a continual outworking of of love through the power of the Holy Spirit in response to someone laying down their life for Jesus Christ in affirmation and realization of their sinful condition.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2)
I have met many conservatives throughout the past year who live lives in direct contradiction to the word of God but have deceived themselves into thinking they’re Christians. Their mouths spew all kinds of filthiness and venom and their lifestyles do not reflect the holiness of God.
I have this saying that if you have to tell someone you’re a Christian, that’s probably a clear indication that you’re not. Jesus says it like this:
This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. (Matthew 15:8)
JUDGE NOT
The response of many to these allegations is, “You can’t judge me. The Bible says don’t judge.” My response to that is, “Yes, the Bible does say that. But what is it talking about?”
Matthew 7:1 is the verse that people like to reference to prohibit all kinds of
judgment, especially on them. But that’s not what this is talking about. Warren Wiersbe puts it nicely:
We must not pass judgment on others’ motives. We should examine their actions and attitudes, but we cannot judge their motives–for only God can see their hearts. It is possible for a person to do a good work with a bad motive. It is also possible to fail in a task and yet be very sincerely motivated.
In other words, a good work doesn’t make you good, and you may be sincere but sincerely wrong.
As Christians we are told to judge a plethora of things: whether someone is in the faith (Galatians 5:19-21, 2 Corinthians 6:14), whether a teacher is doctrinally sound (Matthew 7:15-20, 1 John 4:1), who’s qualified to lead in the church (1 Timothy 3:13), and a host of other things.
William McDonald puts it perfectly:
Jesus is not teaching that we are to be undiscerning Christians. He never intended that we abandon our critical faculty or discernment. The New Testament has many illustrations of legitimate judgment of the condition, conduct, and teaching of others. In addition, there are several areas in which the Christian is commanded to make a decision, to discriminate between good and bad or between good and best.
“I AGREE.” ISN’T ENOUGH
Conservatives (and people in general) miss the boat by thinking that agreeing with something is belief. But biblical belief goes beyond mental assent. It means doing.
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? (James 2:18)
Of course, there’s no way we can do this by just a force of will. We must be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and willingly give ourselves over to Him. This is more easily done when we realize that there is nothing good in our hearts. We’re sinful and evil.
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9)
This is what must be addressed and God is not going to judge on the basis of our political philosophy but on the conduct of our lives by relation to His Son Jesus Christ.
So, to my conservative brothers and sisters I say this: major on the Lord Jesus Christ. Minor on conservatism. That way, your conservatism is founded on something far greater that can change people’s lives.
