Political Life: Demeanor & Decisions
Notes
Transcript
“Caesar’s,” they said to him. Then he said to them, “Give, then, to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
INTRO—
When this topic is brought up, we are told not to discuss it in church…& certainly never preach specifically, solely about this issue. We are told that Religion/Christianity & politics don’t mix. But do they??
Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to trap him by what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are truthful and teach truthfully the way of God. You don’t care what anyone thinks nor do you show partiality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” Perceiving their malicious intent, Jesus said, “Why are you testing me, hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax.” They brought him a denarius. “Whose image and inscription is this?” he asked them. “Caesar’s,” they said to him. Then he said to them, “Give, then, to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.
What Jesus says here is to fulfill your responsibilities where you live. He did not set up unrelated lists of either secular or sacred responsibilities. How do we know this?
I believe the answer to be found here:
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.
“Or whatever you do, do everything FOR THE GLORY OF GOD.”
THE INTERSECTION
This Sunday and next, we are going to focus on aspects of a biblically informed political life. Today, we consider our Demeanor & Decisions. Next Sunday, we will consider or Daily Duties.
DEMEANOR
Have you ever heard of the “ugly American?” This is a term I first heard while in a seminary class on international missions. The term generally applies to an American traveling overseas—typically as a tourist, but unfortunately has also been the case as missionaries—who carries the attitude which demands that the people of that country conform to his needs: speak English, serve meals like in the USA, give price of an item in ‘real money,’ etc. Obnoxious, off-putting, selfish self-centeredness. Sadly, this description is not far off much of the political conversation in our country, even in Christian circles...
The Unfortunate Bad Examples:
John MacArthur - In phone conversation with the President: “Any real, true believer is going to be on your side in this election.”
Robert Jeffress - In interview on Fox Business Channel: “The only evangelicals who are going to vote for Joe Biden are those who have sold their soul to the Devil.”
On social media: ‘To vote for the Republican nominee, you must be a racist.’ (be fascist, )
On social media: ‘To vote for the Democrat nominee, you must enjoy killing babies.’ (be pro same-sex marriage, Marxist, )
So, what are we to do instead?...
Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise—making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains, so that I may make it known as I should. Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.
It is not the Lord’s will that you convert everyone to vote your way…but you can carry on a conversation (even debate) with someone (within these, and other biblical parameters).
Seek first to understand, and only then to be understood.
Post your convictions and concerns…
Check motives (don’t be a troll).
If our convictions cannot be grounded or clearly stated in relation to Scripture, we have a problem. (many convictional issues impact politics…political partisanship must not be considered Christian conviction).
DECISIONS
Voting & Views… Let’s tackle voting first...
Today, I am not going to hesitate to tell you how we/you MUST vote… which does not mean nor include any list of candidates for whom you must vote.
We must vote as Christians—a biblical world view (perspective). In other words, the Bible—the truth God has revealed—must direct our voting thinking. Another way of saying this, we must submit our political perspective to the lordship of Jesus Christ.
He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
[Matt. quoting Jesus’ reference to Deut. 8.3]
And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
I am also here to tell you right now, that this does not come with a pre-determined party affiliation. In fact, I am fairly certain that as we go through this process, we likely will never find a 100% biblical political party.
Let each of us pray, search the Bible, and then act (vote) based on the conclusions we reach. You might say, but how could any Christian ever vote for ______? When you come across someone who is/might…actually have a conversation to find out why/what motivates their vote. You might find that your assumption falls short of reality.
Voting & Views…Let’s look at views...
I have one major concern here… what informs our views?
Having already stated what should guide or vote…the same must be said of the views we espouse and advocating in our lives (conversations, both personal and social media).
God’s Word must be foremost above all. (If you have questions regarding, “Does the Bible talk about this issue?,” let’s get together to open God’s word together to see what we find.)
What I am determined to warn everyone away from doing is advocating conspiracy theory nonsense. ( O:-) )
I see way too much of this on my social media feeds… from my brothers and sisters in Christ!! (Like QAnon…)
Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise—making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: fear God and keep his commands, because this is for all humanity. For God will bring every act to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil.
Please, please, please…take the time to investigate the source of the information that is being shared [Too many right and left wing ‘news’ sources exist out there…sadly, in ’Christian’ reporting, too.). WAIT, for multiple trusted news sources begin reporting the information. ASK yourself is passing this information further along is helpful or harmful to your witness as a Christ-follower.
CONCL--
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or Greeks or the church of God, just as I also try to please everyone in everything, not seeking my own benefit, but the benefit of many, so that they may be saved.
[Here’s a meme from FB which well expresses where I am coming from today and where I want us all to be from now until November 3…& every day thereafter!] — “I am way less concerned with who you vote for than I am with how you treat the people that vote differently than you do.”
[1 Corinthians 10.31-33]
Jesus can make that happen. He brought together a Zealot (anti-Rome activist) & a tax collector (‘pro’-Rome collaborator) to be his disciples…in the same group [not separate, etc.]
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or Greeks or the church of God, just as I also try to please everyone in everything, not seeking my own benefit, but the benefit of many, so that they may be saved.
