Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14.34) Who defines what righteousness is, and who determines what sin is?
Is providing for the poor righteous? Or is expecting the poor to work, at least put forth some effort for their own sustenance a sin? What about the ancient Gladiatorial games, or “exposure” or slavery (as practiced in American History)?
I. EVERY “POLITICAL ISSUE IS A MORAL / THEOLOGICAL ISSUE
Every “political” issue is really a moral/ethical issue; and morals/ethics are determined by one’s faith. It is impossible to make political decisions void of one’s faith and values. Those who attempt to do so are really denying the fact that their true convictions are different than they profess them to be.
It has only been within the past 100 – 125 years that people began thinking that religion/faith is separate from politics. This is caused by a misunderstanding of the “separation of church and state”. Biblical evidence is clear that faith is to undergird all political endeavors. The Exodus from Egypt – was it political or faith? When John the Baptist confronted Herod was it political or faith? When Paul appealed to Caesar was it faith or politics? When Daniel served in the court of three kings over three different empires, was it faith or was it politics? Or Isaiah, or Elijah confrontations with Ahab, or….. And finally, when the Jews demanded that the Romans crucify Jesus, was that political or “religious”?
You see faith is inevitably going to impact the political issues and landscape…and to think otherwise is a matter of denying reality. But faith and politics are also not opposites of one another.
In fact, God has ordained government . . . and He has ordained it for punishing evil and rewarding good (I Peter 2:14). We also see in Proverbs 29.16 that “when the wicked increase, transgression increases; but the righteous will see their fall.” It is the role of political engagement to make sure that wickedness does not increase.
But the very concepts of good and evil, of wickedness and righteousness are moral concepts not political ones. And how shall government know what is good and what is evil if the people of God are silent on moral issues? It is incumbent upon people of faith to speak truth, to speak righteousness, to boldly proclaim what is good and right, in order to influence those who make laws that we live under. Proverbs 31 approaches justice and morality in a way that supersedes any political aspects. “Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all the unfortunate. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.” (Proverbs 31.8-9, NASB)
Most acknowledge this in our personal lives, at least – we believe rape and murder and theft and lying are wrong, therefore we do not participate in those things. But too often those who hold to a biblical faith are reticent to express those values in a cultural or political context. This is especially true in the matter of abortion.
We’ve all heard people say “I believe abortion is wrong, and I would never have one, but I cannot make that decision for someone else.” REALLY?? I believe rape is wrong – am I going to do anything to make it so people do not commit rape? I believe child abuse is wrong. Should I do anything to prevent child abuse? What about murder? Or theft?
II. TO HIM WHO KNOWS THE RIGHT THING TO DO….. (James 4.17)
So, if we believe something is morally wrong, how can we believe it is politically acceptable?
Etched into the granite walls of the Missouri Senate chamber are these words: Nothing is politically right that is morally wrong.
Everyone’s faith affects how we live and the decisions we make . . . when you deposit money in the bank you have faith that the bank will keep it secure for you. Your behavior is determined by your faith.
If child labor is morally wrong, how can it be politically acceptable? If polygamy is morally wrong, how can it be politically acceptable? If undermining traditional families and human dignity is wrong, how can it be okay politically?
If abortion is wrong . . . how can it be politically acceptable to allow for it?
Though many have an attitude that morality cannot be legislated, it is also true that legislation can be used to restrain the lack of morality.
The fact of the matter is, everyone has a religion of some sort . . . even atheists – religion of man, of evolution, devoid of absolute truth. And that religion informs their moral compass and their standards of right and wrong. And they do not shy away from allowing their values to determine the influence they exert in the public square. They believe they are right, or at least that their ideals are better for society than others. In other words, they hold their faith, morals, and ethical values very firmly and sincerely.
Many Christians, on the other hand, deny James 4.17, hide their faith under a bushel basket, and keep their moral and ethical views as a private matter. They never allow their light to shine and they keep their salt in the salt shaker, never allowing their neighbors and fellow citizens to taste of the goodness of Judeo-Christian morality and ethics. But folks, if our faith does not influence how we live, it is a dead and useless faith
III. THOSE WHO INFLUENCE POLITICS WILL INFLUENCE SOCIETY
We can read in the book of Acts that the early Christians were accused of “turning their world upside down”. In the city of Ephesus, in particular, so many people were becoming followers of Christ that they stopped buying the silver idols of the goddess Artimas, which had an economic impact on the city and sparked a riot (Acts 19).
So, changed lives change culture. But culture also changes lives. What we can also learn from American history, is that when the government permits a behavior, either by legislating in its favor, or by failing to prosecute the laws prohibiting it, that behavior is soon perceived as being acceptable – at least by those who reject a biblical morality.
Those who hold differing values from us will use politics/government to advance their agenda. Such has been the case with undermining the biblical work ethic, thus expanding welfare; undermining the biblical understanding of marriage and family, leading to no fault divorce, people shacking up instead of getting married, and ultimately allowing so-called same sex marriage; the legalization of marijuana, gambling, and so much more. We see this as well in the cultural understanding of the sanctity of human life – both for the pre-born (50 years of Roe v Wade) and for end-of-life issues . . .
Thus politics is a tool, not a goal or something inherently to be pursued. It is an arena in which the fight for truth and righteousness is fought. Politics is not the fight, and it is certainly not the prize. For people of principle to say they don’t want to get involved in politics is like someone saying I agree this tree needs to be cut down, but I don’t want to get involved with chainsaws.
But politics and government can be used to advance the good as well as thwart the bad
Issues such as abortion, gambling, transgenderism and sexual orientation are moral issues, not political issues. Even criminal justice and welfare are ultimately moral/ethical issues that are to be determined by our faith, not merely a buffet of options on a neutral plane. Though many have an attitude that morality cannot be legislated, we must recognize that it is also true that legislation can be used to restrain the lack of morality.
IV. A REPUBLIC REQUIRES CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
But legislation can only restrain immorality if there are legislators willing to take a stand on, and operate from a position of righteousness and morality. And the only way we get such legislators is for people of righteousness and morality to vote.
Oftentimes there is a concern for registering voters. And this is good. But being a registered voter does not mean a person will actually vote.
According to Missouri Sec of State, as Nov 1, 2022 there were 4,286,342 registered voters in Missouri. But only 2,069,130 actually voted – less than half of those registered! We must work to get registered voters to the polls!
Some may see political activism as dirty and corrupt and not want to get involved. But all that is necessary for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing!
So get involved today – at the very least vote . . . perhaps you could do more. Contact us to see about practicing your faith in the public square.