What about politics?

Why is the church here on earth? Are we here to start a political movement? Should the church stand and lead the charge to overthrow a bad government? Should church leaders use their standing to further a political career?

These are questions we are wrestling with today. Is this Jeremiah Wright (Barak Obama's pastor) guy doing the right thing? Is his preaching time best spent on political and societal issues? Does this kind of ministry grow God's kingdom, or does it just fire people up about supposed injustices? What about these fired up people, are they inspired to carry out the Great Commission, or just to become a bunch of whiners.

What is our purpose here on the earth? As Followers of Christ, why are we here? Are we called to transform our nation by changing the government? Is there a political cross we should die on? Is politics too dirty and we should just stay away?

I have stewed over these questions for a while. I was somewhat confident that I knew the answer, but was disturbed enough that I thought I should rethink.

Here are the two verses that seemed most important to my stewing:

Matthew 22:21 (The Message) "...Then give Caesar what is his, and give God what is his."
Matthew 28:19 (ASV) " Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit..."

Based on these two verses, it is clear that we have two allegiances; first to God - to grow his kingdom, second to the government of whatever country we are in. Whenever they conflict,
our highest service is to the kingdom.

Therefore, after much thought(stewing), I think the pulpit ministry is best left to sharing the gospel. I think our(the church's) focus should be on this also. Nothing is more important than the salvation issue. Luke 9:25(KJV), "For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?" No matter how poor, rich, comfortable, persecuted.. whatever, without salvation, you are lost. Our(the church's) focus, energy, passion, all we have, should go to reach people for Jesus. If someone discriminates against you, you need Jesus. If you are poor, with little food, you need Jesus. If you are a victim of "rich white men", you need Jesus. If you are a victim of a crime, you need Jesus. If you are sick, you need Jesus.

Jesus is always the answer.

More tomorrow.