Theme: Giving up the lead to become His leader!
At one time, my identity and pride in life centered around being an antagonistic political voice on the radio in Canton, Ohio. I lived in the world of labels and finger-pointing, often believing my own words. Although this may have attracted listeners and spurred conversation, it did not accomplish much in reality and left me without peace.
Surrendering my life to Jesus gave me the peace that had alluded me and ruined my radio career. Suddenly, the answer to all was just Jesus, and my identity was in Him. There was nothing more to say, which does not work well for talk radio. I traded my radio life for a more abundant life of love, no labels, and peace beyond all comprehension.
As I attempt to grasp this country's political maelstrom and the attempted assassination of former President Trump, I despair for those who were once where I lived, whose identities no longer have individuality but grouped labels and names. And I think of our role as the church of Jesus Christ and the message we are to give. The answer lies in who we are in Christ, and in the example Jesus gave us when He walked the earth as a man.
You see, Christianity is not a supplement added to life. It is not peripheral. Christianity is a total life experience. It touches every element of life: thought, word, deed, and relationship. Nothing is left unaffected by the transformation of the Lord Jesus Christ in a life. And so Christian living is not divisible. It is not segmentable. It cannot be isolated from any part of living, including politics.
Thus, our moral influence is based on being in Christ, not influence based on worldly associations and causes such as political parties or social justice issues. In Christ, we will have a love and compassion that compels us to act in the lives of hurting and needing individuals. However, that is different from diverting the mission of Christ's church away from the Gospel's life-saving power. I thank God daily that we have a Pastor who grasps this difference, preaching only the life-saving power of God's Word while encouraging individuals to look outward to others. As Josh put it so well this past Sunday, the Gospel of Jesus Christ creates empathy in us to see others before us.
As I draw this to a much-needed closing, please allow me to list the things Jesus did not do on earth as an example of what we are to do as His church.
He did not come with power and force to overthrow the Roman tyranny.
He did not seek social change.
He did not attempt to eliminate slavery.
He did not come with political or economic issues at stake.
He did not come to bring a new government or democracy or wave the flag of Judaism His appeal was ever and always to the hearts of individual men and women, not their political freedoms or rights under government.
He did not participate in civil rights.
He did not crusade to abolish injustice.
He was not interested in a new social order but in a new spiritual order, the church. And he mandated the church to carry on the same kind of ministry.
He did preach a saving gospel so that once a man's or woman's soul is right with God, it matters very little what the externals are.
In closing, C.S. Lewis gave us a great example of what the church would look like if it forsook it’s mission; "I mean it would be like a great heart surgeon with a skill to save many, abandoning his life-saving practice to become a makeup artist, to fool around with the outside, and ignore the skill which could save men's lives."
Scripture: Romans 13:1-7 (NIV)
“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”
Prayer:
Father, hold me near you, and please always let me see your glorious face, as it enables me always to know from whom I draw my identity. Clothe me in the armor of your Word while giving me a heart of empathy for all around me. Thank you, Jesus, for a church and a Pastor with a clear vision of the mission you had when you walked among us and let that always be the mission of your church body. In your way and name, we pray.
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