Apolitical Christianity

With the United States Supreme Court legalizing gay marriage in America, I have witnessed many brethren and sistren in Christ expressing angst to me about this issue (both online as well as off).

While “wailing and gnashing of teeth” might be a slight exaggeration of the emotions expressed, rage, heartache, et al, seem to be the standard reactions, with some concluding God’s people need to:

• Embrace their inner Spartan & “Take back America” (which instills images of the Crusades)
• Declare all is lost & watch the world burn in judgement while saints await their turn to enter heaven’s gates

This is NOT Sparta

When Jesus Christ was being questioned by Pontius Pilate he made this surprising statement:

Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. (John 18:36)

If there was ever a time to manipulate the political system in order to avoid a horrific death by crucifixion, this was it!

Yet Christ reminded the Roman overlord that God’s kingdom transcends petty local politics and does not rely upon the bureaucratic machinery in order to accomplish the Almighty’s will.

Using politics as a blunt weapon to force “heathens” to obey God’s decrees is much easier than living the lifestyle of Christ, but the former will never truly change a culture.

Instead those claiming to embrace Christ need to be a living example of what holiness is within a hostile world (which requires a lot of grace!).

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Jesus Christ, Matthew 5:16)

There is no Exit Strategy

Hopelessly abandoning society while awaiting the rapture, impending doom, et al, is (at best) a waste of existence.

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. (Jesus Christ, Matthew 5:13)

God expects his disciples to actively engage with the world around us irregardless of how “icky and yucky” it appears to believers.

Although most people will reject the tenets of Christianity, God expects His disciples to express love & respect towards our fellow human beings irregardless of the legalities of the land.

After all, being a disciple of Christ does not mean we are entitled to rule over the lifestyles of our neighbors but rather bless them with love, respect and the truth.

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. (Apostle John, 1 John 3:18)

Selah…