PODCAST TOPIC 9: “HOW IMPORTANT IS THE WORD OF GOD TO YOU WHEN IT COMES TO . . .
THE POSITION THE CHURCH SHOULD TAKE WHEN IT COMES TO POLITICAL ISSUES
I do not speak for “the church.
However, as a Believer and follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, this makes me a member of the church and I am speaking from the way I feel and how I believe the Spirit of the Lord, and word of God is directing me to respond to this question.
There are many things happening in our country and around the world that may be labeled as “POLITICAL ISSUES.” Living in the urban area of Philadelphia, I hear about, read about, and experience a number of “Social Issues” that a lot of people deal with on a daily basis. It seems like the issues being spoken about the most are our Political Leaders and how they are governing our health and finances. But the question still remains:
“HOW IMPORTANT IS THE WORD OF GOD TO YOU WHEN IT COMES TO . . .
THE POSITION THE CHURCH SHOULD TAKE WHEN IT COMES TO
POLITICAL ISSUES”
I know that discussing politics is something people have been doing for years; which means that people have been arguing over political issues for years (expound). I don’t know what consider to be a political issue, but the issues of:
- The integrity of our elected (and appointed) government officials on ALL levels come into question.
- Who to vote for.
- Are the wealthy paying as much taxes as the “working class?”
- Shouldn’t the government do something to make Health Care more affordable?
- Why are our political leaders even considering threatening people’s pensions and social security?
This list can go on and on. I want to present some scriptures to you and you tell me if they are pertinent when it comes to you trying to make sure that you are in line with the word of GOD in the position you stand on these political issues:
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- “Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. 16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. 17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax[a] to Caesar or not?” 18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, 20 and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” 21 “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” 22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.” Matthew 22:15-22 (NIV)
- “Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” Mark 12:17; Luke 20:22-25 (NIV)
- “. . . “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10 “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.” John 19: 9-11 (NIV)
CONCLUSION –
I don’t have to like or agree with the leaders we have in position. I don’t even have to agree or like the laws that the world have in place. But because I live here and I am a resident, I am obligated to obey them.
I don’t believe that it is the church’s “Duty or obligation” to tell congregants who to vote for. Even though we may see a lot of our government officials as corrupt, unscrupulous, or even immoral, telling someone who to vote for may not be a wise thing to do. We need to take note that the LORD has put a number of people in position so that they could perform the unenviable tasks that He wanted done (Pharaoh, Pilate, Nebuchadnezzar, etc.). So unless I have communicated with the Lord about an elected official, and confirmed it by His written word, I would be very careful before telling someone who they should or should not vote for; we have to be careful that we are not “leaning to our own understanding!”