Just Another Interest Group

It's the political season.  We are seeing commercial after commercial for this office or that.  In Michigan we are seeing a lot of adds for Governor and US Senate.  And while I have some very strong opinions on who are the better candidates, this isn't that kind of blog.

I have been thinking a lot lately about Christians being involved in politics.  Not about Christians voting or running for office, those are civic responsibilities.  I am talking about Christians and Churches behaving like another special interest group.  Interest groups from labor unions to the NRA to the AARP stake out positions and  endorse candidates.  And some churches do this too.  Some high profile pastors give out endorsements, some let politicians speak on Sunday morning at the service.  Some pass out voter guides that endorse candidates.

Here is the problem as I see it.  Politics turns everything that it touches into politics.  And politics is first and foremost concerned with gaining and maintaining power.

But don't we want our Christian values represented in public policy?  Of course we do.  I am a Christian and that affects every part of my life; Everything that I do; Every decision that I make.  But that is not politics.  Politics is about gaining and maintaining power.

There is a saying among politicians, "you can't do anything if you don't get elected." The next election quickly becomes more important than the values that sent them there. When Christians behave like an interest group, we get lumped in with the NRA and AARP and our standing suffers.  There is nothing wrong with groups advocating for a cause, but the Christian Churches are different.  Jesus is the light of the world and through his death and resurrection, salvation is available for the asking.  In Christ we can be released from our sins, our guilt, our transgressions and live lives full of purpose.  This is more important that whether or not capital gains investments are taxed.

 

Christians need to be more interested in saving the next soul than winning the next election.  We are need to speak the truth in love to people who need it.  And that isn't politics.  

Another problem with mixing politics and Christianity is raising the bar of membership.  By staking out political positions, we send the message that only people with these political views may become Christians, that salvation is only available to those of a particular party.  

To be a Christian is to put your faith in Christ as your Lord and Savior.  It doesn't matter if you are pro-life or pro-choice, if you support gay marriage or not.  If you are pro gun-rights or are in favor of gun control.  It doesn't matter what you think the tax rate should be or what the US policy should be towards modern day Israel.  Christianity is about letting the Holy Spirit work in your heart, and good people, Jesus loving Christians, are on both sides of every issue.  Sometimes we send the message that only people who have a specific set of political beliefs are welcome to join.  And that isn't even close to the truth.  

As Christians we are called to speak the truth in love in order to help those who don't know.  And that isn't politics.

Election day is November 4.  Be informed about candidates and issues and go vote.  Pray for discernment and wisdom and do what you think is best.  That is how democracy works.  And when I see Christians with yard signs in their yard that are different than the ones in my yard, I know that we have a lot more in common than the opinions that separate us.