I want to take a minute to share something that's been on my heart for some time. This is not an attempt to simply post something 'relevant', but a burden that's been growing the more I talk to fellow believers and how they are processing the upcoming election. My biggest concern is this - it seems to me that many Christians seem to be clearer on how their Christian convictions should influence who they should vote for, than how those same beliefs should influence the way they view this whole earthly kingdom called America and their participation in it. Regardless of whether or not we were born and raised in this country and so a citizen by birth (like me), if we are someone who claims Jesus Christ as our savior and king, then we are already a citizen of another kingdom (Phil. 3:20) - a "kingdom", as the author of Hebrews tells us, "that cannot be shaken". Yes, one of these kingdoms is earthly and visible and one is spiritual and invisible - but they are both equally REAL and as Christians we should desire to be good citizens of both kingdoms!
But, what does that look like? What does that mean? I can't hope to cover everything, but let me offer a few words of wisdom that I hope will help you navigate this political season well.
Don't CONFUSE the Kingdoms - It can be very easy to assume - and it's very commonly (though incorrectly) taught - that the promises addressed to Israel in the Old Covenant could and should be applied directly to America today. The most common place I hear this is with reference to 2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people who are called by my name..." The trouble with claiming this particular passage (and others like it) as a promise to Americans is that it misunderstands the context and unique promises God had made to Israel and the theocratic structure of Israel in the OT. America isn't the 'kingdom of God' anymore than Rome was the 'kingdom of God'. They are all earthly kingdoms which God's kingdom people live within. When we confuse these two - when we begin to see our earthly kingdom and our heavenly kingdom as synonymous - it will inevitably lead us to engage politically and personally in a way that's much more like our unbelieving neighbors because we've prioritized the kingdom we can see over the one we can't! Which leads us to our next point...
Don't PRIORITIZE the wrong Kingdom - While we are citizens of two kingdoms, these kingdoms are very different. One you can see and it feels more real and more substantial. America has a flag...passports...a president...etc. Every day in this election season we are confronted with the reality of this earthly kingdom called America. But it's good and healthy to remember that this kingdom will pass away. America, will one day crumble...as did every other earthly kingdom before it. And the kingdom we CANNOT see, is the one that will last forever! As Paul reminds us, "2 Cor. 4:18 - For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." How often do believers in Jesus Christ who posses a citizenship in an eternal kingdom, operate with a level of anxiety and zeal and focus in the leadership of this earthly kingdom and it's well-being that is never reflected in their approach to their heavenly kingdom? If you've spent far more time fretting over and fixating on the possible results of the upcoming election than you have praying for & evangelizing your neighbors and worshipping your King, then maybe you've unknowingly become consumed with the wrong kingdom. But we also we need to hear...
Don't DESPISE your citizenship in your earthly Kingdom - It might sound like, based on everything I've said, that the earthly kingdom doesn't matter - that you shouldn't care about who is leading, or even care to engage in the political process. But nothing could be further from the truth! While we must make sure that 'first things are first' - and keep Christ and his kingdom at the forefront of our mind, I don't think it honors Christ or is loving to others to completely disengage from the political process. As citizens of this democratic republic - we have all been given a stewardship we call citizenship. As a citizen of this nation we pay taxes, we agree on laws, and we elect leaders - all with the understanding that we are caretakers of this nation that we collectively dwell in. So, to NOT engage, to NOT care, is like NOT stewarding this gift of the nation we reside in. Maybe an illustration will help clarify my point - the nation is like a resident-owned apartment building that my family along with other families all live within. This building offers protection, shelter, etc. for all the families that reside within. I don't want to confuse the church (ie. my family) with the building (ie. my nation), but I understand my responsibility to help keep it up as an act of love and good-will towards those who depend on this building (ie. nation) for support, shelter, etc. So, though my family will be my family whether we live in this apartment building or another...as long as we live in this 'apartment' (ie. nation) we are being poor stewards and not loving our neighbors if we don't inform ourselves and engage in the processes that have been set up to steward it's upkeep! But finally...
Live and Pray for this Earthly Kingdom in light of the Eternal Kingdom - Once I understand and relish and can rejoice in that fact that Christ has provided for me, "...an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:11).", but that I also have a responsibility and stewardship that I've been given in this earthly kingdom for the good of my neighbor - then I'm prepped to wisely steward this responsibility I've been as citizen of two kingdoms. So, with that in mind, I would call you to do the following things in the coming days...
First, go vote. You are a steward of this nation. This isn't the only way you steward it well, but it's an important way. There is only one perfect leader and he isn't running for office, so wisely engage your mind and vote your conscience.
Second, pray for godly, wise leaders. 1 Tim. 1:1-2 says, " First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way."
Third, show your neighbor the joy and peace of having a perfect king and an eternal kingdom by not acting like this kingdom is all there is. That means if your candidate loses - praise God and walk in peace. If your candidate wins - praise God and walk in peace. Show them that American Christianity is far more than a voting block. Christians should vote, but our hope is not in either candidate, but in the coming king!
There's much more I could (and would like to) say, but that's enough for one blog post. I know there's very important items and ideas that I've left unsaid, but feel free to send me your thoughts or pass along anything you'd like me to address in an upcoming blog post by shooting me an e-mail at pastormike@lakesidebaptist.net.
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