Political Expediency or Holiness

Why do church leaders excuse lying, adultery, extortion, and even worse acts when they are committed by their political allies?

Early in my Christian life, I was taught to pursue holiness in every area of life, and as a disciple of Jesus, I must separate myself from the ways and ideologies of this sinful world. Not physically, but spiritually and morally. Holiness before God and conformity to the life and teachings of Jesus are not optional:

His Realm

Jesus proclaimed a new political reality, the Kingdom of God, one that bears little resemblance to the political systems of this world.

Jesus arrived in Galilee proclaiming the Kingdom of God: “Repent, for the kingdom is at hand!” In his ministry, the reign of God was invading the Earth, but his realm was of a different nature than the governments and ideologies of this fallen world, and on more than one occasion, Jesus refused political power, especially when Satan offered it. With the arrival of the Messiah, every man must now choose which kingdom and ruler he will serve.

Whomever He Pleases!

The God of Israel changes the times and seasons, removes kings, and sets up kings as He sees fit. 

Church leaders often exhort us to work diligently for the election of politicians of whom they approve, claiming it is God’s will to do so as well as our “Christian duty.” They warn of the dire consequences that will befall the church and the nation if we fail to immerse ourselves in partisan politics and promote the values and social policies of the candidates and political parties supported by them. They do this despite what Scripture declares.

Serve His Kingdom!

The message of Jesus is centered on the Kingdom of God, a political reality that bears little resemblance to the systems and ideologies of this age.

Political efforts by churches and “Christian” organizations too often are barely distinguishable from the politicians and ideologies of this world’s kingdoms, and this is especially so in Western-style democracies. It seems believers must emulate the ways of this fallen age to achieve real change in society. However, this common way of practicing Christianity differs radically from the teachings and example of Jesus.

Did Jesus Triumph?

Did Jesus triumph and begin his messianic reign following his Death and Resurrection, or is he still waiting for some future event?

Did Jesus conquer his enemies on Calvary as Scripture declares or not? Most of us would answer, “Yes, of course!” Nevertheless, certain popular teachings, intentionally or not, effectively deny this and teach that his reign will not commence until his return at the end of the present age.

His Victory and Present Reign

Did Jesus triumph through his Death and Resurrection, or is he still waiting for some future event for his reign to begin?

Was Jesus victorious over God’s enemies on the Cross, and did he begin to rule as the Davidic King following his Death and Resurrection? Most Christians would answer, “Well, yes! Of course!” Nevertheless, many popular interpretations effectively if not openly deny this present reality when they claim his reign over the Earth will not commence until his return in glory or some other future date or event.

The True Emperor

Messianic promises from the Psalms are applied to the present reign of Jesus who possesses all authority in Heaven and on Earth. 

Jesus has reigned as Sovereign over the Earth since his Death, Resurrection, and Ascension, already, he is seated on the Messianic Throne. Because of his obedience, he is the “Ruler of the Kings of the Earth.” Before his Ascension, he declared that God had bestowed all authority on him - “In Heaven and on Earth.” His authority is without limits and a present reality. Thus, working for competing political entities becomes, at best, a waste of time. Only God’s Kingdom will endure.

Usurping God

Paul pointed to the obedience of Jesus as the model of proper conduct for disciples. His willingness to die at the hands of the World Empire is the paradigm for how believers must live and think if they wish to follow him “wherever he goes.” His self-sacrificial act stands in sharp contrast to the political systems of this age that seek to replace God and impose their rule over humanity.

Fleeting Power

Only God’s kingdom will prevail and endure. All other political powers and regimes are fleeting. Already they are passing away.

Despite human pretensions, History demonstrates without exception the impermanence of political power, human ideologies, and governments. Rome endured for a thousand years, but that Empire fell all the same. Like human life, political power is impermanent, and regimes and even the greatest empires collapse unexpectedly and often quickly when their allotted time expires. Only the “Kingdom of God” will endure forever.

Calvary or Rome?

Jesus refused the political power of Rome when offered it by Satan. So, why do we continue to seek what he rejected?

I was taught not to be “unequally yoked together” with this world and its values. Conditions around the globe may be tragic, but what do we expect from a system enslaved to sin and under Satan’s boot? Humanity needs the Good News of the Kingdom of God, not another flawed political philosophy. Since the “forms” of the present age are already “passing away,” why do we waste time “working for the meat that perishes”?

The Idolatrous Conceit

‘Christendom’ is an idolatrous term used often to invoke Divine support of national and political institutions, agendas, and ideologies.

In popular usage, the English term ‘Christendom’ refers to “that part of the world in which Christianity prevails,” either because the majority of a nation’s citizens claim to be Christian, or because a specific sect or denomination is recognized by the State as the country’s official religion.

Kingdom Power

True greatness in Christ’s Kingdom is found in self-sacrificial service for others, not in exercising political power over them.

Too many Christians have exchanged the proclamation of the Gospel for the pursuit of one political agenda or another, especially in North America. Rather than calling men and women to repent and believe the same Gospel preached by Jesus and his Apostles, they prefer imposing their views and visions via the corrupt political systems of this fallen age. However, this is not the way of discipleship exemplified in the words and deeds of Jesus.

The Age-Old Empire

Imperial hubris is the legacy of the Tower of Babel incident, humanity’s first but not last attempt to build the Dragon’s great World Empire.

Human history is dominated by tyrants and empires determined to subjugate nations and populations.  This plan has been underway since time immemorial. It will reach its climax shortly before Christ’s return when Satan gathers his earthly forces in his final attempt to annihilate the saints of God. It will be the final act of the war between the World Empire and the Kingdom of God.

Allegiance to whom?

In the Book of Revelation, every man must choose between loyalty to the Beast from the Sea or the sacrificial Lamb. Discussions on the “Mark of the Beast” focus on the significance of its Number, ‘666.’ We wish to understand it, and thereby avoid taking it. However, to appreciate the ramifications of taking its “Mark,” we must understand that the Book of Revelation contrasts the “Mark of the Beast” with the “Seal of God.”

His Path

Jesus arrived in Galilee proclaiming the “Kingdom of God” – “Repent, for the kingdom is at hand.” In his ministry, the reign of God was invading the Earth, but his realm was of a different nature than the governments and ideologies of this fallen world, and on more than one occasion, Jesus refused political power, especially when it was offered by Satan.