Christ or Politics - Not Both

I love and hate the political system. I love it because it exposes so openly its profound fallen nature on a daily basis, and I hate it because it has so infiltrated the church of Jesus Christ. This political year promises to be as absurd and nasty as it gets. I do not follow all the ever changing machinations, however I cannot help but watch some of the debates.
But this current Republican primary season has unearthed some viciousness and rancor usually reserved for the presidential election process itself. And there is also a striking dichotomy between both major parties. The Republicans give lip service to the pro-life position, and that is good. But they also champion a kind of hedonism that suggests “get all you can and can all you get” philosophy. The Democrats are mostly pro-choice, which is bad. But they give lip service to the poor. What a fallen mess.
But just recently there arose a dispute among the Republicans concerning the nature of capitalism. In reality it contained a lot of personal motives between a few of the candidates, however the subject is a good one. And in light of God’s Word and Who we follow, what are we to make of that debate? Let me provide you first with some quotes from someone not running for political office. He says:
And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
OK, let’s just stop there. What kind of economic suicide is being proposed here? I mean, come on. Let’s be real and bring the debate into the 21st century. That kind of ancient rhetoric might have worked in the Dark Ages, but in this enlightened and prosperous age we need a more relevant discourse. Let see what else this person has to say on the subject.
And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
There is it again. Meaningless prose, out of touch with reality, and more fanciful than real. That kind of lofty speech is more suited to a Hindu gathering, but surely not within the western culture of prosperity and success. That is socialism at its finest and Americans must reject it outright!
OK, I hope you can see satire. But can you not see the absurdity of such things when we actually juxtapose the teachings of Jesus upon the fallen back and forths of the political system? One candidate is willing to accept large sums of money for nothing more than his advice and influence, but he accuses another candidate of going too far in his capitalism. Its like an SNL sketch. And normally reasonable people listen to it and participate in a system that is much more than absurd and self serving. It is in fact antichrist.
The teachings of Jesus have nothing to do with enhancing our economic condition. In fact, the teachings of Jesus have more to do with the economic condition of others than they do with you. That, my friends, is the basic and crucial problem. Since we belong to a kingdom that has no subset with any other kingdom, it is impossible to bring them into a communion. And when we attempt to assess another kingdom, we inevitable must compromise since any Biblical assessment would render it completely at odds with all our Master stood for and taught.
And make no mistake, the two candidates for president will already be millionaires. Is it not ironic to see millionaires play philosophical badminton over how best to help the poor and needy?
“I have the answer!”
“No, I have the answer!”
And after the debate the candidates will retire to a glorious repast at a restaurant where you and I could not dream of affording. It is a spectacle with colossal irony, satire, and pulsating with self righteousness. And most westerners do not see the irony and do not see the inconsistency and double mindedness. Why? Because they wish they were rich! And in the end, the overwhelming majority of people will vote for the candidate they feel will elevate their personal prosperity.
But brothers and sisters, we have not known Christ after this sort. This is not the path that leads to Calvary, nor is it a path already trod by the Master’s feet. The uncomfortable question is do we still desire His path at all? Or even worse, do we even know what His path looks like anymore? And yet in the light of that piercing indictment do we still look for answers from the systems of this world? And how long will we embrace a system that is antithetical to the teachings of the One we profess to love and follow? And will we worship earthly freedom at the expense of sacrificing our freedom in Christ on the altar of political compromise?
In a previous post I suggested Jesus practiced socialism. That of course is somewhat inaccurate since it suggests that Christ bows to an earthly system. But my point was that Christ’s way is not our way. Democracy, capitalism, socialism, communism, totalitarianism, dictatorships, and all the rest are the recreation of the Tower of Babel. And they all present the fallen pottage of this world as if it was the divine birthright.
Is it not time that we as servants of the Most High God and of His Christ should humbly but decidedly withdraw from all that smacks of Cain’s fruit and openly cling to the Lord Jesus with all our hearts? This is no time to compromise. This is a time for all who bear His name to place themselves wholly and purely upon the altar of His circumcising Spirit. Politics be damned, and yes, I do mean damned in the spiritual sense. It is just such things that plunge the world more deeply into condemnation, and by design reject the Christ and war against the Kingdom of God. Let the Spirit open our eyes that we may see things as they are, which are the things not seen, and not as the world says they are.
Slowly but surely we have lost the glory of the cross, collectively and personally. And when the church does not see the cross as her life, but only as one pillar of our theology, and when the church preaches the cross only once or twice a year, and when the church teaches the cross primarily in the historical and theological abstract, then we have lost everything and we are undone.
Is.29:13-14 - Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.
Mk.7:5-7 - Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?
6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Away with the traditions of men! Away with vain worship! Away with hollow professions! Away with marrying the systems of this world with the Word of God! Away with it all!
Pray that God will empower us to remain separated from the ways of the world, refusing to even think ourselves wise enough in our own strength, and that our love for Christ will deepen in ways that we could not even imagine! This year, with all it opportunities for compromise and carnal thinking, will also reveal many, many opportunities for believers to shed the grave clothes of this world, and humbly proceed further into the glory that is the knowledge of Him, and into the freedom that always accompanies a sacrificial obedience to all He commands.
He is worthy!