RED & BLUE
Message Recap
Politics divide like no other. This week we wrestle with what it means to be politically active, and yet still charitable toward those who disagree with us. With Christ as our ultimate authority, we will have the desire to do what is right and live peacefully among our brothers and sisters. Instead of being a slave to politics, we should live as servants to the one true King.
Take a look at Titus 3:1-8:
“1 Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, 2 to slander no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing every consideration for all people. 3 For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. 4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He richly poured out upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 This statement is trustworthy; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and beneficial for people.”
Be Political Without Being a Jerk
Christians should lovingly and charitably use politics as a way to promote the welfare of their community.
Notice what verse 1 says about politics. Here’s what one theologian says about Paul’s words: “Christians have a duty to government…The duty of believers is ‘to be subject to rulers and authorities.’ ‘To be subject’ is best taken as a middle-voice infinitive, implying their voluntary acceptance of this position of submission…As good citizens, believers must also ‘be ready to do whatever is good’—prepared and willing to participate in activities that promote the welfare of the community. They must not stand coldly aloof from praiseworthy enterprises of government but show good public spirit, thus proving that Christianity is a constructive force in society. (D. Edmond Hiebert, "Titus", in The Expositor's Bible Commentary, Volume 11: Ephesians Through Philemon (ed. Frank E. Gaebelein; Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1981), 442-43.
This first verse answers the question: “Should Christians be political?” The answer is yes! The second verse gives us instructions on how to do that: “to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.” Are we supposed to be political? Yes! How are we supposed to do this? With love.
When discussing this point, it won’t be hard to convince your people about the importance of being political; it is, however, difficult to help them to apply this principle with love toward others. How can your people apply this passage on Facebook? When they talk to their neighbors? With the articles they share?
The key here is humility. Remember who we were before Christ! (vss. 3-5). Why are we surprised when people who don’t know God, have political views that are contrary to scripture? Didn’t we?!
Our reasoning for this entire discourse is the gospel. What Jesus has done for us should compel us to love others (vss. 3-8).
Like the commentary quote says above, we should use our political power for “the welfare of the community.” When you think about the political system, do you only think about how it will benefit you?
Proverbs 25:26 further states, “Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked." Christians cannot stand by when we have a chance to right wrongs in our countries.
William Wilberforce was an English politician who worked his entire life to bring an end to slavery. This is a great illustration of how the Christian faith was used to bring about great good.
The Local Church Shouldn’t Be Unified by Politics, but by Jesus
Next, let’s take a look at 1 Corinthians 11:17-34:
17 Now in giving this next instruction I do not praise you, because you come together not for the better, but for the worse. 18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part I believe it. 19 For there also have to be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you. 20 Therefore when you come together it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper, 21 for when you eat, each one takes his own supper first; and one goes hungry while another gets drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What am I to say to you? Shall I praise you? In this I do not praise you.
23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same way He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
27 Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy way, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. 28 But a person must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For the one who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not properly recognize the body. 30 For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number are asleep. 31 But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.
33 So then, my brothers and sisters, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34 If anyone is hungry, have him eat at home, so that you do not come together for judgment. As to the remaining matters, I will give instructions when I come.
In this passage, Paul speaks against the church in Corinth for dividing themselves and neglecting the needs of others. This is what it means to take communion in an unworthy manner. They were treating others differently based on their place in society.
The Bible makes it very clear that in the body of Christ, there are no distinctions that separate us. “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28
In James’ third chapter, he speaks on the destructive nature of the tongue. In today’s culture, his warnings can extend to what we post on social media. Fruitless debates, fear, and hate are all too common on social media, even by those who are inside of the church. What can you do to not allow your words to divide the body of Christ?
To learn more, watch the full sermon here.