Should Christians Should Christians be involved in be involved in

Politics?Politics?

““Politics” in our studies Politics” in our studies does NOT mean:does NOT mean:

Posturing for position and powerPosturing for position and power Seeking favored positionsSeeking favored positions Taking illegal contributionsTaking illegal contributions Bribing peopleBribing people Lying, Etc.Lying, Etc.

Politics is:Politics is:

Speaking out against EvilSpeaking out against Evil Making just lawsMaking just laws Appointing impartial JudgesAppointing impartial Judges Ensuring that Justice is servedEnsuring that Justice is served Making sure people are not Making sure people are not

oppressedoppressed Ensuring equality in opportunityEnsuring equality in opportunity Having Servant-Leaders not Leader-Having Servant-Leaders not Leader-

KingsKings

GovernmentsGovernments

Where do governments come from?Where do governments come from? Romans 13:1 NASBRomans 13:1 NASB

Every person is to be in subjection to Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by those which exist are established by God.God.

All Things by and for All Things by and for Him!Him!

Colossians 1:16 NASBColossians 1:16 NASB For by Him all things were For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things rulers or authorities-all things have been created through Him have been created through Him and for Him.and for Him.

God uses peopleGod uses people

God rarely acts directly in human God rarely acts directly in human affairsaffairs

But when He does, we call this what? But when He does, we call this what? Miracles!Miracles! Good News: In America, God gives Good News: In America, God gives

us the power to choose our leaders us the power to choose our leaders for Him!for Him!

We should not wait on a miracle from We should not wait on a miracle from God.God.

Christians shouldn’t be Christians shouldn’t be involved in Politics. Oh involved in Politics. Oh

really? really? So when Christians say we So when Christians say we

shouldn't be involved in Politics, shouldn't be involved in Politics, what are they really saying? what are they really saying?

The Bible says that God chooses The Bible says that God chooses the leaders and time after time in the leaders and time after time in the Bible, God uses His people to the Bible, God uses His people to bring about His plan.bring about His plan.

And when His people fail to act, And when His people fail to act, or act inappropriately, what or act inappropriately, what happens?happens?

Israel got what they Israel got what they deserved and we get what deserved and we get what

we deserve (ask for)!we deserve (ask for)!KINGS OF ISRAEL (930-722 B.C.)KINGS OF ISRAEL (930-722 B.C.)Jeroboam, Nadab, Baasha, Elah, Zimri,Jeroboam, Nadab, Baasha, Elah, Zimri,Tibni, Omri, Ahab, Ahaziah, Joram, Tibni, Omri, Ahab, Ahaziah, Joram, Jehoahaz, Joash, Jeroboam II,Jehoahaz, Joash, Jeroboam II,Zechariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah,Zechariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah,Pekah, Hoshea – Pekah, Hoshea – All bad!All bad!Jehu – Jehu – Better but still not good!Better but still not good!

KINGS OF JUDAH (933-586 B.C.)KINGS OF JUDAH (933-586 B.C.)Jehoram, Ahaziah, Athaliah, Ahaz,Jehoram, Ahaziah, Athaliah, Ahaz,Jehoahaz, Jehoiachin, Zedekiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiachin, Zedekiah, Rehoboam, Abijah, Manasseh, Amon,Rehoboam, Abijah, Manasseh, Amon,Jehoiakim – Jehoiakim – All bad!All bad!Asa, Jehoshaphat, Joash, AmaziahAsa, Jehoshaphat, Joash, AmaziahUzziah, Jotham – Uzziah, Jotham – All good!All good!Hezekiah, Josiah – Hezekiah, Josiah – Very good!Very good!

So If Christians shouldn’t’ So If Christians shouldn’t’ be involved in Politics, who be involved in Politics, who

should be?should be? Should we just give up and let the Should we just give up and let the

Atheists and Non-Believers choose Atheists and Non-Believers choose our leaders?our leaders?

Romans 13:3-6 NASBRomans 13:3-6 NASB For rulers are not a cause of fear for good For rulers are not a cause of fear for good

behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.themselves to this very thing.

We are to be Salt and We are to be Salt and LightLight

Matthew 5:13-15 NASBMatthew 5:13-15 NASB

13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the 13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.trampled under foot by men.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15  nor does on a hill cannot be hidden; 15  nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.light to all who are in the house.

Some numbersSome numbers > 60 million Evangelical Christians of > 60 million Evangelical Christians of

voting agevoting age ~ 24 million are not even registered to vote~ 24 million are not even registered to vote Of the 36 million who are registered to Of the 36 million who are registered to

vote, not all do!vote, not all do! In 2004, 122 million people voted. George In 2004, 122 million people voted. George

W. Bush won by barely 3 million votes!W. Bush won by barely 3 million votes! In 2006, only 96 million people voted. In 2006, only 96 million people voted.

Republicans lost the House by 3,000 votes.Republicans lost the House by 3,000 votes.

So what? you saySo what? you say

In 2004, almost 28.9M Evangelicals In 2004, almost 28.9M Evangelicals voted and voted Biblical Values. The voted and voted Biblical Values. The result, 78% of the new senators and result, 78% of the new senators and 63% of the new representatives were 63% of the new representatives were Pro-Life!Pro-Life!

But in 2006, only 20.5M Evangelicals But in 2006, only 20.5M Evangelicals voted and only 10% of the new voted and only 10% of the new senators and 31% of the new senators and 31% of the new representatives were Pro-Life!representatives were Pro-Life!

After these Elections, After these Elections, then what?then what?

2004 - 2006, most of the Pro-Family 2004 - 2006, most of the Pro-Family propositions passed in many of the propositions passed in many of the statesstates

After 2006, some of the worst Anti-After 2006, some of the worst Anti-Family and Anti-Biblical laws were Family and Anti-Biblical laws were passed by the Senate and House.passed by the Senate and House.

While While 24 million24 million Evangelical Evangelical Christians sat on the sidelines, Christians sat on the sidelines, elections were lost by a few hundred elections were lost by a few hundred thousand votes in various statesthousand votes in various states

Your vote does count!Your vote does count!

Remember, Bush won by 200 votes in Remember, Bush won by 200 votes in Florida!Florida!

Bush was able to appoint Pro-Life JudgesBush was able to appoint Pro-Life Judges Partial Birth Abortions were banned Partial Birth Abortions were banned

during Bush’s reignduring Bush’s reign Over 500 more state and federal laws Over 500 more state and federal laws

against Abortion were also passedagainst Abortion were also passed Abortions are now not as common Abortions are now not as common

because of these lawsbecause of these laws

This Battle is only among This Battle is only among ChristiansChristians

There is no need to persuade a non-There is no need to persuade a non-believer to vote our valuesbeliever to vote our values

There is only the need to persuade There is only the need to persuade like-minded Christians to vote Biblical like-minded Christians to vote Biblical values!values!

If enough of us could convince just 1 If enough of us could convince just 1 or 2 other Christians to become or 2 other Christians to become politically educated and to vote, we politically educated and to vote, we could improve our Country in one could improve our Country in one election cycle!election cycle!

We must be involved for Self-We must be involved for Self-Preservation!Preservation!

ConclusionConclusion

Consider Consider fitting some of these concepts into a casual conversation with Christian friends, family and co-workers, especially those whom you know are not politically knowledgeable.

Next time the topic will be, “Jesus Next time the topic will be, “Jesus was involved in Politics”was involved in Politics”