Faith Filled Family Magazine September 2016 | Page 28
that true for all of us? All we have
to do is look around. A myriad of
paths to influence the action of
government abound.
How Christians can influence
Government
1.Voting. When we cast our vote
to elect politicians, we exercise
our power to directly influence
the selection of the people who
will shape government.
2. Phone Calls. We provide our
Christian perspective on an
issue that will affect many with
a phone call to a local, state or
national leaders to voice our
concerns,
3.Donating to campaigns. Donating to carefully selected campaigns provides the resources
needed to run a campaign
Definition 2
The work or job of people (such
as elected officials) who are part
of a government.
Contemporary Example
By actually running for office or
leading a political movement,
Christians can make their voice
and influence heard and felt.
What better person to influence
the laws of the land but an individual who has submitted his life
to the light of God’s word? If we
are ever need justification for
God’s people running for office,
take a look a Joseph. He became
a ruler in Egypt, and he used his
position to to not only save Egypt
during a time of famine but save
his own people’s lives. (Gen 40)
God positioned Joseph in Egypt
to preserve the lives of people
in Israel according to God’s plan
(Gen 45: 5 NIV). Sometimes
people are in a positon of leader-
ship because God placed them
there.
If an individual possesses the
ability to formulate policy and
communicates effectively, God
may call that person to lead
locally or nationally. For some,
politics is a dirty word, but if
a child of God can withstand
any of the temptations that are
prevalent in that arena, running
for office may just be what God
requires. Christians need to be
represented in every walk of life,
the political arena included
Definition 3
The opinions that someone has
about what should be done by
governments: a person’s political thoughts and opinions
For this example, the opinions
referred to are not our own. We
impart only one opinion and that
is the truth of God’s word. There
are some God-fearing people
who are called to deliver the prophetic voice to political figures.
This call to action is not necessarily a public act. It can be a
private conversation.
Consider Nathan and King
David. Nathan rebuked King
David because he had abused
his power, caused the death of
Uriah, and took his wife. In this
case, David paid the price and
repented. Rebuking politicians
could be risky, however. In the
case of John the Baptist who
rebuked Herod for taking his
brother’s wife, Herod had John
beheaded.
For most, the faith path through
politics does not result in martyrdom, but it does cause a call
to action. Remember “Faith by
itself, if it is not accompanied
by action, is dead” (James 2:17
NIV). The fallen world gives us
many opportunities to act in
faith. Where there is injustice the
Lord expects his people to speak
up. God commands Amos to,
“Let justice roll down like a river
and righteousness like a mighty
stream.”
How do Christians
show justice? The response
involves a political act.
When we have an opportunity to
do what is right, Christians must
step up. (Proverbs 3:27 NIV) Do
not withhold good from those
who deserve it, when it is in your
power to act.” So often we only
think of feeding the hungry and
other philanthropic acts when
we read this verse, but it can be
applicable to so much more. It
can also mean using our voices
to shape the political landscape
by supporting others who have a
calling for public service. It can
mean voting on referendums
that support care for the planet
which is our responsibility also.
As Christians we must flex our
spiritual muscles and give our
faith feet, hands, and mouths.
Involvement in politics is one
way to insure we are living a
functional faith.
References
Merriam Webster. Encyclopedia
Britannica, 1828. Web. 7 Aug.
2016.
http://www.merriam-webster.
com/dictionary/politics
(Politics and the Pulpit: An Essay
on the Rights and Duties of the
Christian Pulpit in Relation to
Politics.( Boston: American Tract
Society, [c1860])