When and how should Christians speak up about the world around them? Should we separate ourselves from matters of state? Here’s what God has to say.
Lets take a look at Psalm 148 and get our foundation prepared for God’s perspective.
This particular portion of Psalms 148 speaks to the effect that all people, those of high status and low status, those of political clout and those within political authority should praise the name of the Lord. I am not saying that we should live in a theocracy, but merely bringing a message to Christians who believe that we should be separated from the state.
Nearly every king in the Bible had a prophet that spoke boldly, and in many cases against the policies of the king. Pharaoh had Moses, King Saul had Samuel, David had Nathan, Ahab had Elijah, Nebuchadnezzar had Daniel, and so on. As Christians, we are supposed to be involved in politics and speak up when we see things that are against the will of God, as exampled by these prophets of old. We should never be silent by speaking up about politics and current events within the pulpit simply because of a misunderstanding of the phrase “separation of church and state”.
In Nazi Germany, the “silent churches” did not choose to get involved when they saw their leaders moving in a dark direction. History, and our Lord Jesus Christ, remembered their lack of actions. Some churches decided to speak up and they met their fate at the point of the particular sword of the day.
Do not mistake this post as a rallying cry against our current President. I am saying that all Christians should speak up about all matters of public interests, which include discrimination, homosexuality, abortion, politics, and various other “hot button” issues. We should also speak out when our president and administration goes against the word of God. AS WELL AS rioting protesters who would wish to bring about their anti-god ideals.
In speaking up, we (Christians) should keep in mind that we are to do so with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15). When we do this to the lost folks, they will not feel that our words are gentle and respectful, but we must fulfill the will of God, and God will see that we have done so in his eyes. Lost folks don’t understand, and they are fulfilling their job description to the letter, that is, to rebel against God, his will, and his people (1 Samuel 15:22-23, Romans 3:11, John 8:44). We are not to judge, that is, we are not to cast down punishment, for that authority alone is reserved for Jesus (John 5:22), but we are to discern, and bring the attention of things that are wrong. We are to look at the actions of others and be able to say “this is bad ” (Matthew 7:15-20), but again, dispensing of punishment is meant for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We are also to keep in mind that we are to work on our own failings first before we even attempt to point out the feelings of others (Matthew 7:1-6). What is the guiding principle for Christians as to what is considered right and wrong? What is right and wrong are found within the pages of the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16) and not by what is being said, and written about within the pages of societies’s papers and posts.
Soon, the author will step onto the stage in the play will be over.
Soon, Jesus will appear again on earth and the dark times for which we are living in full immediately fade away, and all of this will not even be a memory (Revelation 21:4).
