New resource document for disciples about engaging in the political environment as the United States nears national elections in November.
The elders of the Hampton Roads Church (Clayton Walker, Kurt Woodham and myself) recently published a document with thoughts about politics and discipleship, and it has now been posted on the Hampton Roads Church website. As mentioned in the document’s introduction “The question reviewed by this short paper is this: to what degree should disciples of Jesus Christ, as members of the Hampton Roads Church, engage in the national political environment in which we find our country embroiled?“
The full document is available at the link provided above. Each elder provided additional thoughts in an “Afterword” section. My thoughts from that section are republished below. Please provide any or all of the elders with your feedback, and please pray for unity and love in the church during these difficult times.
STAYING UNIFIED
(Comments by Tom Benton)
The year 2020 may eventually be remembered in the United States for the things that separated us as a nation and conspired to bring disunity to our fellowship: COVID-19 with social distancing, racial injustice with unrest and protests, and the elections with politics. How should we as disciples act to keep from being separated from each other and preserving our unity, especially during the current heated election environment?
Paul wrote his letter to the Romans during a politically charged time, with Nero ruling a vast empire that included a particularly rebellious region in Palestine. That region had religious factions like the Jews and the newly formed sect of Christians, who Rome treated with discipline and persecution to maintain order. The unknown author of Hebrews, writing at around the same time as Paul’s letter to the Romans, mentions this persecution:
32 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34 You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. 35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
Hebrews 10:32-35 NIV
Paul’s letter to the Romans gives perspective on dealing with the politics and the government that can help guide us today.
Submit to what God has established
Romans 13:1 tells us that “there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” In our thoughts and discussions about politics, we should remember that God establishes all governments and nations, and they are under His authority. He established our nation, political system, and even those who currently and in the future will serve in office. While Romans 13 has sometimes wrongly been used to justify obedience to ungodly rulers, the scriptures teach us that we should first and foremost be subject to God’s law, but also be subject to our government and laws, trusting that God gave them authority. In dealing with politics, then, we need to trust that He is ruling over them all, and will shape His will as He did in the past with nations as they interacted with Israel. We need to fulfill our obligations to the authorities, as in the example the scriptures give of paying our taxes (Ro 13:6-7). We also need to give honor and respect to those in authority, and though we may not like a particular person, party or political organization, we can respect the position or at least their right in our country to voice their opinion, and we need to pray for all who are in power.
Love those who God has made
After mentioning the need to pay taxes, Paul tells the Romans to “let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another” (Ro 13:8). While we have laws in place that need to be obeyed, we also have God’s laws which are “summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Ro 13:9). In our discussions about politics, we need to speak truthfully (Eph 4:25), not in anger which can cause us to sin (Eph 4:26), but instead we should speak “only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs” (Eph 4:29). Keeping in mind that God established all authority and that no human political system or leader is perfect, we need to appeal to one another not to be separated by political views but build one another up in the love we share in Christ.
Live as God calls us to live
Finally, Paul reminds us that “the night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Ro 13:12). We need to “behave decently” (Ro 13:13) and not act sinfully or in a manner not worthy of our Savior. Time is short, so we need to focus on our mission to make disciples, not on political discourse. One thing available to us but not available in Paul’s time is social media. There is an immediacy (“night is nearly over”) and anonymity (“deeds of darkness”) about social media that causes many to express themselves in a way that they wouldn’t do face to face with their family, friends, or fellow disciples. We need to take care what we say on social media as well as in our discussions both with those in the church and outside of our church relationships. Our words can do great harm to relationships and can make us appear just like those in the world, but we are called to show the world the light of the gospel by how we act and speak.
Final thoughts
In the United States, we have the right and privilege of participating in our government process. If you’re eligible, register and vote! God established all the nations and all authority, so no matter who wins an election, pray for God to use them and their role in the governing process. If you have strong feelings on an issue, discuss them! However, be sure to follow Paul’s advice and take care to build others up in love. Are you active in social media and or other ways supporting your cause? Remember that your mission is first the same as Jesus’: to seek and save the lost. Ask yourself if you’re spending more time on social media or in Bible study, or if you’re preaching more about politics or the good news of Jesus as Lord.
2020 doesn’t have to be remembered as a year of separation and differences: it can be remembered as the year the church grew more unified in our love for one another and our purpose.