The Christian and the State

The presidential election is finally upon us. This is a moment when Christians need to think hard about what it means to follow Jesus here and now, in 2008. Let me offer a few key biblical perspectives:

First things first: we’re citizens of God’s kingdom, and our ultimate allegiance is to King Jesus (Rev 19:16). He’s the “Commander-in-Chief” to whom we owe supreme devotion. “Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil 3:20; Heb 9:28). Under the sovereign leader­ship of God’s Spirit, we’re enroute to “a better country, a heavenly one” (Heb 11:16). Today we live as sojourners, not settlers.

And yet, during this earthly journey it’s right to obey the law of the land (Rom 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17). In fact, Christians demonstrate trust in God when they affirm his delegation of authority to the state. Still, such compliance is always conditional: if pressed by human powers to dishonor or disobey our Lord, “we must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29; 4:19) and accept the consequences as “strangers and exiles on earth” (Heb 11:13, 35-38).

Christians should expect to face opposition or even persecution. Our daily trek involves carrying a cross (Luke 9:23); in this world “you will have tribulation” (John 16:33); the world hates Jesus’ people because they (we) “are not of this world” (John 15:19; 17:14); “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim 3:12); “Woe to you when all men speak well of you” (Luke 6:26). Not that we should despair or give up on showing Jesus’ love to neighbors (1 Pet 2:12; 1 Thess 4:12; Jas 1:27): some will be receptive to our witness! In fact…

Christ says we’re “the light of the world” and “the salt of the earth” (Matt 5:13-16)—and light and salt permeate their environments for good. But we can’t be salt and light while retreating from society or hiding away in Christian ghettoes. We’re taught to love our neigh­bors as ourselves (Matt 22:37-40; Luke 10:37), and acts of neighbor love are not just for their benefit in the life to come: we must seek God’s help to spread his material and spiritual blessings here and now as well (Luke 3:11; 1 John 3:17; Matt 11:28-30; John 10:10).

So let’s join in prayer for God’s guidance, even as we vote, to love our neighbors and seek their good.

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Waiting for the Morning

We live in tumultuous times. Granted, a “Bubonic Plague” isn’t wiping out half our population; obviously, things could be worse. But the convergence of escalating campaign tensions, a “once in a century credit tsunami” (Greenspan’s expression), and the other life challenges we face can discourage and depress: this is a moment when our faith in Christ is on the stand. I urge you to find time today to let the life-giving, perspective-providing Word of God in Psalm 130 (NIV) speak to your soul [brackets indicate my comments]:

1) Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD; [Let your weakness, fears and afflictions prompt you to turn to God and not just to stimulate greater self-motivation; “the depths” is a place of helplessness from which we need the Lord to lift us up. Can you admit to being there?]

2) O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. [Of course, calling for mercy means confessing sin—we’re not just down or downcast because of bad stuff “out there” coming at us, but also because of our own wayward, rebellious hearts.]

3) If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? 4) But with you there is forgive­ness; therefore you are feared. [Notice this absolutely crucial connection—really important: awareness of God’s mercy and forgiveness does NOT lead to an attitude on our part of taking sin lightly (“You can always confess later…”), but to an attitude of deep awe and reverence: God is “feared.”]

5) I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. 6) My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. [Faith involves waiting—yet waiting has no meaning if all is well, if all is easy, sunny and smiley. God builds all kinds of “waiting rooms” into our lives, and he does so for our good: waiting is just what the Great Physician has ordered for us. How do you handle life in the “waiting room”?]

7) O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. 8) He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins. [Notice the adjectives describing the Lord’s love and redemption: they are “unfailing” and “full.” Notice the reach of God’s redeeming love: from “all” their sins. Amidst the tsunamis of today, with our minor crises and even some major calamities, let the strong, unshakable love of God calm your soul and undergird your faith!]

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Persecuted Church in India

The persecution of Christians in India's northern province of Orissa has been gaining momentum. A recent BBC video documents some of the suffering. Christianity Today has also been tracking this upsurge of violence against the church (e.g., click here).

"Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body" (Hebrews 13:3, ESV). Let's remember our brothers and sisters in prayer!
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Phor Phillies Phans

The other night I watched our Phillies finish off the Dodgers and win the National League Pennant Series. But still, to find the Phillies game I had to surf through TV channels covering the final McCain-Obama debate. The truth is, I found myself wandering back and forth between the game and the debate.

So there I am, sitting in front of the tube, oscillating between heavy and light-weight matters: McCain and Obama putting forward plans to solve the economic crisis, create jobs, strengthen America’s presence in the world and so forth on one channel, and in the meantime Cole Hamels throwing smoke at L.A. batters on another. Talk of national security, civil rights and global terrorism on the one hand, and broken bats, double plays and rally caps on the other. What’s wrong with this picture?

The problem is, this jarring clash, this deep dissonance between the profound and the mundane, didn’t really bother me at first. But the more I reflect, the more odd it seems—how we get so engaged and engrossed in things which, at the end of the day, are trivial. We have to admit it, don’t we: throwing and hitting a ball around a field may be loads of fun, but it really doesn’t matter much in the grand scheme of things.

So what’s the appeal—why do baseball games and other inconsequential contests grab our attention the way they do? Because deep inside, as beings made in the image of God (Gen 1:26-27), we have a need and passion to worship Greatness and applaud the Divine Victor who reigns over all the universe. God built eternity into our hearts (Eccl 3:11); the human soul is a homing device pointing to heaven. We’re wired to admire and exalt the One who reigns supreme.

This in-built need to praise and prevail drives a lot of sports mania. And adoring fans of Hollywood stars and pop musicians play the same tune in a different key. But beneath it all is a common drive: a God-given passion for the Lord in all his glorious, sovereign supremacy. It’s this yearning that people act out and often redirect in praise of earthly heroes.

To believers, then, I say: guard your soul! Enjoy the games, but make sure your heart of hearts stays enthralled with the risen, victorious Christ! And further, be on the lookout for how sports mania may open doors for sharing your faith: maybe you’ll have opportunites to think out loud with people about all the gushing praise from Phillies Phans, and about the One truly deserving of our joyful admiration!
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Human Rights

In light of Barack Obama's strong pro-choice position, I've been wondering how he might answer this question: What arguments persuade you that the unborn are not people?

Some Obama volunteers came to our door the other day, so I asked them this question: "Have you heard him explain why he thinks the unborn are not people?" They were rather transparent: no, this question has not been addressed.

But it needs to be addressed. Because, if abortion is to be acceptable in America, where we affirm the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all people--where we insist that these are inalienable rights to which all human beings are entitled--then one would need to be persuaded that the unborn are not people.

Either that, or one would have to say some people are more equal than others.

So I wonder. I wonder what Obama would say.

By the way, you might want to read the recent article from Robert P. George of Princeton University for a searching assessment of Obama's record and stance on abortion.
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Financial Storms

Money is in the news these days—and the news is not good. That makes this a key moment to be sure we’re seeing financial matters the way God sees them. Let’s ask some questions.

Where did you get the things you have? From God (1 Cor 4:7), the giver of every good gift (Jas 1:17). He gives us life and breath and everything (Acts 17:25). The ability to make money is also from the Lord (Deut 8:18).

“The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it” (Psalm 24:1). Do you embrace the fact that all you have is really God’s? Even you belong to God—you were bought with a price (1 Cor 6:20). So that car of yours—it’s God’s. And your clothes: God’s. And your bank accounts and investments (shriveled as they may be) are God’s. And your electronics and books and house and ipod and vacation home and …

So if it’s all from God and belongs to God, what’s our role? We’re stewards, caretakers. Before the return of Christ, our job is to use all we have (time, talents, treasure) to serve others in ways that please the Owner—so when he comes back he finds us faithful (Luke 12:41-48). Are you using all you have to honor Christ and spread his Gospel?

Where does giving to God’s grand global cause (otherwise known as the church) fit into the scheme of things? Think about how the Macedonians set the pace for God-exalting, truly amazing giving: they were severely impoverished and yet they gave gen­erously, freely, gladly, beyond their means (beyond?!) (2 Cor 8:1-5). The point? You don’t have to be wealthy to excel in giving (Luke 21:1-4). In fact, loss of wealth may be just the medicine we need so we can give with radical generosity despite our lack. Jesus meant it when he said it’s more blessed to give than receive (Acts 20:35). Yes, the conventional wisdom says stockpile wealth for self (Luke 12:16-21), but God’s wisdom says work to gain to give (Eph 4:28). Be on the lookout for neighbors to bless right now amidst this economic hurricane—God may use your Christ-like love to bring your lost friends into his forever-family!

How should we feel as we watch American economic power droop and our own finances fade? Be content with food and clothing (2 Tim 6:8); be content with plenty or want (Phil 4:11); be content with what you have (Heb 13:5)? Why? Because the Lord will never leave or forsake his children. God may blow away our creature comforts, but HE will not leave us. And if we have Christ, we have enough!

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