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Making The Kingdom Great Again
Brian Mashburn
October 16, 2016
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Election Time
There is a special sense of urgency upon us as a nation this election season, a feeling that there is more at stake this time around concerning what the world around us might turn into depending on who we follow. What will the government be about, and what sort of world will result, under the stewardship of our next President?
It is a legitimate concern, and some feel strongly about their opinions. To me, it mimics the sense of urgency and concern that Christians are to maintain at all times, only about something much higher and more important than the political direction of any earthly nation. However, there are some Christians who are never more zealous than they are at election time. And they often mix their Kingdom focus and zeal with their political one, as if one must be accomplished by the other.
Christians that lean left (often called progressives or liberals, associated with Democrats) are certain that because Jesus aligns himself with the poor, he is on the side of big government and societal charity. Christians that lean right (often called conservatives, associated with Republicans) are certain that Jesus calls for individual responsibility, and so Jesus is on the side of small government, calling his church to charity. As a result, Christians will gladly overlook character flaws of their candidate and/or scoff at the ones of their opposition with a religious self-righteousness, that compromises their own character in the process that says we should, "not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (Eph 4:29)
Dear Christian: Pray for our election, and our leaders, regardless of outcome. But put your hope and zeal behind the Kingdom of Christ. For "of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end." (Is 9:7)
Today, we begin a study of this Kingdom, what it is exactly, and how we can be patriots of it above all else.