PUTTING POLITICS IN IT'S RIGHTFUL PLACE

Jesus didn’t emphasize politics the way we do. This might be why…

When it comes to politics there is an unfortunate glaring difference between the Old and New Testaments. Today when we want to illustrate Kingdom influence in the public square or political sphere, our illustrations are almost always Old Testament examples. Stories of political and strategic alliances formed through marriage, courageous prophets boldly standing before a king and conveying a message from God, or Israel’s armies conquering territory, often by military force.

It is quite clear the difference in dispensation between “before the cross of Christ” and after. Therefore it is also crucial to make clear that imposing righteousness through political conquest - and the Kingdom that Jesus brought (and the way He brought it) stand in stark contrast. This is undeniable.

THE KINGDOM HAS COME. NOW WHAT?

The reality is, there was an Old Testament paradigm that operated the way it did because “Thy Kingdom” hadn’t come yet. But then Jesus brought the Kingdom and some things became tactically different. Unfortunately, we don’t really have any New Testament examples of Jesus or His disciples marching on Rome, lobbying or running for any type of political office.

Don’t tune me out just yet. I absolutely believe in the right to vote, serving in public office, engaging in politics and bringing Kingdom influence to government - and all spheres of life. Especially in our nation of Canada as a democracy, where our collective voices can enhance our national landscape, enhance living conditions and spur others to moral values. Lobbyists are needed no doubt. Petitions and political presence are crucial aspects of being a voice in our society.

However, when you look at the earthly life of Jesus as a whole (and the apostles), establishing the Kingdom through political efforts didn’t seem at all to be a component in their portfolio of strategies.

We do see Jesus encouraging the adherence to the laws of the land - “Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s…” (Matt 22:21) and also Apostle Paul encouraging the New Testament Church to “pray for its governing authorities” (1 Tim 2:1-4).

But overall, Jesus’ strategy for Kingdom influence had more of a  “relational” approach. One that might appear quite underwhelming in contrast to the goal of Christianity being to attain to the highest level of societal power and “Christianize” the nation through policy.

Rather, it appears that Jesus may have seen political legislation as more of a superficial cosmetic effort to bring change (here today, maybe gone tomorrow), rather than a superior never-to-fail eternal victory. I guess it depends on which kingdom He was the king of.

I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH

Rather than Jesus losing sleep over decisions made at the highest level of the government of the day, He declared that He was BUILDING something. Ah yes, isn’t it like our champion King not to waste an ounce of effort clashing with inferior systems and powers and instead, simply build HIS superior Kingdom right in the face of them. And this is exactly what made that moment so powerful, when Jesus told Peter,

“I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)

Jesus, standing in the midst of Caesaria Philippi in a region of idolatry literally known as “the Gate of Hades,” declared something that compels a paradigm shift. Jesus essentially declared that there was not a clash of earthly military or political powers (even Hades was outnumbered apparently), but rather, a victory had already been won. So therefore, Jesus was going to “build!” In fact, He was going to build His Church and Kingdom right in the midst of evil powers and all worldly systems and structures. This is also why we cannot leave out the next thing Jesus said in verse 19.  

“And I will give you the keys of the kingdom…”

The mandate had become the building of the Church and the advancement of the Kingdom. In the midst of political powers coming and going and nations rising and falling. In the midst of dark ages and enlightened ones. In the midst of kings put in power and kings removed. In the midst of political parties winning and political parties losing. Build the Kingdom! Because the Kingdom of God is and will always be superior. In fact, on one of the few occasions Jesus had an audience with the government of the day, He chose to say, “My Kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). He went on to say (and I paraphrase), “if my kingdom were of this world, my servants would use earthly force to fight for me.”

Apostle Paul actually carried the “building” paradigm further, describing himself as a “master builder” (1 Cor. 3:10), exhorting us to build only on Jesus Christ. He also placed great emphasis on building the Kingdom (and the Church) in face of persecutions, abasements and all manner of trials and tribulations. Political power as a greater way of establishing the Kingdom of God wasn’t on Paul’s agenda either.

WHAT AM I ARGUING HERE?

In the Old Testament we are thinking political (and sometimes military) conquest. In the New Testament we are thinking “build the Kingdom” - and even “occupy until” Jesus comes again, bringing with Him the fullness of what we have a downpayment of now.

This begs the question…

HOW DO WE BUILD THE KINGDOM IN THE MIDST OF THE KINGDOMS OF THIS WORLD?

Fasten your seatbelt - we are going somewhere here.

Building the Kingdom could perhaps sometimes have something to do with lobbying for better laws in the land that bring a nation peace and prosperity (for a time). It could sometimes look like voting in a democratic society so that the voice of the Church is heard, and righteous leadership has greater righteous influence. After all, Protestantism proved that Christian values (ie. dignity of labour) build a better society. We also know that human rights (ie. the value of life) was a gift given by Christianity that civilized a once barbaric world.

However, along with those important elements of “good works” that appear wherever Christianity is present, I believe there is a higher platform and office that Jesus introduced, the disciples multiplied, and the early Church demonstrated. That higher and arguably more powerful and effective strategy is this…

Building the Kingdom through divine encounters and genuine relationships that change hearts.

Sound a little boring and underwhelming?

However, whether it was Jesus taking the time to speak with the woman at the well, or travelling across the sea just to deliver the Gadarene demoniac, or Apostle Paul pleading for the marginalized Onesimus - real relationships and divine encounters that change hearts appear to be high level Kingdom strategy according to the New Testament. Not to mention Paul’s labor over the establishment of churches that increased in number one by one by one. Real relationships and divine assignments depopulate hell and populate heaven, everywhere we go.

So whether the Lord leads you to enter politics solely to bear witness of Christ to other members of parliament or you have a calling to sit in the highest seat of authority in government - the main thing is still the main thing. To build the Kingdom and bear witness of the Light in the midst of a world that’s getting darker and darker. And doing “the main thing” of course doesn’t mean we minimize the positive community impact you can have through the platform of politics.

But in the Kingdom of God the fact remains, the pursuit of the highest seats of perceived power in society, whether politics, the music industry or fame and fortune, are not necessarily the goal of the New Testament Believer. In the Kingdom of God, more earthly power, or strategic political positioning doesn’t necessarily mean you will be able to effectively build the Kingdom. An obsessive pursuit of earthly power has most often proven unfruitful, corrupting, and exhausting.

WHY ENGAGE POLITICS AT ALL THEN?

So why get involved in politics, civil leadership or pursue societal influence then? Well, one important reason is because our nation of Canada is a democracy, where our collective voices can enhance our national landscape, living conditions and spur others to moral values. In a democracy we have a voice, and our voice should be heard. Lobbyists are needed no doubt. Petitions and political presence are crucial aspects of being a voice in our society.

However, the GREATER reason to engage in this world’s systems and spheres, is one that will outlive this government, its policies and the next one. We are in this world to cultivate eternally impactful relationships. To build the Kingdom in a way that others want to enter and the meet the King because of their divine intersection with us.

THE POLITICAL LEAVEN

We that are apostles or apostolic in nature must guard ourselves against the allure of making ministry all about political posturing and conquest, or what Jesus might deem as superficial power in an inferior kingdom. A kingdom that will change and even pass away anyways.

A pursuit for power over earthly systems of society (“political leaven”), finds its way into the most unfortunate places. Like finding a false sense of power by moving up in the ranks of our denominations, or using politics and church lobbying to remove pastors and put pastors in church offices. It even finds its way onto our business cards bearing the powerful title we have given ourselves.

Once again, if we reference Jesus (or Apostle Paul) as our examples, we see a very different model. One of servant leadership. An upside down kingdom where “the greatest is the servant of all,” as apposed to the pursuit of power over others.

A PERSPECTIVE ON NATIONS

Trying to possess the nation (especially politically) is different than disciplining the nation. Eventually Jesus will “dash the nations,” (Rev. 2:27) because in the end, He doesn’t want man made systems and “kosmos.”

TO WHAT END DO WE “STAND ON GUARD FOR THEE?”

Have we become obsessed with “standing on guard” for our nation to the point we have neglected to disciple the nation? Are we so busy guarding our nation and grappling with our government that we have forgotten to populate the Kingdom of God? This is the irresponsibility of extreme nationalism.

Remember, Jesus is not coming back to marry your nation and its constitution. He is coming back to marry His Church, which already has a constitution- the Holy Bible.

WHY GOD SOMETIMES GIVES US MORALLY CORRUPT LEADERS

This might explain why in the world (quite literally) God sometimes puts people in power who we morally despise. In God’s sovereignty He will sometimes put our least favourite candidates in power in order to wake the Church up, or because of His global plans and global perspective. He sees things we don’t see and moves the pieces on the board for His global and eternal purposes.

THE MYSTERIOUS POWER OF PERSECUTION

History has shown that the kind of Church that grows, multiplies and shakes the world is the uncomfortable persecuted Church. After all, the more comfortable the State makes you, the less you rely on Jesus. As challenging as that sounds, it is an absolute fact.

Are we now to pursue persecution? Glory in martyrdom? Look for trouble? Of course not. But when persecution (of one measure or another) visits us (and Jesus promised it will) we already have a faithful King in Office, and a glorious and victorious Kingdom. So let’s build the Kingdom, in the midst of evil like Jesus did.

In a world where laws are passed and laws are reversed, where nations rise and nations fall, we have an incorruptible Kingdom that will never fall, falter or compromise - and of the increase of that Kingdom “there shall be no end.”

With love for Canada 🍁