Say “No” to Politics?

Most of you probably can’t read this post fast enough in hopes of seeing my answer so that you can pronounce my cultural damnation.

With politics being at their height, its no wonder why both presumptive nominees are considered celebrities more than they are considered politicians. Its a battle to see who will win out, causing “CHANGE FOR THE LAND OF THE FREE AND HOME OF THE BRAVE”. In the blue corner we have senator Barack Obama who, win or lose, will rewrite history on how he changed America by being the first African American presidential candidate for the democratic party. In the red corner we have senator John McCain who seeks to change history by putting his experience and new hopes for the GOP to the test. Both claim change, attention and the hearts of Americans like never before.

Given the history of our country, would minorities (who are strongly becoming the majority) vote for Obama if he were a Caucasian representing the same policies? Should African Americans be more excited about his skin color being in the white house over his politics and his morals? Should Christians fall in line with McCain pumping their fists saying, “He’s pro-life and opposes same sex marriages?”, as if Christianity and the world hinges on two moral issues.

These issues, although prevalent thoughts in our culture, are not the hills you should be dying on. The issue rather, is more about campaigning Christ in the culture then it is dying for these extremely lesser ideas. Politics, in this case, Obama and McCain, will never cause the change that Christ has caused or will cause. Neither one of these men have supernaturally lived, died and rose from the dead. Neither one of these men will have an everlasting kingdom or the infinite wisdom necessary to cause the change that is needed. Despite what hope people put in these men their policies and promises cannot redeem what is lost from an eternal standpoint.

So what then? Do we say “no” to politics? No, only to drugs. Its more a matter of saying “yes” to Christ and His cross than it is “yes” or “no” to politics. The picture in the heading speaks to the heart of man (Christians included) who tend to find salvation in our government rather than Jesus. We are called to be his hands and feet, to cause eternal change and not earthly division. Jesus requires us to have a duty to the culture (Romans 13), but the means should never eclipse the One whom we are seeking to exalt. Check out this stat from Generousgiving.org; between $1.54 trillion and $6.72 trillion in assets are in the hands of American evangelicals, not including the value of their primary homes. The average amount of money given by a full or confirmed member of a U.S. Christian church in 2004 was $691.93—an average of $13.31 per week. (Selah on that)

Christ will indeed mount a white horse not a donkey or an elephant. We have so many resources as the church, but haven’t even begun to do our part. Lets not look to someone else or a party for the answer when that’s our calling. Show me a life who believes in the literal return of Christ and the beauty of the cross and I will show you a life that is impacting. Show me a multitude who believe the same and I’ll show you a world who is truly revolutionized for Christ.