The rise of the Christian Coalition in the 1980s helped Ronald Reagan win the presidency and shaped the public debate in a big way. The protection of the unborn and other social causes were championed with renewed vigor and tremendous success. Church attenders were educated and mobilized to vote for candidates who supported their views. Social conservatives gained new influence on local and national levels.
But some would say the Christian community has paid far too high of a price for that political influence. It seems there is a new resolve among evangelicals to distance themselves from politics or anything that would appear partisan. This current trend among conservative evangelicals came to mind recently as a read this passage:
First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity—1 Timothy 2:1-2.
Here I’ve outlined three simple public square priorities for Jesus-followers:
1. Jesus followers go public for Kingdom impact.
Paul “urged” (that’s a strong word) Timothy to pray for men everywhere and then he specified kings and others in authority. Prayer is a basic responsibility believers have to those who govern us because only God can produce authentic life change. Paul knew there would be no Kingdom impact apart from the Spirit of God working through believers.
2. Jesus followers go public to serve people.
Paul called Timothy to do something (pray) for the decision-makers. As we read about great men of the Bible who engaged in the affairs of government, we discover their success was established on a platform of service.
Joseph’s service to Potipher and to the prisoners gave him credibility. The same was true of Mordecai, Nehemiah, and Daniel. In the New Testament, Paul met with leaders in the public square from a posture of compassion. Jesus served people and therefore influenced men.
Too often, churches are parasites, taking more than they give. Believers often abandon the call to love our neighbors and instead we love only people who believe like we believe. That decision has cost us relevance and influence, and is directly opposed to our mission of making disciples of all peoples.
3. Jesus followers go public to promote righteousness.
In an attempt to project a kinder, gentler tone, some new evangelicals are now retreating from any efforts to influence the public debate. This new muted isolationism fails to advance the Kingdom and is inconsistent with biblical Christianity. Throughout the Old and New Testaments we find Spirit-led men and women involved in government and community issues, and courageously promoting righteousness.
Being salt and light means Christians are building relationships in the community, speaking the truth in love, and informing the decisions of leaders. We just do it from the more credible platform of genuine compassion and skilled service. We earn the right to speak into lives of people when those people know we care more about them, their interests, their kids, and their future than we do about ourselves.
Certainly, there is an unseemly caricature of conservative Christians we want to dispel. But just as an over-emphasis on political activism among believers has hurt the cause of Christ, so will continued passivity and disengagement. Jesus’ Kingdom is not an American or nationalistic kingdom. We are engaged in God’s global mission. But we are planted in this community. This is the missional context for our Kingdom work. And the spiritual climate we build today will deeply affect the generations of tomorrow.
So pray for leaders. Discover ways to serve the community. Learn to love your neighbors. Give more than you take. Be holy. And when God gives you favor, influence decisions that will promote righteousness and protect the innocent.
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