I once heard a church leader say, “The next time I hear the Pastor talk about politics over the pulpit, I’m gone. The church is no place for that.” What she really did not like was the fact that the pastor said something contrary to her own political beliefs. It is impossible for a pastor to preach the unadulterated Word of God without touching on some subjects that cross over into politics. As leaders, or even as members, we cannot set limitations or restrictions on what a pastor may or may not preach. Ungodly political leaders who want to force their political designs on us know the power that God’s truth has to expose their deception. That is why they have tried so adamantly to silence the pastors and other spiritual leaders.
Jesus spoke on issues such as fair wages, unjust trade, oppression of widows and economics, even about whether we should pay taxes or not. Christians had no way to get involved in the political system of their day, but they did not shy away from preaching about something just because it had become a political issue.
The Apostle Paul talked about the Government; how they do not bear the sword in vain. He also talked in Romans 1 about the issue of homosexuality, which was just as political then as it is now.
“Choose wise, understanding, and knowledgeable men from among your tribes, and I will make them heads over you.” Deut 1:13.
God said that if we chose leaders, He would appoint them. We are suppose to choose them from among other believers. We are directed by God to get involved in the selection process of anyone that will exercise authority over us.
The Bible condemns those who shed innocent blood. How can any man of God stand by and be silent while innocent babies are being murdered by abortion under the deliberate deception of “women’s reproductive rights?” Millions of children have been murdered over the years this way while most of the mainstream churches have remained silent.
These are all important doctrines of the Church and they are also very political positions of today. If the Godly allow themselves to be silenced, only the ungodly will have a voice in public opinion.
As Christians, our political views must be in agreement with the principles of God’s Word, and the only way that can happen is if the pastors preach what God says about the political issues of our day. We have to shine the light of God’s Word into every area of our lives. When we do not, darkness prevails. Mainstream politics is full of lies and deception. There must be a platform of political truths that are based totally on the righteous concepts of scripture. We must become Christians, first and foremost.
Down through history, when evil rulers have taken power, they have come after the preachers of the gospel to silence them. They have always seen us as the enemy, for their deeds are evil and the truth we preach exposes their lies.
“…put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” (Col 3:10-13)
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Rom 12:2)
When Hitler was sending millions of Jews to their deaths in the gas chambers, millions of “good Christians” said nothing and did nothing. Many of the pastors and other church leaders in Germany went along with Hitler, preaching against the Jews as the “Christ-killers.” Any who dared to speak the truth of the Bible on the matter were threatened, silenced or killed. Many pastors in neighboring countries assisted Jews in escaping the terrors of Nazism. Many of them were also killed when their own countries fell to Hitler.
There are many historic examples of positive Christian influences through government.
- In ancient Rome, it caused the outlawing of infanticide, child abandonment and gladiatorial games.
- In later European civilizations it brought about the end of human sacrifice, the banning of pedophilia and polygamy.
- In India it stopped the burning of widows with their dead husbands.
- A devout Christian named William Wilberforce was the impetus behind the successful effort to abolish the slave trade in England.
- Two-thirds of the American abolitionists were Christian Pastors. . They could not stand by and do nothing while their fellow men were being subjected to such indignities and sufferings. Many churches became safe havens in the “underground railroad” for escaping slaves on their way to freedom in the north.
- Martin Luther King Jr., a Christian pastor, played an instrumental role in the civil rights movement against racial segregation and discrimination in the 1960’s.
Godly pastors and leaders have always been the conscience of a nation. In the years just prior to the founding of our nation, the leaders of England referred to the colonial pastors as the “black-robed regiment.” How can we be real for Christ if we silence our pastors?
As Christians, we cannot form our morals or our political views by what the secular world says. I am not a Caucasian Christian. I am a Christian who happens to be a Caucasian. There should be no such thing as black Christians, Hispanic Christians, or any other ethnic or worldly distinction. Those titles only cause division in the body of Christ. We are all called to let Christ be our all in all. He takes down the dividing walls that separate us from one another. We are to be renewed in our minds according to His image until Christ is formed in us. If you let the color of your skin, your ethnicity, or your cultures determine your political views, your faith has become shipwrecked. Your Christianity has become ineffective. We are not Democrats or Republicans; we are Christians and we must vote in agreement with the standard set by the principles of God’s Word. We should register with the party and vote for the person whose politics are more closely aligned with that Godly standard. If we are to take a stand on any issue, it must be one the Bible compels us to stand for, even when it goes against the prevailing political view of the day. To do otherwise could put us in a position of standing in opposition to the purpose and the plans of God.