Getting the Power Right
Evangelical Christians have often tried to gain power in the political sector by exercising the same kind of tactics utilized by those who are much better at it than we. We have managed to convince ourselves that the power to change men’s hearts regarding moral issues is directly proportional to the number of votes we can muster. Such thinking is foolish.
I am so glad to hear someone say that who might know a bit more about the political perspective than many of us. His opinion published by Tribune Media Services in the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram ought to be mandatory reading for all believers. Cal Thomas said, in part, in an opinion entitled “Christians may have learned the most from the election”-
“Suppose millions of conservative Evangelicals engaged in an old and proven type of radical behavior. Suppose they followed the admonition of Jesus to “love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit those in prison and care for widows and orphans,” not as ends, as so many liberals do by using government, but as a means of demonstrating God’s love for the whole person in order that people might seek him?
Such a strategy could be more “transformational” than electing a new president, even the first president of color. But in order to succeed, such a strategy would not be led by charismatic figures, who would raise lots of money, be interviewed on Sunday talk shows, author books and make gobs of money.
God teaches in his word that his power (if that is what conservative Evangelicals want and not their puny attempts at grabbing earthly power) is made perfect in weakness.
He speaks of the tiny mustard seed, the seemingly worthless widow’s mite, of taking the last place at the table and the humbling of one’s self, the washing of feet and similar acts and attitudes; the still, small voice.
How did conservative Evangelicals miss this and instead settle for a lesser power, which in reality is no power at all? When did they settle for an inferior “kingdom”?
Evangelicals are at a junction.
They can take the path that will lead them to more futility and ineffective attempts to reform culture through government, or they can embrace the far more powerful methods outlined by the one they claim to follow.
By following his example, they will decrease, but he will increase. They will get no credit, but they will see results.
If conservative Evangelicals choose obscurity and seek to glorify God, they will get much of what they hope for, but can never achieve, in and through politics.”
Would it surprise you if I said, “I Wish I’d Said That!”