Christians and the World

I don't know about any of you, but it seems I always find myself getting hung up on the issue of being a Christian “in the world but not of the world;” Seeking first the Kingdom of God (and its righteousness) while still living in the kingdom of this world (which is passing away).

It seems I’m always facing the dilemma; do we forgo earthly endeavors in order to focus more keenly on the Kingdom of Heaven? Do we need to get away from man and worldly (read earthy) things in order to be rightly focused on God and the “truly” spiritual things?
How are Christians to view their jobs, their relationships, and whatever other earthly activities they engage in? Are we to pour our energies into these things? Are we to have these things in our lives? Or will they only serve as a distraction from realizing the Kingdom of heaven? Will focusing on (or paying much attention to) earthly things (such as politics, social issues, careers, family etc) really honor God in the end? Or does it represent a “defocusing” on the Kingdom of Heaven and the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

Now, since it’s clear we can’t completely get away from these earthly things, (i.e. man must work if he is to eat) do we then just try to minimize these aspects as much as possible in order to maximize the heavenly aspects? Should we view this life as some kind of cosmic balancing act where we deny ourselves of earthly involvement in order to further our heavenly fulfillment?

Here is an blog I just read which touches on the dilemma. I thought it was quite good. Just so you know, these are some of the thoughts that still circle around in my mind… And although, I’ve considered them quite a bit, it’s still a struggle. So what can I say that I’ve learned? What’s my conclusion?

Honestly, I believe this is just evidence of how much we still battle the ancient (but perennially potent) heresy of Gnosticism in the Christian Church today. Thus we need to be constantly reminded from God’s Word about what His thoughts are on the matter… We are to have the mind of Christ [and that’s a lot different than the thoughts of the Gnostics (I might touch on this at a later entry)].

So it helps when faithful men point out [again, in my case (I’ve been through this before)] the doctrine of creation. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth... And he declared them to be good. We must have this view of things or else we will always run the risk of loosing our appreciation for what God has created (for His glory!). And thus, we will not offer up our whole lives to God (as living sacrifices pleasing to Him) but rather, we will offer pitiful mutations of the original – tragically stripped of the things God has created (for his Glory). Our jobs, our work, our families, our relationship, our communities, our societies -- all of creation He made, and He made them GOOD. And most importantly, He made it for His glory. And it honors and glorifies Him when we recognize that, and dishonors and doesn’t glorify Him when we don’t. In our pious attempt to please God by shunning this world, we actually displease Him by shunning his creation and withholding from Him our worship through those things.

He is both the giver and the creator of ALL of life. And thus He deserves it all.

For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving (1 Tim 4:4)

For His is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory forever. Amen

Should Christians get involved in Politics?

So here’s a question that comes up quite a bit in more conservative Christian circles: Should a Christian be involved in politics? And so I just want to touch on a few things. This was stuff I just posted on a discussion forum:

As Christians, I don’t necessarily think we ought to be so concerned about whether our presidential candidates are “born-again” Christians or not – whether they are baptized, or not. What we’re looking for is a “Commander and Chief,” not a minister, a pastor, or even a moral leader. Thus he or she must be able to fulfill the “job of President” with wisdom and competency. But we shouldn’t add requirements that wouldn’t be proper in other secular offices (CEO, Police Chief etc.).

As for Christians participating in government or the civil sphere, I think this is quite good. Why should they not? I understand some Christians may believe that this is wrongly getting involved in the affairs of this world.

However, when we live and breathe and eat and work and play and buy and sell -- we are participating in the things of this world. God has made all things, and even civil government is an institution He has vested with authority (to bear the sward) for the common good of mankind (punishing the evil doer). Becoming Christian (obtaining another citizenship in heaven) didn’t change the fact that we are still to be on this earth. Only now we have dual citizenship, both in the Kingdom of heaven, and in wherever God has placed us on earth. Thus render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s.

So, if it’s in our power to further love our neighbor (and if that’s through government) we should (as individual Christians) do it. And whether it’s through becoming a fireman and protecting one’s neighbors from fires, or becoming a policeman and protecting them from criminals, or becoming the president of the United States and protecting them from foreign enemies, I believe any of these jobs are quite good and honorable for a Christian.