What political party or side is right?

What should a Christian do when it comes to politics?

If you want my straight, simple, and short answer, I would recommend that Christians avoid political means altogether. That is just where I am at this point in my journey. It doesn’t mean that I’m judging you as unworthy of the gospel if you do.

It’s just what I believe to be best.

This is where I lose a LOT of people!

The question is usually, “Do you mean we just let them do evil things to others and do nothing?”

The question betrays the problem.

Why do so many Christian people see using political and governmental means as the ONLY way to solve the problems and end the evils we see in our society?

These same Christians would be appalled at someone criticizing them for doing nothing when they are actively praying over a tragic circumstance.

But somehow, when it comes to the political realm, the use of political power and force become the weapon of choice for the Christian, the preferred means to a righteous end.

Speaking from principle, I see political power and political force as forms of violence. All political power and force extends to the use of government agents to impose and enforce one’s own standards on another, violating the will and eviscerating the conscience.

I see this as an unrighteous approach. I’m going to explain my view tin this three part series.

Don’t misunderstand. 

Avoiding political means does not mean that Christians shouldn’t speak out and act in opposition to the evils we see. It means, simply, that we refuse to use the violent force of government in seeking the society we desire.

Instead of trusting in the power of governmental authority, we will major on trusting in the power of the Holy Spirit to transform human hearts and minds. However, we shouldn’t expect this society to emerge without our own efforts to draw near to Christ through the Spirit.

I’m going to make my argument, beginning with Christ, surveying the scriptures, and ending with the early disciples, as for why I believe using government force and power is antithetical to the Christian faith.

Case From Christ

I’m going to begin building my case with Christ. He is the lens through which I understand my place in this world and the proper treatment of scripture. Let’s start where this message begins in Jesus’ life: the temptation.

“And he led Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore if You worship before me, it shall all be Yours.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’”

Luke 4:5-8 NASB 95

Satan showed Jesus “all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time” and promised Him all the pomp, pageantry, and power that comes with this world’s kingdoms.

Jesus saw the spiritual reality behind the kingdoms of this world and turned down the offer.

It happened again after He fed the 5,000, a sign so remarkable that the recipients were ready to make Him king.

Therefore when the people saw the sign which He had performed, they said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.” So Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone.”

John [6:14]-15 NASB 95 (emphasis added)

The people were ready to make Him king. They were willing to do so by force, if necessary. Jesus, for a second time, steps away from the opportunity to be an authorized political king over a kingdom in this world.

Later in His ministry, Jesus was in Jerusalem. As His disciples marveled over the beauty and grandeur of the Temple Mount, Jesus informed them of it’s coming utter destruction and desolation.

The disciples’ question could indeed be viewed as an invitation to subvert the plan and take political power.

“Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

– Matthew 24:3b NASB 95

They were hopeful that Jesus would describe the coming revolutionary fight that would forcefully and emphatically expel Rome from it’s occupation of Jerusalem. Instead, Jesus laid out the timetable for the events culminating in 70AD with the conflagration of Jerusalem by none other than Rome.

On the night of Jesus’ betrayal, His final quiet time of prayer would be abruptly interrupted by those coming to arrest Him in the Garden of Gethsemane. After Judas’ kiss of betrayal, the guards moved in and Peter lopped of Malchus’ ear.

It seemed to him, and quite probably to all of His disciples, that this was now the time for the violent revolution to begin.

But, it wasn’t.

Jesus healed Malchus and chided Peter.

“Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword.”

-Matthew [26:52]b NASB 95

I don’t know how Jesus could have been any more clear. His followers are not supposed to use violent force to achieve His kingdom’s goals. Government, and violent revolution against government, is violent force. 

Yet, another refusal to take the reins of political power.

After His arrest, while on trial before Pilate, one of Jesus’ most famous quotes of comparison is found. Pilate presses Jesus about His identity as a king. Jesus, again, sets the record straight.

“My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.”

-John [18:36]b NASB 95

Jesus’ kingdom was not then and is not now a kingdom of this world. Politics, intrigue, political power, and violence are not the substance of His kingdom. 

This wash, rinse, repeat cycle of Jesus’ refusing any benefit from the political power offered by kingdoms of this world should be quite evident at this point.

Yet, He wasn’t done.

As He hung on the cross, note what is demanded of Him.

“Let this Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, so that we may see and believe!”

-Mark [15:32]a NASB 95

The crowds wanted a simple proof. If Jesus was the Messiah, the Christ, and also the promised, coming King of Israel, then He should prove it now by coming down of the cross.

Such a move would establish His political right in the political kingdom of this world and spark a revolution against Rome. Would Jesus accommodate the crowd’s demands and become the political powerhouse they desired?

No. Moments later Jesus breathed His last breath.

He would not come down.

He would not be a political king.

He wanted nothing to do with the political power available in any of the kingdoms of this world. I talk about why in a minute, but first, Jesus made a seventh refusal to take political power.

Six while He lived and one after He lived again for a total of seven.

If you believe in the power of biblical numbers, where does seven rank on your list?

Because according to Luke’s accounting in the book of Acts, Jesus would refuse political power one last time before He ascended.

“So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?””

-Acts 1:6 NASB 95

Jesus is risen, having conquered death. Certainly that would have been the perfect opportunity to march into Jerusalem, claim what was rightfully His, and the lead the violent, revolutionary, overthrow of Rome and free Israel. Maybe they came to Jesus with the #FreeIsrael … just kidding.

For a seventh time Jesus refuses to use political power and force. His kingdom isn’t of this world, but it is within us. He makes that point in response.

“He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.””

-Acts 1:7-8 NASB 95

While they sought political power, He gave them spiritual power to be His witnesses of His kingdom all over the world. Jesus wasn’t just about Jerusalem or the nation of Israel.

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The Case Against Political Means, Part 1 was written by Mark West
Mark West is the author of the book What He Said: Living the Sermon on the Mount, Transforming American Culture that is available to purchase online at www.markwest-author.com
That’s Me in the Corner: Politics “Trump”-ed My Faith, Part 3 of 3 was originally published here