One early morning, I walked into the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee and scroll through the news. The TV blared in the background with stories like:
“Pastors in Houston Texas have been issued subpoenas demanding they hand over any sermons dealing with homosexuality, gender identity, or anything about the city’s first openly gay mayor.”
And this: ”U.S. Common Core standards now require sex education from Kindergarten through grade 12. To qualify for federal grants, public schools are required to adopt these standards. Millions have been given to Planned Parenthood to hire sexuality teachers for public schools.”
I continued to read news stories about bills being proposed to restrain what a pastor can preach to his church, schools opening restrooms to kids who say they identify as another sex, and courts overturning good laws that were approved by the People.
I remember kneeling on the floor with tears rolling down my face asking God to use me to make a difference. I wrestled with many questions: What can one person do? Should Christians be in politics? What if people get mad at me when I stand up for what is right?
Then I remembered one of my favorite verses, 2 Chronicles 7:14, that says, “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.” Two important words: “IF” and “MY PEOPLE.” That means us!
My fear soon turned to urgency and resolve. We send missionaries all over the world, yet we stay out of government affairs. The involvement of a Christ-centered church is not only helpful, it is crucial. Just think what we could accomplish when we stand together for Biblical principles. How we could change the world if we had more Christians on school boards, city councils, state legislatures and in our courts.
So, what does the Bible say about Biblical Citizenship?
- Pay Taxes and give everyone what you owe them (Romans 13:6-7).
- Pray for our government (Romans 12:12, Phil 4:6, and many more!).
- Participate in government. God would not ordain government (Romans 13:1) and then tell Christians to stay out of it.
Policy is shaped by public opinion. We need to speak up for Biblical precepts. Let’s pledge allegiance to His Kingdom and create a better nation.
So, the question is not, “Should Christians be involved in politics?” The question is: “How can we afford not to be?”
Robyn Essex is the new Director of Community Alliances with Kansas Family Voice of Kansas.