In this blog series, I am responding point by point to a column written by Greg Stier, the President and Founder of Dare 2 Share Ministries entitled, “Ten Reasons Why Pastors Should Focus More on the Gospel Than on Politics.” Here’s Greg’s fourth point and my response.

#4. We are citizens of a different kingdom (Philippians 3:20)

To borrow from the writings of St. Augustine, as Christians we are living in tension between two worlds, the City of God and the City of Man. The dual command to love God and to love our neighbor means that we cannot ignore either. We have a responsibility to work toward the common good, while we proclaim the good news of the gospel. It is true that our ultimate citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20) and takes priority; however, we nevertheless have a mandate from our Lord to “occupy” until He comes. The local church should provide a context for compassionate social service and a training ground for public action, including political involvement. To live for the next life, while ignoring the screaming needs of this life, is both short-sided and irresponsible.

In this blog series, I am responding point by point to a column written by Greg Stier, the President and Founder of Dare 2 Share Ministries entitled, “Ten Reasons Why Pastors Should Focus More on the Gospel Than on Politics.” Here’s Greg’s third point and my response.

3. It’s what Jesus calls us to do (Acts 1:6-8)

Yes, we are called to preach the gospel; however, the problem lies in our understanding of the scope of the gospel message. In Acts 1:6-8, the disciples, like much of the Church today, are focused on the second coming. They want to know when Christ is coming to establish His earthly kingdom. They are focused on leaving the planet instead of leading the planet! Jesus reminds them that God has the end already planned. They, instead, are to focus on being Spirit-empowered witnesses throughout the earth.

In Matthew 4:23, we read “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.” Jesus preached “the gospel of the kingdom.” This is the same gospel we are commissioned to preach. “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14)

What is the gospel of the kingdom?

The word kingdom means “king’s domain.” The gospel of the kingdom is the good news that Jesus is Lord over all creation. It is summed up in the declaration, “The Lord reigns!” The gospel we are admonished to share with others is that Jesus is Lord over everything, including civil government. The Apostle John reminds us that Jesus is the “Ruler over the kings of the earth.” (Revelation 1:15) Jesus is the “King of kings and the Lord of lords” (I Timothy 6:15). A gospel that is limited to personal salvation alone, severely limits the full intent of God’s redemptive plan.

In this blog series, I am responding point by point to a column written by Greg Stier, the President and Founder of Dare 2 Share Ministries entitled, “Ten Reasons Why Pastors Should Focus More on the Gospel Than on Politics.” Here’s Greg’s second point and my response.

2. The gospel will transform our politics, not vice versa (Romans 12:1,2)

I wholeheartedly concur with Stier on this point. We must never be guilty of allowing our political agenda to twist the clear teaching of God’s Word. A great example of this is when President Obama recently invoked Jesus in support for “gay-marriage,” even though the Scriptures cleary forbid this type of sexual behavior. God’s Word must form and shape our philosophy of good government, not vice versa.

My concern with Stier is on the implementation of this principle. He writes, “The gospel will transform our politics.” Amen! Then why are we currently experiencing the greatest attack on religious liberty in our nation’s history? Why are we witnessing unprecedented moral decay? Why are we being led by those who are hostile to the Christian worldview?

I believe it’s because we have failed to allow the gospel to transform our political scene. When we compartmentalize the gospel, relegating it to the realm of personal salvation only, it becomes irrelevant to the rest of life, including civil government. The gospel will only transform politics when Christians are intentional about getting involved. The Bible has much to say about government. Our Founding Fathers built this nation on the unique concepts found in the pages of the Scripture. We cannot just sit back and hope that a person’s salvation experience somehow translates to good public policy. Our preaching of the gospel must include the mandate to make disciples of all nations. The fact that we have godless people promoting wicked policies is a sign the Church has failed in her assignment to transform civil government.