I am in a conundrum (ever since the TV show ‘7 Days’ I have loved that word). I have been talking about the Christian’s responsibility to participate in the democratic process and the obligation that we have to put forth a biblical worldview for the betterment of our communities. The problem is that politics polarizes people – even Christian people. Here is my conundrum: the Apostle Paul said, “For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more.” Of course, he didn’t compromise moral or theological purity but he was willing to put aside differences for the sake of winning people to Christ.
When entering the political realm there are differences of philosophy, methodology, and perspective, and these differences can polarize people and create anger and bitterness. So how does a Christian, who wants to win people to Christ, participate in a forum that can polarize them from those whom they want to lead to the Savior?
Paul presented himself as a Jew to the Jews, obeyed the law so as not to offend those under the law, when he was with gentiles he set aside the ceremonial law so that he could relate to them all for the purpose of presenting the gospel unhindered.
So, should I be a democrat around democrats, republicans around republicans, and libertine around libertarians? Should I be for taxes and then against taxes depending on whom I am with? I think the Apostle would tell me that there is nothing more important then sharing Christ and everything else (political) belongs to Creaser. He probably would submit himself to any government regulation (that wasn’t contrary to God’s word) and focus on the proclamation of the gospel.
So today I want you to answer my conundrum. Should the Christian stand apart from politics so that he won’t polarize himself from those he wants to reach with the gospel? Should the gospel be the only thing that should offend people? Step up, what do you think?
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
Paul’s Revolution – Day 10
Pit-bulls are neutered free. So when I took my dachshund to have him clipped I introduced him as my Pit-bull. They didn’t believe me. Well, the other night (at my sons college) some of the students wanted to see my dogs, who were asleep in the Jeep. So I took them out and let the dogs run around while everyone admired them. No one noticed the pit-bull who stealthily came up behind us, except for my dachshund, Tobi. He lunged after the pit-bull ferociously barking and snarling. I was like, NOOOO! One bite and my dachshund would be just a dach with no shund. Stephen took Mysti (the black lab who was totally unaware) and I went for Tobi (trying to keep myself from being bit). To my surprise the pit-bull moved quickly away from Tobi. I couldn’t tell if he was slightly scared, surprised, or merely annoyed. But my vicious little dachshund won the day.
It was a David and Goliath moment. That is how I feel when it comes to my relationship with the government. Who am I to say anything or do anything that will really matter? They are so big and unmovable. All I will do is irritate them and they will come after me and bite my head off. That’s why most of us don’t stand up for right when the government intrudes in our lives unfairly or unjustly. We don’t want to end up on their bad list.
For evil to triumph all it takes is for good people to do nothing. We have a right and responsibility speak up and speak out. We don’t have to be rude, disrespectful, or mean, but we need to be passionate, reasonable and persistent. So where does it start? That’s a good question and I am glad you asked.
I have never been one to be involved with local politics but that is where we can have the greatest impact. Local governments are more responsive to their constituents because they live in the same communities. Some of the highest taxes are our property taxes. We have to hold our local government responsible to keeping the budget in check and our taxes to a minimum. Of course that will depend on what the community believes is a need, a necessity, or a right in relation to community services. The more we require of the government the more our taxes will go up. We can’t have it both ways—low taxes and an abundance of government services.
The larger the community the more people disengage as participants in their local politics and then when taxes are out of hand or the government’s intrusion is unbearable we scratch our heads and wonder what happened. What would it take for us to be more active in our community politics? Start by being informed. We have a right to know what our city spends money on and why they collect the fees and taxes they do. Be informed and then help inform other people. We each have to be responsible for our own finances, and we have a right to hold our politicians to being responsible with the money we have entrusted them with. It’s not their money to do with whatever they want. It is our money given in trust for the common good. Don’t stick your head in the sand – be informed. Now, where is that pit-bull? I think it needs a leash.
It was a David and Goliath moment. That is how I feel when it comes to my relationship with the government. Who am I to say anything or do anything that will really matter? They are so big and unmovable. All I will do is irritate them and they will come after me and bite my head off. That’s why most of us don’t stand up for right when the government intrudes in our lives unfairly or unjustly. We don’t want to end up on their bad list.
For evil to triumph all it takes is for good people to do nothing. We have a right and responsibility speak up and speak out. We don’t have to be rude, disrespectful, or mean, but we need to be passionate, reasonable and persistent. So where does it start? That’s a good question and I am glad you asked.
I have never been one to be involved with local politics but that is where we can have the greatest impact. Local governments are more responsive to their constituents because they live in the same communities. Some of the highest taxes are our property taxes. We have to hold our local government responsible to keeping the budget in check and our taxes to a minimum. Of course that will depend on what the community believes is a need, a necessity, or a right in relation to community services. The more we require of the government the more our taxes will go up. We can’t have it both ways—low taxes and an abundance of government services.
The larger the community the more people disengage as participants in their local politics and then when taxes are out of hand or the government’s intrusion is unbearable we scratch our heads and wonder what happened. What would it take for us to be more active in our community politics? Start by being informed. We have a right to know what our city spends money on and why they collect the fees and taxes they do. Be informed and then help inform other people. We each have to be responsible for our own finances, and we have a right to hold our politicians to being responsible with the money we have entrusted them with. It’s not their money to do with whatever they want. It is our money given in trust for the common good. Don’t stick your head in the sand – be informed. Now, where is that pit-bull? I think it needs a leash.
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