I’ve been blessed to belong to the same Bible-teaching, Bible-believing fellowship for over 30 years. (There I go sounding old again…) I’m not sure if you would consider us a big church or a small one. Definitely not as big as the ones you generally see on television, or your computer, but for a smallish town we are bigger than small. But for the size we are, you would probably be surprised how far our reach is. We’ve been involved in missions around the world, which is not that uncommon, but under the leadership of our Senior Pastor we have been encouraged to take seriously another mission field. Some would call it political activity, but he refers to it as Biblical responsibility.

There are many churches in the USA, big and small, that don’t want to touch a political issue with a ten-foot pole. Their stance is that they’re called to teach the Word of God. I don’t think any of us could take issue with that kind of commitment, but if they don’t address the current state of our country and its leaders – leaders that we are privileged and responsible to elect – are they teaching the full counsel of the Bible? If morality, in the light of our society, is a taboo subject from the pulpit, we have missed the impetus of the full counsel of God. We are called to live as set apart people, not by refusing to get near legislative matters but inserting a godly influence in whatever sphere God allows. And in this country, it is best to use our freedom to shine the light of Christ with our voice and our vote.

Sorry if that sounds like a sermon, but it really does relate to The Bridge from OneDayBow. Chapter 30 is an expose of things gone bad in HereAndNow, but it is also a call to action. Case in point, a certain physician who wanted to make a difference:

A doctor who was one of the People of the Book

Entered the race for mayor.  She figured if it took

All of her time and money – and reputation too –

Her campaign-run might lead some to think about what’s true.

Sounds very selfless and noble to me. But not everyone agreed:

Some People said she shouldn’t; some People said she should;

Some people were uncertain; but she just hoped she could

Be a voice to protect life, and preserve the liberty

Of People to speak the Truth and share good news, freely.

So you see some of her own “People” had opinions about involvement in politics. But it really came down to her motives, and her motives were pure and virtuous. And more importantly they coincided with the Truth of the King’s Word!

That kind of settles the matter for me, but that didn’t mean that everyone was happy about her run:

Many people listened and liked her words and stance.

But tempters had their eyes on her, looking for the chance

To ask her if her platform was based on the King’s way.

Then they would twist all her words, no matter what she’d say.

Can you think of anyone that has happened to when they have entered the election-arena for Biblical purposes, and not political ambitions? I know several in our smallish town, and I commend them for their perseverance in the face of adversity. But as much as we don’t like to consider this, that should be the experience of every true believer in Jesus Christ living in the here and now. The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:12,

Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (NLT) That’s one of those Bible promises that we don’t generally like to cling to.

My friend, who I recently mentioned, doesn’t agree with my Pro-life stance. And she knows that my convictions about abortion influence the way that I vote. Am I being political or Biblical? You can decide for yourself. But far better, let the Bible settle that question for you.