I get disturbed at local churches or denominations that turn their focus away from their God-given purpose and spend all their resources promoting a political agenda or trying to defeat another one. Don’t get me wrong, I do believe that it is good for Christ-followers to work toward forming a society that is good for all. I do not believe that the church’s focus should be turned from pointing people to Jesus.
Churches that make politics their mission are no longer churches. They do not follow the biblical mandates given to the church, and they risk crossing the line separating church from state – an ambiguous but very real part of American society. These churches also distort the image of God for those viewing from the outside. They are merely social/political clubs, not churches.
It’s okay to belong to a political club, but don’t call it the Bride of Christ, the Body of Christ, a “city set on a hill,” or a life-giving agent of God to this world.
“The” Church was never supposed to be divided into parties or agendas. In fact, it knew no barriers. That’s what made it the church and what made it different from any other religious group.
- Acts 2:1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
- Acts 2:17,18 And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.
- Acts 2:44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common.
Jesus’ ministry, which expanded into the first church, embraced Jews, Greeks, Romans, Samaritans, and many more. When Jesus’ very disciples tried to create an exclusive club they were reprimanded.
- Mark 9:38-40 Now John answered Him (Jesus), saying, “Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.” But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. For he who is not against us is on our side.”
- Acts 10:28 Then he (Peter) said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.”
I believe that today those who require that everyone belong to the same political party or position would hear the same word, “Do not call your opponent or your enemy common or unclean.” Instead, let’s focus on our mission and work together to point people to Jesus.
church haters 