Christians of late have too easily put their hope and trust in politics and politicians. This is true on both ends of the spectrum. Conservatives cast their whole lot with whoever promises to protect their property and guns, and liberals embrace the politics of the social gospel and trust the state to accomplish it. It’s as if we sing,
“My hope is built on nothing less
than who’s in the White House or runs Congress.”
Our identity has become much too entangled with earthly power. Do we not remember that “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will” (Proverbs 21:1)? Have we forgotten that “our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil. 3:20)? Ought we not seek the true Power to direct our paths and provide our needs?
One of the best essays I’ve read on this matter is by John Piper, entitled “Let Christians Vote as Though They Were Not Voting, written in 2008, just before the election that put Barack Obama in the White House. For some much-needed perspective, click the link below –
