Say it with me… “I pledge allegiance, to the flag of the United St…” Wait! Hold up! Chances are, you could finish the rest of that pledge without thinking twice. Maybe you haven’t heard it for many years, since your days in school, yet you can still recite it without hesitation. There are times when I wish I could recite longer passages of scripture, Christian creeds, or sermon notes with that same readiness and remembrance. Many of us were raised hearing and reciting that pledge toward a flag of red, white, and blue every single day of school from 5-18 years of age. Therefore, what I’m about to say is hard to hear, but as a Christian, vital to grasp… My allegiance as a follower of Christ and an image-bearer of God is to none other than that of King Jesus. So, what does this mean? Does this mean that I shouldn’t engage in politics? Does this mean I should be detached and dissonant? No! The very reason Jesus was crucified was because his words and actions threatened the political empire. The very reason the early church was persecuted and faced martyrdom was because their words and actions about Jesus, threatened the political empire. The fact that Jesus came and claimed kingship was a hard pill for everyone to swallow. For both Jews and Greeks. The Jews were hesitant to believe that this really was the promised Messiah, and the Greeks did not take well to any threat that sounded like it would overthrow the political regime. Revelation 17:14 says, “They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”
Talk about threatening political rhetoric, am I right?!?! Therein lies our response. Jesus, the disciples, and early church did not enter into the political world of the Greeks and pick which side they would fight each other from within the rules of the empire, rather, they fought as foreigners with an entirely different allegiance. They did not pledge allegiance to any Greek god and say, “I stand with the republican Greek god because it shares SOME moral characteristics to my Christianity”, nor did they say, “I will vote for the democrat Greek god because it will help me financially and I’ll be able to give more to the church.” NO WAY! They said, “I’ll stand for Christ and him crucified. I will pledge my allegiance to the spread of the Gospel for the glory of God. I will live within a country and be subject to the governing authorities in place, but I will do so as first a follower of Jesus Christ and image-bearer of God.”
And so, If we live for Jesus first and foremost, our voting will become VERY COMPLICATED. Take the sanctity of marriage for example: Both parties value the almighty dollar above what God has joined together. Both parties do more to protect your assets in divorce than they do to provide help in a struggling marriage. There is a reason this isn’t talked about in the ad campaigns, it’s because it’s not valued by either side. One party promotes and allows for any and all types of “marriage”, if you want to call it that. Meanwhile, the other party leader has been married three times and has paid to silence sexual scandals. BOTH of these parties, and their individual leaders scream in the face of Gods design for marriage. Marriage is between a male and female who both bear the image of God: Genesis 1:26-28. Marriage is an intimate union, designed by God, between one man and one woman: Genesis 2:18-24. Marriage is forged together by God and it’s all for the glory of God, therefore, we should not do anything that would attempt to separate what God has joined together: Matthew 19:1-12. So, is there a right answer on who to vote for when it comes to the ethic and sanctity of marriage this term? Sorry, but you’ll have to answer that question for yourself, between you and God. No spoon feeding here. The least I can do is help and encourage. Help to remind us of a couple things as this election comes to an end, and encourage one another with as we live as foreigners and exiles:
1. Jesus, the disciples, and the early church made polis shattering statements, actions, and lived out their newfound freedom in the Gospel. They were so engaged with the political realm that it threatened the empire, forcing them to eventually be put to death or at least persecuted. But they did not do so from within, at war with one another, but from with-out, living for a king and kingdom that was entirely different.
2. Pledge your allegiance first and foremost as a follower of Christ and image-bearer of God. I’m not saying that you don’t have pride for the country of your homeland, and aren’t thankful for soldiers whom have sacrificed past and present, and that you live in one of the most free and privileged places on earth, but if America crashes and burns, Christ is King and His church will stand.
3. Beware of political tribalism. Political tribes don’t just want your vote, they are after your heart and are looking to make their own disciples. You don’t belong to a political tribe. You belong to Christ.
4. The greatest thing you can do to have an eternal impact in your country is not by casting a vote. It is done by prayer and by a life that faithfully honors and trusts Jesus.
5. Jesus Christ is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. He was yesterday, is today, and will be tomorrow. Throughout not only American history, but world history, God has put rulers in place and allowed them to make choices that are both for and against his moral standards. Not once has he made a mistake in doing so. If Trump gets elected, it’s because God wills it, and we should praise God for it. If Harris gets elected, it’s because God wills it, and we should praise God for it.
6. Take heart, the best is yet to come. Eternity matters most. Your duty and aim as a follower of Christ will be the same tomorrow, as will be the battle cry of our church: To bring glory to God by making and equipping passionate disciples.
Talk about threatening political rhetoric, am I right?!?! Therein lies our response. Jesus, the disciples, and early church did not enter into the political world of the Greeks and pick which side they would fight each other from within the rules of the empire, rather, they fought as foreigners with an entirely different allegiance. They did not pledge allegiance to any Greek god and say, “I stand with the republican Greek god because it shares SOME moral characteristics to my Christianity”, nor did they say, “I will vote for the democrat Greek god because it will help me financially and I’ll be able to give more to the church.” NO WAY! They said, “I’ll stand for Christ and him crucified. I will pledge my allegiance to the spread of the Gospel for the glory of God. I will live within a country and be subject to the governing authorities in place, but I will do so as first a follower of Jesus Christ and image-bearer of God.”
And so, If we live for Jesus first and foremost, our voting will become VERY COMPLICATED. Take the sanctity of marriage for example: Both parties value the almighty dollar above what God has joined together. Both parties do more to protect your assets in divorce than they do to provide help in a struggling marriage. There is a reason this isn’t talked about in the ad campaigns, it’s because it’s not valued by either side. One party promotes and allows for any and all types of “marriage”, if you want to call it that. Meanwhile, the other party leader has been married three times and has paid to silence sexual scandals. BOTH of these parties, and their individual leaders scream in the face of Gods design for marriage. Marriage is between a male and female who both bear the image of God: Genesis 1:26-28. Marriage is an intimate union, designed by God, between one man and one woman: Genesis 2:18-24. Marriage is forged together by God and it’s all for the glory of God, therefore, we should not do anything that would attempt to separate what God has joined together: Matthew 19:1-12. So, is there a right answer on who to vote for when it comes to the ethic and sanctity of marriage this term? Sorry, but you’ll have to answer that question for yourself, between you and God. No spoon feeding here. The least I can do is help and encourage. Help to remind us of a couple things as this election comes to an end, and encourage one another with as we live as foreigners and exiles:
1. Jesus, the disciples, and the early church made polis shattering statements, actions, and lived out their newfound freedom in the Gospel. They were so engaged with the political realm that it threatened the empire, forcing them to eventually be put to death or at least persecuted. But they did not do so from within, at war with one another, but from with-out, living for a king and kingdom that was entirely different.
2. Pledge your allegiance first and foremost as a follower of Christ and image-bearer of God. I’m not saying that you don’t have pride for the country of your homeland, and aren’t thankful for soldiers whom have sacrificed past and present, and that you live in one of the most free and privileged places on earth, but if America crashes and burns, Christ is King and His church will stand.
3. Beware of political tribalism. Political tribes don’t just want your vote, they are after your heart and are looking to make their own disciples. You don’t belong to a political tribe. You belong to Christ.
4. The greatest thing you can do to have an eternal impact in your country is not by casting a vote. It is done by prayer and by a life that faithfully honors and trusts Jesus.
5. Jesus Christ is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. He was yesterday, is today, and will be tomorrow. Throughout not only American history, but world history, God has put rulers in place and allowed them to make choices that are both for and against his moral standards. Not once has he made a mistake in doing so. If Trump gets elected, it’s because God wills it, and we should praise God for it. If Harris gets elected, it’s because God wills it, and we should praise God for it.
6. Take heart, the best is yet to come. Eternity matters most. Your duty and aim as a follower of Christ will be the same tomorrow, as will be the battle cry of our church: To bring glory to God by making and equipping passionate disciples.
Posted in Devotional