Christians & Politics: Cynicism or Faithfulness?

For years I have been trying to encourage political participation—or at least political awareness—among Christians. While there are many who have seen the light on this, some still remain on the sidelines, allowing what once was a drift in the wrong direction to turn into a tsunami.

Sometimes, I hear the refrain that it makes no difference, all politicians are the same, so there’s no point in trying. I must admit, when one surveys the political field, it can be discouraging.

For instance, we have a president who has one solution for everything, an idea he has had since his tutelage by a communist mentor as a young man:

Young Obama

The one who wants to replace him on the Democrat side has, shall we say, a problem with honesty and integrity (along with truly wrongheaded policies):

Trouble Believing

The bureaucracy at the federal level often makes bewildering decisions:

Water on Mars

And the other party, the one that’s supposed to be the counterweight to those who seek to subvert the Constitution and the rule of law, is infested with far too many members more concerned with their public image than principle:

A Little Pushy

So, yes, I understand why people can become cynical and think nothing they do can make a difference. The only problem with that thinking, though, as a Christian, is that it is a faithless position to take.

If you want to guarantee that things get worse, stay on the sidelines and do nothing. But the Gospel I believe in, and the God of that Gospel, tells us to make disciples of all nations. He also tells us to be light and salt in a society. If we give in to a kind of fatalism for our future, we act against the very commands we have been given.

God doesn’t promise that we will win every battle, but He does want to see warriors on the field, doing their best as they take their orders from Him. The question in our minds ought to be the one asked by Jesus Himself when He queried, “When the Son of Man comes [back], will He find faith on the earth”?

I want to be found faithful. How about you?