To this difficult question, there is no answer. And yet, God gives an answer to His children: Trust God. His reasons, thoughts and intents are infinitely beyond human capacity to understand. Will we accept the fact that God owes us no explanation for what He allows?
Only the Gospel of Jesus has the answers to the world's problems. Politics is a sideshow that Satan is directing to distract our attention elsewhere. Ignore the distraction and join the real program: Christ's work on earth through the community of genuine believers.
To whom does a citizen owe allegiance? How will he display his loyalty? What are the earmarks of those who declare themselves to be seekers of a better country?
When the big, bad, and nasty happens in society around him, how does the Christian respond? What is the Gospel standard that helps him know how to deal with political unrest? He operates under a Royal Law that will define his actions and reactions, helping to prepare others for a Better World.
So...we say we are citizens of the Heavenly Kingdom. How much should we be involved with the affairs that govern this country? Is it okay to have a favored political candidate? Do we have rights? A look at examples and explicit commands from the Bible to help us live as citizens of a Better World.
As ambassadors of the kingdom of heaven, we have no role in the national politics of any nation on earth. While Christians are considered citizens of particular nations, they cannot become involved in national affairs. What are Christians to do when the laws of the land clash with God's laws?
In the time of national elections, Christians face extra pressure to become something they are not. Many times during election years, the question is asked–“Why don’t you folks vote; aren’t Christians to be a salt and a light? Why don’t you use the power of the vote and make a difference?”
The organized patterns of relationships and interaction in society is what the Bible calls the “world”. Four basic principles will guide us to right thinking and action as we relate to society and politics, and the follower of Christ needs to keep them crystal clear.
Live and let live! Many roads lead to Heaven! How should the Christian relate to such views? Arm yourself with the mind of Christ, and cultivate an allegiance to Him that makes you live like someone who believes that the end of all things is at hand.
If you are a “God and country” Christian, this message may seem strange to you. Kai assumes a conflict between God and country, and goes on to speak to what unrivaled loyalty to God’s kingdom can really mean.
In these days when the issues of skin color and ethnicity are the underlying factor in riots, bigotry, and unrest, the Christian turns to the Word of God to learn from the Author of Life how to relate to them. What difference does ethnic origin make to Him? to the church? in eternity?
A frank look at alarming issues threatening the church in the twenty-first century. Do we value the safeguards that we have received in conjuction with our Anabaptist heritage? Will we recognize the same old issues that now go by new names? "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."
As a Christian, how do you know which side of the various conflicts that arise in our world to "support" in your conversation?
Why not? Well...can a Christian serve without breaching the Biblical principle of the unequal yoke? without resisting evil? without blurring the line between church and state? without taking revenge? The Christian has a higher calling than that of a juror: to be an ambassador of peace and love.