Title: POLITICS WITH A HEAVENLY ORIENTATION

Focus: Christians do well to engage in the political process with a heavenly orientation, for we are first and foremost citizens of God’s heavenly rule.

Function: To encourage the people to engage in the political process of our country with a heavenly orientation rooted in Christ Jesus.

Texts: Philippians 3:17-4:1; II Cor. 5:14-21

Who will you vote for? The McCain ticket or the Obama ticket? How do you decide? And what issue matters most—our pocket book or taxes? The economy? National security? The war against radical Islam and terrorism? Right to life issues? The make up of the U.S. Supreme Court? Or illegal immigration, to name a few? In less than two months, Americans of all stripes are called to make a choice between two candidates for President of the U.S.A. Who will you vote for?

As this election season is coming to a climax, I want to reflect with you today on our Christian faith and citizenship. On October 12 I aim to explore with you our Christian faith and engagement in government and politics; and on November 2 I hope to reflect with you on the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the upcoming elections. To be sure, you do not have to be of voters’ age--18 years or older to listen to the Word of God on politics. You do not need a degree in political science to grasp God’s Word on politics. All you need is a heart that cries out to the Lord: “Father, how am I to carry out my responsibilities as a citizen of this country? Lord God, how should I approach this business of politics in my life, country and world?”

With these prayers on our lips, we open ourselves up to hear God’s Word today. And we’ll discover that Christians do well to engage in the political process with a heavenly orientation. For the Scriptures teach us that Christians are first and foremost citizens of God’s heavenly rule. Rooted, standing firm in the Lord Jesus Christ, we should engage in the political process of our country while keeping in mind the business of our heavenly Father.

Most of us here are American citizens by birth. Some of us had the privilege of becoming U.S. citizens by choice. Whether by choice or birth, as Americans we now have loyalties. This great country called the U.S.A is ours to live in, to enjoy, to develop, and to defend. We also have tremendous privileges, such as freedom to express ourselves; liberties to advance ourselves; and opportunities to use our God-given talents in so many areas of life.

U.S. citizens do not only have loyalties and privileges; we also have duties or responsibilities. For example, we pay taxes; we maintain order by making and obeying laws; and we seek the common good of all citizens by doing justice and by helping each other and communities to flourish and be well. Surely, when we pay attention to our loyalties, privileges and responsibilities we demonstrate our patriotism or love for our country.

Within the next 6 weeks or so, we must make a choice between two presidential candidates. They come to us with hopes and dreams and promises. They paint pictures of America in this world—pictures that are lofty, and that appeal to our desires for prosperity, safety, and a better world. In fact, their glorious hopes and dreams and promises almost equal pictures of paradise and eternal bliss. How do we respond to these promises of a glorious future? How do we choose between candidate A over against candidate B?

Let’s be clear on this: being patriotic U.S. citizens is only part of the equation, for Christians also have a vested interest in the kingdom of heaven, and our loyalty is first and foremost to Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords. And that means that Christians enter the political process with a different, a heavenly orientation.

For example, when Jesus took on our flesh or human nature, he came and preached the kingdom of God; He claimed to be a King; He showed his kingship and power by rising from the dead; he is exercising his Lordship right now by gathering and forming his church on earth; and he will fully reveal himself as King of kings and Lord of lords when he comes again in glory and makes all things new.

Jesus is the King who claims us as his own; and Jesus is the One who taught us to pray, “Our Father in heaven—may your kingdom come.” Clearly, though we may be U.S. citizens, Christians must engage in politics with a heavenly, Christ-the-King orientation. In short, we must take our citizenships seriously.

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I say that in light of the Scriptures read this morning. In Philippians 3:20, the Apostle Paul reminds us that Christians have their “…citizenship in heaven….”

And in II Corinthians 5: 20 we learn that Christians must see themselves as “…Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.”

These two texts confront us with the truth that you and I cannot escape politics; in fact, we must engage in politics, every day. Ambassadors are politicians who represent the interest of their native country. American ambassadors in foreign countries, for example, represent and speak for the government of America in those countries. As ambassadors whose citizenship is in heaven, Christians advocate and represent the Kingdom of Christ, whose rule in heaven is to be expressed fully here on earth.

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul speaks of those who work against the rule of Christ. And he refers to them as “enemies of the cross.” These are people whose mindset and orientation in life is purely on themselves, their own comfort, and their own human desires. “Their mind,” says Paul, “is on earthly things.” In contrast, Christians are to be mindful of heaven’s interests here on earth.

Why? Well, Christians are born again. That is, we are born anew, from above; the Spirit of God has brought about new life in our hearts and minds, as the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ take hold of us. His forgiveness, his strength and grace, his abiding presence in our lives, and his will for us—all these come our way by virtue of our rebirth. And our rebirth leads us to a new citizenship—to heaven where Christ has ascended and lives as our King.

You could say that Christians in this world have a dual citizenship. The one is by physical birth into a country here on earth; the other is by spiritual birth into a kingdom that is from heaven. And our spiritual citizenship has bearing on our earthly citizenship. Our loyalties and commitments to Christ the King should come to expression and be made visible here in our country and everywhere else in our world. That’s why I say that Christians do well to engage in the political process with a heavenly orientation.

The Apostle Paul reminds us that our orientation from heaven is marked by three things:

a. As we live our lives here on earth, we eagerly await the Savior from heaven. That is, we recognize that our salvation, our bliss, our shalom will never be complete or realized by politicians, presidents or kings and queens. No human being, no earthly government can realize for us what Christ, the King of heaven has promised to do. He will make all things new. Therefore, we await his coming to us on earth, while we live out our lives.

b. As we live our lives here in this country, we are mindful that Jesus is sovereign. He rules and overrules. Governments and government institutions may have lots of power—economic, political, military, and scientific power, for example, but not one earthly power comes even close to the power of Jesus Christ, our King.

He has the power to bring everything under his control. He showed us that power by way of miracles before he died on the cross; Jesus showed that power supremely by conquering the powers of sin, the devil, and death—by rising from the dead. And he will fully display his power when he comes again. Jesus’ sovereignty is part of our heavenly orientation as we engage in the political process today.

c. Jesus’ power comes to full expression, says Paul, when he will “transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” All our politicians will speak in one-way or another to our well-being—all the scourges that plague us: sickness, poverty, injustice, murder, warfare and death, for example-must be wiped out by human efforts and political programs. And thus we hear the candidates’ promises and hopes all bundled up in their political speeches.

But our heavenly orientation helps us to keep perspective: It’s not government that can deliver the transformation that is needed. It is Jesus, who by his power will do exactly that: he will renew all things and transform us, so that we shall be like him with glorious, transformed bodies that will enable us to live forever on the renewed creation. As Christians, then, we do well to engage in the political process with a heavenly orientation.

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You ask, “What does that mean? How do I show my loyalty first and foremost to Christ, our King as I exercise my responsibility as a citizen of this country?” Let me give you some pointers:

(1) Participate in the political process with realism: When our political leaders refuse to speak of evil and of the human inclination and propensity to do terrible, evil things, they are fooling themselves and us. For example, education does not make a person a better person; money and career opportunities to advance yourself in society do not guarantee “heaven on earth.” Hollywood (with all its riches and base glory) is marked by the rot of sin and evil. There is misery galore among the rich as well as the poor.

Realism based on the Bible’s teaching on the human condition—that we are all fallen creatures, in need of redemption and salvation found in Jesus Christ—that realism should guide us as we enter the political process. It tempers our hopes and dreams; it keeps us humble; and it drives us on our knees to work and pray for our heavenly Father to bring to bear his kingdom here on earth.

(2) Participate in the political process with the things of God in mind: That means that we seek to live on earth and express God’s will in all we do. For example, it is God’s will that we do justice—so we work toward justice in our communities, in our schools, in our homes, in our workplace and in our relationships with other countries. It is God’s will that we love our neighbor—so we seek to advance NOT ONLY our own self-interest, but also the interest of others. So, we use our resources, individually and collectively, to bring shalom and joy to people around us.

Again, it’s God’s will that we protect each other from violence and murder; thus we make and enforce laws and punish criminals. And thus we ask tough questions when it comes to stem cell research, the beginning of human life, and human cloning. We must bring to bear the things of God in all our dealings as human beings. It may be possible, to a certain extend, to speak about separation of church and state. But it is impossible for Christians to separate political engagement from the Christian faith. For Jesus is our King. Therefore, we participate in the political process with the things of God in mind.

(3) One more thing: Participate in the political process with passion or vigor. Let us not be bashful about our faith in Jesus. Let’s not privatize our faith and practice it only on Sundays in church. Neither should we minimize the importance of Christian belief and practice in life. In fact, let’s put our energy and resources to raise up a new generation of men and women who have learned to integrate their faith in daily life; who have disciplined their thinking by shaping their world view with Christian perspectives. Let’s make use of solid, Christian principles and solid Christian education in the homes and schools. In that way, you and I can spread the “aroma” of Christ in every area of life, including public life. If Christian discipleship calls for earnest commitment and passion, so that our hearts are fully filled with love for the Lord, then let’s not fool ourselves: bringing to bear a Christian mind, a Christian perspective in all of life calls for vigor and commitment.

So, I say it once more: you and I do well to engage in the political process today with a heavenly orientation, for Christians are first and foremost citizens of God’s heavenly rule here on earth.

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.