Hope and change

“Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it, misdiagnosing it, and then misapplying the wrong remedies.” ~ Groucho Marx

“The trouble with radicals is that they only read radical literature, and the trouble with conservatives is that they don't read anything.” ~ Thomas Nixon Carver

I think I first became slightly annoyed and dissatisfied with politics at the tender age of nine. You see I was personally inconvenienced by politics and politicians in general when all three major networks agreed to rotate the live coverage of the Watergate hearings for 4 months. I would come home from school looking for the mindless distraction of watching my favorite cartoon or age appropriate programming, only to find various Senators and Representatives grilling Dean, Liddy, Haldeman and Ehrichlman. It’s been all down hill from there. I saw a bumper sticker this week that simply read; “Elect somebody different.” Let’s face it; politics, in general boils down to the fact that we have been personally inconvenienced in some way, shape or form and we want something different.

I am surrounded by conservatives and I am okay with that. I know that their political position for the most part has been formulated by their world-view and Christian convictions. One of the downsides however is that it is easy to fall into the trap of getting insular where you think everyone shares your same political ideals. When I was in college I got caught up in the political fervor of the era and joined Young Republicans and had the opportunity to hear Ronald Reagan speak in person on the campus of a local community college. Looking back on my experience it is not surprising to me to see young Americans caught up in the current climate of “Hope and Change.” I am by conviction conservative in my politics but I am keenly aware that neither major political party can claim the moral high ground because that belongs to God, and God alone. I cannot reconcile how either party can claim the moniker of "compassionate" or "caring" when neither exhibits any civility or respect to the other or it's constituents. To be frank, I have grown weary of both parties and the endless rhetoric that the process produces. I suppose this next statement only betrays my cynicism, but whether either party cares to admit it, I think both sides of the aisle may have a little "lemming DNA" sprinkled into the gene pool.

At the onset I want to caution you not to misunderstand my view of politics. They are a necessary institution set up by God. The Apostle Paul tells us very clearly in Romans chapter 13 that we are to be subject to governing authorities and that resisting them is resisting what God has appointed. Our general posture as Christians is that of submission but not mindless obedience. Government holds no terror for the believer who knows God is sovereign over all things. Solomon reminded us of this when he penned; “The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He will.”

I may not understand, but I do respect those who feel called to wade into the quagmire of politics. I agree with Plato when he states; “Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber.” I am interested in politics, just not to the same level as others. I try to stay abreast of current issues and unless providentially hindered, I always make it a point to vote. I also do not considered myself particularly “enlightened” and I have two good resources that remind me that I am not as clever as I think I am; my lovely wife and the indwelling Holy Spirit.

I read with a bemused grin many posts on social networking pages of countdowns to the next election and comments related to various parties’ slogans and representatives. Often we make light of the ruling party's tag line, and one that I frequently see is related to the current administration’s campaign promise for Hope and Change. But I have a question for my fellow Christians; how is the true hope and true change that comes with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ working in us and for us? And what are we doing to bring that real Source of hope and change to those still looking for it?

Christianity by it’s very nature is an optimistic faith. The Bible repeatedly talks about our future and current condition in God’s economy of hope, peace and joy. How is that working for you and me in our daily pursuit of God and His righteousness? If we truly believe that we have real hope and change this should be written all over our lives in the way we interact with one another and with those still looking for it in anything and everything other that it’s true Author.

Recently my Pastor preached a sermon on Matthew 5:6 which states; “"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” He spoke about the believer’s desire for both personal righteousness and moral purity, but also how we should share in God’s desire for righteousness and justice in this present world. If anything the current political climate should make us all aware that the world is seeking after something to satisfy them, but they are just looking for hope and change in the wrong places. That desire is something that can be used as an opportunity to present the Gospel rather than a point of ridicule. We have been blessed with the reward of lasting peace, hope and joy and hopefully that has been evidenced by an immediate and ongoing change in the way we live. Paraphrasing the message of my Pastor’s sermon; that change or pursuit of righteousness which starts at the moment of our salvation is marked by an ongoing hunger for change that is continual, concentrated and all consuming. If our hope and change is marked by this it cannot help but bleed over into how we view, interact and affect the world around us.

I have posted these statements by John MacArthur before but I think they bear repeating. “We cannot protect or expand the cause of Christ by human political and social activism, no matter how great or sincere the efforts. Ours is a spiritual battle waged against worldly ideologies and dogmas arrayed against God, and we achieve victory over them only with the weapon of Scripture. God has above all else called the church to bring sinful people to salvation through Jesus Christ. If we do not evangelize the lost and make disciples of new converts, nothing else we do for people—no matter how beneficial it seems—is of any eternal consequence.”

I respect and encourage every Christian who feels called to be actively involved in politics and the political process, and would not try to dissuade anyone from doing so. God grants each of us with unique opportunities, platforms and forums to proclaim His matchless grace and mercy. We need to use these opportunities so He can bring lasting hope and change to His creation. How is our hope and change working in us?

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” ~ Titus 2:14-15