A bizarre thing has happened to Christendom in the last decade.
Whereas once earthly politics and God’s kingdom were undeniably distinct entities, suddenly the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdom of God in the eyes of many well-meaning Christians around the globe.
Suddenly, the political camps of this world have become religious camps. Worldly rulers are treated as Christians’ rulers, and their policies turned into our own ‘sacred’ beliefs. Social media is overridden with revolutionary language in the guise of ‘fighting the good fight’ of our own views.
The stunning thing is that these views, such as our perspectives on presidents, vaccines, and our own prosperity and ‘rights’ have absolutely nothing to do with the Kingdom that Jesus preached. Or the Gospel He came to set that kingdom up with in the hearts of humanity.
Whereas Christ’s kingdom in this age is spiritual, Christendom is beginning to think it’s physical. Whereas Jesus came to save men’s souls, some of the Church today seems more concerned with trying to save their physical lives. Just like when Jesus once rebuked Peter for being more mindful about the things of ‘men’ than God (Matthew 16:21-23), we’ve gotten God’s mission completely back to front.
This has produced frighteningly ungodly, dangerous and even demonic thinking. While the seeds of this thinking may appear innocent enough now, the reality is that in years to come it has the potential to cause havoc, harm life, and even overthrow our own souls if we’re not careful.
Misguided
My own recent encounter with this reality came in a discussion with well-meaning albeit shockingly misguided Christian friends. It started with one member who was happy with his recent purchase of a ‘Love God, defy Tyrants’ t-shirt. The conversation quickly turned to talk of whether Christians were justified in killing to protect others or themselves if the need ever arose, rising up in revolution against ‘evil’ leaders, and using violence to defend their own honor.
Unsurprisingly, no one could give any justification for this thinking from the New Testament, from anything Jesus had ever said or done, or from any action taken by the early Church. This wasn’t even something that was on the early Church’s radar let alone a big concern. Most disturbing however was the fact that no one seemed to realise the obvious danger of a conversation which intimated that physical conflict may soon be needed in the name of fighting in the ‘name of God’.
The conversation was shocking but not surprising. It represents a microcosm of the brainwashing from the media and political sphere. Now our own ‘Christian’ echo-chambers are starting to affect even the most Godly believers. Fiery rhetoric blankets every form of social media in the name of ‘love’ and ‘fighting the good fight of faith’. Opposition to personal opinion is treated as criminal and treasonous to what ‘God would want’.
To say we’ve begun to lose our way would be a drastic understatement. In a mostly ‘peaceful’ day these views seem innocent and harmless enough when little is at stake. But in a turbulent time when our own welfare and prosperity is threatened, these views create a path whose end lies only in chaos and death; the will of that old and cunning Enemy; the Devil (Genesis 3v1). If Christians begin to think that revolution and ‘fighting’ to save our lives is what God wants, we’ll destroy not only ourselves but the very thing Jesus came to do; SAVE mankind.
Jesus bought Kingdom
The remedy to these views lies in remembering the kind of Kingdom Jesus came to bring mankind; a spiritual kingdom set up by the Gospel. Jesus’ Gospel was summarised in three words; ‘repent and believe’ and by dying on a cross to save men’s souls. Afterwards he chose 12 men to continue His mission. They did this through sharing the Good News through self-sacrificial love; even when it cost them their lives.
Now the Church has the same mission and the same goal: to share the Gospel so mankind can be forgiven or their sins and put back in a right relationship with Jesus Christ.
The Church’s mission is not political, and it is not called to go to war, be violent, or bring about revolution. If we doubt this, study Jesus’ life and teachings, and be reminded of what he once said just before he was mistreated and killed by evil men:
“My kingdom is not of this world; if it were, My servants would fight… But now My kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36).
Jesus will set up His physical kingdom one day when he returns. But for now, His kingdom is spiritual and Christendom’s ‘fight’ is to love and share the Gospel message Jesus gave up all his prosperity, rights, and actual life for by dying on a cross.
Tim is currently a youth pastor in California. He loves God and has a heart to see people know Jesus and His will for their lives, and the time they’re living in.
Tim Price’s previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/tim-price.html