Do not let your commitment to a flag cause you to lose your allegiance to the Father.
That was the opening statement from Pastor Troy Murphy on Sunday, Oct. 11, during his message on politics.
You can love your country but as a Christ follower your first allegiance is to God. How that plays out can be summed up in a quote from Charles Colson: "Christian patriots spend more time washing feet than waving flags."
Troy examined what God has to say, through scriptures, about politics and voting. The goal isn't to tell you how or who to vote for, but rather to allow kingdom standards to guide you.
Here are key points from Troy's message:
*God will not judge you on whether you voted for the most spiritual, moral or ethical candidate. We don't always know who the most spiritual or ethical person is. As for the most moral, all of us have fallen short of God's morality standard.
*In Romans 13:1 Paul gives instructions on how we should perceive authorities and governments: Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.
If the authorities that exist have been established by God, then we are not responsible for the placement of leaders. It's a privilege to vote and we should exercise that right, but ultimately we must give up control of an election outcome to God.
*Sometimes we operate out of fear and wonder what will happen if the candidate we don't favor wins. In reality, no matter who wins, Jesus will still be on the throne.
Scripture says we are to trust the heavenly kingdom. In Christ alone we stand, not in a political party, not in a president, not in a flag. Because of that we can live with a sense of freedom.
*Paul says in Romans 13:2: Whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
We are to view rulers and authorities above us as people placed by God and treat them with respect, even if we disagree with them.
When you submit to authorities you can be free of fear and have a clear conscience (Romans 13:5).
*If we look right and left for answers, there isn't righteousness, salvation or holiness. We only find that when we look up -- heavenward toward God.
*Other scriptures that instruct us to submit to authorities include 1 Peter 2.13-17, Hebrews 13.17 and Titus 3.1.
*Rulers in Paul's day were just as bad as some are now, in terms of corruption, immorality and evil. So Paul's words back then are still relevant today. God can use evil rulers ultimately for His glory and purposes.
*What happens if earthly rulers ask us to sin or do evil? There are examples in scripture where followers of God peacefully dissented:
1-Hebrew midwives disobeyed Pharoah and kept Moses alive.
2-Daniel refused to eat the king's meat and prayed when it was prohibited by the ruler.
3-Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to bow down and worship a false god.
4-Paul was jailed often for preaching the gospel in violation of Roman law.
*Paul continues in Romans 13 to emphasize that love must be at the root of our actions and motivation. Paul tells us to clothe ourselves in our true identity, the Lord Jesus Christ. We are to love others well, even those with whom we disagree.
*When it comes to politics we should trust God, look to him for guidance and leave Him in control of outcomes.
*There is good and bad on both sides of the political spectrum. We can learn to love people in the midst of our differences and prove to the world that we have an allegiance to the Father in heaven, not a flag or country or politician.
Which kingdom do you serve?
