During a recent prayer meeting it occurred to me how far outside of the lines the evangelical church is prone to color. Perhaps it was because of the context of the health care bill passing and all of the shrieking that we hear on the news, talk radio, at the water cooler, and from fellow Christians. But at any rate, I stood convicted and instructed by the Scriptures as they were read this particular morning.
Paul instructs pastor Timothy to be certain to pray for all types of people (1 Tim 2.1). He is specific to include even the leaders whom we may not agree with such as kings (1 Tim. 2.2). We should note that the types of leaders who governed the early churches were far less sympathetic towards the ministry of the gospel.
Furthermore, Paul instructs Timothy and the churches that they are to “lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Tim. 2.2). This is part of the motive to pray for the leaders. We want to be about reflecting Christ.
And still more, there is the fact that there is really only one King. There is one Savior. There is only one Mediator (1 Tim. 2.5). And it is God’s desire that men come and fall down before him and worship him. This desire is for all types of people that they would all bow before the one King, Jesus Christ.
Now, let me just reset this. Paul instructs a pastor to lead prayer meetings and model personal prayer for all types of people (regardless of your political agreement with them), so that you can lead a life that is dignified and quiet, to pave a way for the ministry of the gospel, and hopefully lead to all types of people getting converted. This is a fairly concise, high level summary.
How We Color Outside the Lines
Sadly many today do not pray for their leaders, are not quiet and dignified, they are not burdened for the advancement of the gospel, and they instead promote morality.
This is the exact opposite of what we are supposed to be doing.
Don’t you see the trap here? We become prideful, unruly load mouthed moralists who find our salvation in the conquest of our particular political agenda. If we are doing this under the guise of being ‘Christian’ then we are frankly, more offensive then many of these folks we are aiming to confront.
How can promoting morality and ‘Christian values’ be offensive?
Because the message of Christianity is not morality or Christian values.
The message of Christianity is the gospel. It is liberation for sinners. It is the truth of God coming in Christ to obey the Law that we could not obey and die to pay the just penalty for breaking that Law. It is powerful triumph of Jesus over sin, Satan, and death.
The gospel is not about how lawbreakers need to become moral law keepers like us, but rather about how law breakers are reconciled to God through the work of the true law keeper, Jesus Christ our righteous substitute.
Shame on all who use the name Jesus and the title Christianity to promote morality at the expense of the gospel. They are gospel pirates. Religious sharks of the most dangerous kind; they confuse Christians and non-Christians alike while building towers of morality that eclipse the blood stained tree of Calvary. That is offensive!
Is there a Balance?
I think there is. I think there is some tension there. And frankly, there needs to be. As Christians we are citizens of two kingdoms: one of this age and one of the age to come. Therefore, the tension is inevitable. We want to the kingdom to come now but we have to live here (Col. 3.1-4).
The danger comes when we try to make this be that kingdom. It is not.
The answer lies in realizing what is future and therefore living in light of that now. So, yes we are not going to agree with everything the government says and does. This is not news to us. It has always been this way. But still Christians are bound to honor our leaders (Rom. 12.1-7; 1 Pet. 2.13-16). Instead of silencing the foolish through our honor & submission too often we inflame them through our dishonor and lack of submission. I think that is what Peter and Paul were going after.
The way in which we must then act is in accordance with the gospel. Our prayer and lives are, at their center, bound up with the gospel. If this has impact then everything comes with it! This then is our first priority (1 Cor. 15.3) and then we become, because of this, prophetic, if you will, about various issues. But we must do it with tact, gentleness, humility, and grace. I have a hard time believing that unbelievers would think that the Christian message is a message that confronts, converts and restores sinners (Eph. 2.1-8). Sadly it is too often muddled in issues that are important but not primary.
As Christians we have a lot to say. We have an unmatched message with unmatched power (Rom. 1.16). But sadly, too many are not saying anything that could convert anyone. Sounds like a good time to pray and be obedient (1 Tim. 2.1-6).
