Government

Definition: 

The system by which the policies, actions and affairs of a nation, state or community are conducted.

It might be wise to note that this definition of government in no way references morality, good vs bad, right vs wrong, or any other reference code of conduct. It merely describes the way things are - "the status-quo" so-to-speak. In many governments -- or at least in America -- things are run by the people, to suit the people. Things are not run by God to suit God. That's just not the way it is. The bible even says so.

I was reading in Luke this morning, about Jesus's trial, conviction and ultimate sentencing to crucifixion. Throughout chapters 22 and 23, the people, infuriated by Jesus, are petitioning Pilate to do something about this bothersome man. Pilate recognized Jesus's innocence, but was faced with a dilemma: as the governing body, his power came from the people and was subject to removal by the people. In other words, he was accountable for keeping people happy -- and happy they were not, because of Jesus. Pilate tried to defer to Herod, who found Jesus equally innocent, and between the two of them, Jesus was ultimately convicted despite bearing no guilt for any crimes. (Sinless, anyone?) At the end of Luke 23:23, the infuriated people demanded action, "and their shouts prevailed." 

In this government - under Pontius Pilate, the people made the call.

I couldn't help but think of today's government. Christians in America are guilty of putting a little too much faith in politicians. Yes, we all "know" that "politicians are corrupt, cheats, liars, thieves, whatever," and yet we petition them and beg them to act on our behalf. One big debacle as of late is with Planned Parenthood. Of course I would love it if our governors, congressmen, senators and president voted to make abortion illegal. But, I don't think that's going to happen, and I don't think that begging them will change anything. Why? Because Christian voices are overpowered by secular ones when it comes to government. Politicians looking to get re-elected need to appeal to the majority, and in most cases the majority do not hold a Christian worldview. 

Government acts according to the people, and as Christians looking to stop the evil in our world, we can't go to the government and expect them to act. We need to go directly to the people. Instead of pouring funds into lobbying politicians, what if we opened our homes and our hearts to the single, pregnant women who feel their only option is abortion? What if, instead of petitioning our governors to found integration programs, we were the hands and feet of Jesus -- being the church body -- and feeding, clothing and loving on the homeless? What if, instead of battling against our spiritually lost neighbors, we invited them to join us at a soup kitchen? How different would the world look then?

I am in no way saying that we shouldn't care about politics. Indeed, we are all responsible for voting for biblical values. But, we needn't be surprised when we are out-voted by folks who are jaded to the many injustices in our society. We can't put our faith in the government because it was the government who handed over Jesus Christ to be crucified, unjustly. Yet it is important to note as well that despite the travesty that it was and is, God's hand was in it all.  

We have been warned: things are going to get worse before they get better. There will be injustices, wars, disasters, abortions, divorces and abuse. But instead of helplessly signing petitions, lets get out there -- onto the mission field -- and actually do something about it, like we have been called to do.