While taking a break from our daily three-mile walk through a local park, my wife and I sat on a park bench and watched some of the other walkers stroll by. One young woman passed us wearing a plain white T-shirt that read, in large letters, simply:
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“AND WE KNOW THAT”
Underneath those words, in a much smaller font, was the explanation of this enigmatic inscription:
“Romans 8:28”
The full Scripture verse is incredibly powerful and should spring to mind every time situations in our personal lives—and even in the life of our nation—go kerflooey:
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to his purpose.”
The midterm elections, already in progress across America, popped into my head when I saw this T-shirt. Christians and true patriots alike are deeply concerned when we hear polls that tout the advancement of the Democrat Party in key races across the nation. The result is that some are stimulated to work harder, but others appear to throw up their hands and give the final results over to fate—or, fatalistically, “Providence.” After all, if “all things work together for good,” even if the Democrats regain power and go scorched earth on our country, well, that will be God’s will and things will eventually work out “for good,” yes?
That attitude of “sitting this one out” can be justified in this and many other ways by otherwise well-meaning Christians. “If God wants America to survive, the country will survive; if He wants her to go under, it will go under. I will just pray. I don’t get involved in politics.”
The idea that good Christians should not get involved in politics because “Thy will be done,” or, as Doris Day sang, “Whatever will be, will be,” is like that doctor joke about predestination:
After thoroughly examining his patient, the doctor shares his diagnosis. “Joe, you are in terrible shape, and I am prescribing this series of pills that will help you live a long, healthy life.” But Joe shakes his head. “No, doc, I’m a Christian, and I believe in predestination. I’m not going to take the pills because I believe that if God wants me to live, I will live; if He wants me to die, I will die.”
And the doctor responds: “Well, Joe, I too am a Christian, and I also believe in predestination. So, I can tell you this: If you take the pills, you’re predestined to live. If you don’t, you’re predestined to die.”
Christians who don’t get involved in politics—especially at an obviously critical juncture in a nation’s existence—are like that patient, confident that God will save the country with or without their involvement. That conclusion is certainly true, but are we not called to be engaged in all aspects of life? Why would politics be out of bounds?
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Consider Romans chapter 13, verse 1:
“Every person is to be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.” (NASB)
America was “established by God” 250 years ago. And in that establishment, the Founders made it very clear that “We the People” were in charge, under the authority of “Nature and Nature’s God.” Therefore, we must be involved in every way we can (voting, for example, is basic) to preserve the governing authorities to which we are subject.
Further along this political-involvement track, I believe a much more powerful declaration can be made from that one big, beautiful prayer that Christians across the globe pray daily. A large part of the Our Father centers, in a very real sense, on both earthly and heavenly politics.
After addressing our Holy Father in Heaven, Jesus continues by praying, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.” Jesus concludes His beseechment with the words, “For Yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory forever, Amen.”
Should we not then work for God’s Kingdom to come here on Earth as it is in Heaven, not only in our own lives but in the life of our nation and, through this nation, the world? And is God’s Kingdom not built on righteousness and holiness? Our kingdom here, then, should reflect as much as possible those noble, ethereal, and eternal goals; and where it is made up of vile and detestable practices—abortion, child mutilation, open borders, etc.—should we not work to abolish them? We also pray in that same prayer the phrase “deliver us from evil.” Should we not work alongside our Father to bring that about?
St. James wrote:
“But prove yourselves doers of the Word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves.” (NASB, James 1:22)
Finally, this reminder from St. Paul…
“Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (NIV, Ephesians 5:14–16)
This is not a sit-on-your-hands (or just pray-with-your-hands) moment in the shaky life of America. The Scriptures and our Lord and Saviour give us our marching orders. Yes, pray. No question about that. But also vote. And whenever and wherever you can, and with whomever you can, be politically influential, always remembering to “speak the truth in love.”
Doing that can result in advancing two kingdoms at once.
Image created using AI.
Albin Sadar is the author of Obvious: Seeing the Evil That’s in Plain Sight and Doing Something About It, as well as the children’s book collection, Hamster Holmes: Box of Mysteries. Albin was formerly the producer of “The Eric Metaxas Show.”
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