Churches Are Not Political Houses

Churches are Greater Than Political Houses

"Our churches are union halls  for right wing causes."

I heard one political activist share this remark.

Last year, Congresswoman Maxine Waters hosted two townhall meetings in the South Bay, in churches.

One church in El Camino Village hosted the first townhall, and then she hosted another townhall in Torrance.

Churches should not be meeting rooms for political activities.

This issue is not a left-wing issue or a right-wing issue.

California Republican Party Chairman Jim Brulte remarked that he would not speak in churches.

His sentiment was a correct one.

Churches should not diminish their influence and impact with political activity.

Not that pastors cannot have an opinion based on issues, based on all that Bible teaches us.

Pastors have a responsibility to preach the truth who sets us free, and that includes promoting life and  marriage, the proper scope of the state, the proper reverence which every Christian should have for the governments.

Most importantly, though, everyone of us must recognize that Jesus Christ is King of Kings, that His power and glory transcends and overshadows the bareness of this world.

No matter what powers may sit in city hall or the state house, they cannot overcome the grace and protections we have in Christ."

Churches are not union halls for conservative causes.

Churches should not be the site for town hal meetings on political issues, either, and pastors should exercise their authority to declare to Congressional members or US Senators, whether Republican or Democrat, that their political agendas are not as important than the Good News, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

His mission matters far more than whoever wins the next election. Simple as that.

Jesus Christ is not a Republican, or a Democrat. He does not choose sides. He takes over:

"13And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? 14And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? 15And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so." (Joshua 5: 13-15)

If we understand that we are more than conquerors in Him (Romans 8: 37), that we are called to fight (or rather recognize as won) the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6: 16), then political infighting will not only seem marginal, but even trivial in churches.

Men and women in the Body of Christ are more than welcome to participate in political activities as they see fit, but our churches are places where we see the loveliness of Jesus our High Priest, our Captain of the Lord of Hosts, is in full array.

The more that we see Him, the more that we see ourselves in Him, and the consummate victory we receive over all things.

15[Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven." (Colossians 1: 15-20)

What does it matter which political party you belong to, when you are a fellowcitizen of the Kingdom of Heaven?