12 and you shall know that I am the Lord. For you have not walked in my statutes, nor obeyed my rules, but have acted according to the rules of the nations that are around you. (Ezekiel 11:12)
During the last year, this idea has been tested. With a contentious election and civil unrest, Christ followers have questioned their role in the arena of political and social progress. Many will point to passages that say we must obey the powers above us for they are trusted by God to rule. While the saint must be respectful and without ego when it comes to such matters, we must also remember the distinction between God’s law and man’s. Our world favors strength over meekness and individualism over unity. In these basic beliefs, we find direct conflict with our duty to usher in the Kingdom of God in a broken sphere. We must be cautious not to replace our allegiance to God with the American dream. We also must not stifle our voice when injustice plays out. We do not oppose every action we disagree with but we must have the courage to oppose the few that are violently anti-Gospel.
The saint then recognizes when his thoughts are worldly and when they are heavenly. Recently I read a gripping biography on Dietrich Bonhoeffer who wrestled with this in Germany during WWII. He saw how the Church freely accepted the rise of Hitler because they were promised security and the fuhrer convinced them of his allegiance even though his actions screamed differently. Bonhoeffer stood up against the nation because he saw the Kingdom of God in direct opposition. Ultimately, it cost him his life. When we pursue political security, we make the way for the corruption of man to restrain the Church.
But opposition looks differently than we have been trained. Prayer, suffering, and service are the trademarks of this holy lifestyle. We simply do not run to bear arms but we run to love the marginalized and confidently oppose those which seek to harm. Our Christ is bigger than the world and it’s broken policies.
Lord, be with our nation. We live in a fragile time that screams for the need of your grace. May we be bearers of your truth and have the courage to oppose that which hurts your heart. Give us the courage to choose you over the world.
Matt simon blog 