Following Christ – Politics and Social Justice

A thought to ponder:

Lord Jesus Christ NEVER spoke politically against the oppressive Roman government which was existent during that time.

In fact, Christ spoke plenty of REBUKING and CORRECTION toward the “Israelites” (not Gentile Romans) and “Jewish Priests” (not toward priests of other religions).

Apostle Paul imitates Christ the Lord likewise (1 Corinthians 11:1) even in this aspect and writes to believers to ONLY REBUKE and CORRECT “Christians” (not Non-Christians, 1 Corinthians 5:12) and “Christian religious leaders” (not Non-Christian religious leaders, 1 Timothy 5:20) in “public” too.

In fact, he further writes that God Will judge the Non-Christians (1 Corinthians 5:13) but sadly, the exact opposite is done by some believers today bringing shame & such contrary attitudes bring disrespect to the Word of God which Teaches such Perfect Principles otherwise.

Many Jews may have accused Christ likewise during His time for “not speaking up or fighting for Justice for the marginalised against the oppressive Roman government at that time” (for such political rebellion against the government is NOT found in the writing of the Gospels).

Similarly, many Gentiles could have accused apostle Paul likewise for “not speaking up or fighting for Justice on behalf of the marginalised against the oppressive Roman government during his time too” (for such rebellious things against the ruling government are NOT written in his epistles either).

Why?

God is NOT building His Kingdom on Earth during this age (John 18:36). He is calling believers to experience the kingdom of God within themselves (Luke 17:21) as they practice to “love these enemies” (NOT FIGHT your enemies in ANY way, Matthew 5:44) & even in “not resisting the evil person” (Matthew 5:39) to Practice His “Perfect” Way (Matthew 5:48) to “overcome evil by good” (Romans 12:21) ONLY.

By fulfilling the “Will of God” in such “Lawful manner” (NOT Lawlessness, Matthew 7:22 – 23), we are justified in our works too (Matthew 7:21).

God is NOT unjust and if Christians want to play a role of “fighting for Justice on earth”, it is ONLY allowed through “government” (Romans 13:1).

Example: when you’re a politician or a police officer or those roles, you can play the role of “Judge” not as a Christian (Pastor, charity organisation, religious organisation) but as a “governing authority”.

That is, as a political party you can champion these rights if you wish. Similarly, you may uphold justice as a police officer or soldier as Cornelius did as then, you are part of Romans 13:1 being a “government or political staff”.

The Bible speaks of a proper place & way to do it.

But NOT as a Pastor or religious leader or as an average Christian as 1 Corinthians 5:12 -13 prohibits it.

Yes, we are to subject ourselves to the “government” and by NOT doing so for whatever reason, we will be “condemned” (Romans 13:2, even in the ‘context’ of the Christian-Persecuting & Christian-Killing “Roman” government at that time).

As a “government” personnel, you may fight oppresion or any correct political agenda in the “legal” way (Romans 13:3 – 5) as a police officer, judge, lawyer, politician etc. In fact here’s how to do “justice” as John the Baptist spoke to the “Roman” soldiers who came to him (please note that he didn’t ask them to quit their jobs which they served for the “oppressive Roman government”):

“Some soldiers were questioning him, saying, “And what about us, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages.” (Luke 3:14, NASB)

If the government still continues to be evil, God Will judge them certainly (1 Corinthians 5:13) but you have done “your part” but NOT in a “lawless” way as done by others through wrong platforms (e.g. turning the church or Christian organisations to ‘fight’ for social justice, a business for God & other such ‘errors’ as NO verse in the New Testament supports such and in fact, the verses quoted are AGAINST it!, e.g. Matthew 21:12 – 13).

God did NOT put ANY Emphasis on such “earthly preservation, betterment & improvement” of life (Luke 12:15) simply because His Words are “spirit & life” (John 10:10, John 6:63) and the “abundant life” Thus does NOT refer to anything in the “flesh” (material, monetary wealth as so often erred) as the correct context of Scripture reveals a “rich spiritual faith ONLY” which could be held by poor or rich believers too (James 2:5, 1 Timothy 6:17, James 5:1 – 6, Matthew 6:24, Matthew 19:24).

“For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:25, NASB)

Example:

“Command them (rich believers) to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.

In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” (1 Timothy 6:18 – 19, NIV)

Conclusion –> His Way of Peace ONLY

Let’s follow His Way of Peace (instead of these ‘worldly political fighting which our Blessed Saviour & apostle Paul did NOT preach NOR partake of’ either even under ‘great oppressive governments’):

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” (James 3:17 – 18, KJV)

Let us remember that it’s a “required” condition in our ‘true walk of faith’:

“Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrew 12:14, NASB)

Indeed, let us NOT be ‘sons of war’ but rather:

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:9, NASB)

Following “His Commandments” (His Perfect Way of Peace) brings Great Peace upon us too and let us NOT be carried away by ‘mere human ideas mixed with religion with their own political or religious agendas’ (even “Lawlessness” = called ‘fighting for Justice’ in a worldly way instead of, by Following His Biblical Way, done in ‘His Name’ as ‘it is written’).

The Voice of God NEVER contradicts the Word of God and thus His Ways remain SAME within this New Covenant to the age!

“Those who love Your law have great peace, And nothing causes them to stumble.” (Psalm 119:165, NASB)

“Oh that you had paid attention to My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea;” – God (Isaiah 44:18, ESV)

Yes, there’s NO ‘other’ way:

“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” – apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 11:1, NIV)

“It’s not only about doing the right thing, but about doing the right thing in the right way too avoiding Lawlessness as well; that’s His Perfect Way as Holy Scripture Reveals” – Anonymous