Commentary by Greg Baker
I believe that God desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of Him (1 Timothy 2:4). That means people from all political parties and ideologies, and even those who serve as elected officials.
But how do we carry that message, that desire of God’s heart, into the halls of government?
1 Corinthians 9 gives us an answer in the form of a model: As Paul ministered to both Jew and Gentile, we must seek to tear down partisan walls to minister to both Republican and Democrat. Paul may have changed the way he communicated (1 Corinthians 9:20-22), but nowhere did Paul compromise or change his message. We have to do the same.
If we are to be a light to all aspects of our culture, including government, the Lord’s people must engage in culture in a biblical way (Matthew 5:16).
I further believe the political/partisan war in this nation can come to an end, but it will only be done though the healing power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our governing authorities don’t need a political change, they need a heart change, and only the gospel has the power to do it.
That is why I have begun writing this new column called “The Timeless Voice,” with the goal of equipping believers to engage in civics in a biblical way by highlighting a biblical perspective towards current events, political worldviews, and history. Rather than looking through the perspective of worldly institutions, the column asks how we as believers can renew our minds to see how God views these things – and then use that understanding to bring Him glory by speaking Truth, not politics, into the culture.
Check out the first two columns:
“A challenge to the head of state”
“Who’s the real enemy?”
The Church has been a timeless voice to the culture throughout history. Though culture constantly changes, the Word of God never does. Just as Joseph and Moses advised Egypt, as Daniel advised Babylon, as Elijah advised Ahab, as Nathan advised David, and as Paul advised Rome, the culture today needs the Church to be that timeless voice – that rock that stands for the Truth, no matter what direction the culture is going.
The timeless voice is not a voice from this kingdom. It is not Republican or Democrat, nor conservative or liberal. No, the timeless voice doesn’t even come from this world; it comes from a completely other kingdom. The timeless voice represents the God who created the heavens and the earth, and it stands for the same truths it always has. It must never be shaken, and it must never change. That voice is what is needed in America today.
America needs the Church to be who God has called them to be: His ambassadors to the people of the world … the timeless voice.
Greg Baker is The FAMiLY LEADER Foundation’s vice president of church engagement.
