A modern Laodicea

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The above meme is circulating about as we are in the midst of yet another election cycle, in the middle of a tulmultuous time in world history. It got me to thinking. 

When we try to tie the Church to any political entity, we must consider that the Church started under Roman rule. Rome was openly hostile to what they viewed as a new sect of Judaism primarily because it rejected the ways of the world around it. The Christians did not worship the Roman gods. The Christians would not fight in the army. The Christians would not indulge in any of the debauchery of the Greco-Roman world. They were different.  

The Apostles taught "Crucifixion of the flesh," but also respect for those in authority. There is no place in the teachings of Christ or the Apostles where we can find that Christians are instructed to take part in the political landscape. The Apostle Paul did use his Roman citizenship as a tool to further the Gospel, but he did not seek power through politics. 

Fast forward 2000 years to modern America, where many Christians hold firmly to a sort of manifest destiny, in which it is difficult to find where their devotion to country ends and their faith in Jesus Christ begins. This is not what was intended. Christians in America fear persecution rather than embracing it. The idea of taking up one's cross is terrifying because it means giving up the comfort that we love so much.

The Apostle John spoke of the Church of Laodicea. “I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”—Revelation 3:15–16 

Modern America is the very embodiment of Laodicae. It was a wealthy city, we are the wealthiest nation on earth. They were comfortable, we are also comfortable. If you wonder why there is no mention of a great western power in the various apocalyptic passages in the scripture, it is easy to infer that like Laodicea, we will be expelled for our lukewarm behavior.

So the challenge is this: Do we continue to live as if we have the power to change the world, putting our faith in elected leaders, or do we place our faith and trust only in God and live and speak the Gospel of Jesus Christ as if our very lives depended upon it? 

If we are in Christ, this is not our home. Certainly, there is nothing to prevent us from voting in an open election. By all means, we should; however, in light of the freedom we have in Christ, we should vote for Biblical principles. If a man or woman does not uphold or exemplify those things which are right and in line with the teachings of scripture, they should not have our vote. In the end, God is sovereign above all, and this allows us to vote our conscience. If we do this, we have no need for shame. 

A plaque hung in my parents' home as long as I can remember. I do not know the author, but I read it so many times it is etched upon my memory: "Only one life, 't will soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last."

Love God. Love your neighbor. Live Christ.