Civilian Affairs
“No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs – he wants to please his commanding officer.” – 2 Timothy 2:4
“Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgement on disputable matters.” – Rom 14:1
We must recall that Paul was a military man. He was part of the ruling class in Jerusalem and had a mind for organization and administration. There was certainly temptation to get wrapped up in the politics of the age. Especially by rationalizing that he could impact change by becoming a part of the authority. Instead he considered himself a soldier for Christ, or a Marine for God.
When I was serving, most of the Marines kept their political beliefs to themselves. There is somehow a perceptaion in the media or popular civilian culture that suggest that the military is associated with one particular party or issue. The truth is most military men consider it a matter of professionalism to remain silent in their political beliefs. Many refused to vote while serving on active duty in order to keep their minds focused on servitude to the country, rather than gauging their level of commitment based on who was leading the country.
I have no doubt that Paul had a similar experience in the Roman military. He likely felt as he stated above, military men ought not get caught up in civilian affairs such as politics.
Does this mean that Christians should isolate themselves from their communities and refuse public service or that a person is sinning by holding public office? No. Certainly not. But it does have implications as to how we view devicive issues which proport having the support of "all Christians."
Follw my logic in this, lets assume that polls are correct and 85% of Americans consider themselves Christian. If this is true, why do Christians need to have laws created by the secular state to help them hold to their own proclaimed religious morals? This would be the equivalent of college students pushing for a law to require themselves to study! Or a law that forced us to exercise three times a week. The greatness of this nation and of democracy in general is the following of God’s will to grant men their options in life. Some might claim that the Protestant reformation paved the way for the eventual separation of Church and state. These scholars would argue that there is some way for a democracy to divorce itself from its religion completely. I disagree. I believe that concept of separation of church and state is a wise moral decision by our founding fathers, setting a tremendous precedent for democracies world wide, however it doesn’t come naturally.
Many argue that without a religious foundation we are a chaotic society, "a ship without a rudder." It did contribute to disorder and chaos. I certainly think that society is less safe, less organized, less efficient and less productive under freedom (in all of its manifestations). Yes freedom for all is messy. On the other hand there is nothing more powerful than a nation that chooses to act collectively. When the people of a nation chose right over wrong the outcome is spectacular.
Despite all of this there is a bottom line. A soldier does not get involved in civilian affairs! Christians should vote and vote their conscious. America is not a Christendom, nor a theocracy of any kind. No single political candidate or political party has a stronghold on the principles of the Bible. The Marine of God does not get involved in civilian affairs. Let me site some examples:
Are you against gay marriage? Great, so is the Bible. You want to do something about the travesty of marriage in the country? Here are some quick tips: don’t marry gays in your church, don't attend churchs that break your moral laws, counsel those who are married on how to stay happily married, counsel those who are not married on how to have strong spiritual relationships that lead to strong marriages (relationships based on complete purity and respect), offer counseling and workshops for the community on marriage and relationships. These are but a few of the many options.
It is completely backwards for Christians to appeal to the secular government to enforce a religious law or protect a religious establishment. Marriages are sanctioned by God through the blessings of the church not by the State. To the churches that have let go of the authority in marriage I say shame on you! Let the state develop its own concepts for taxation, estate settlement, patient rights and powers of attorney. Meanwhile give the power of marriage back to the church. Let it once again be in the presence of God and witnesses not at the will of the state. Many of us with mixed race marriages are not even technically legal in many states!
Are there more moral issues that plague our nation? Abortion, teen-pregnancy, drug addiction, proliferation of pornography, workaholicsm, child abuse, domestic violence and gangs? Where are the 85% of Christians? Is it only 15% of America that is perpetrate all of these evil deeds? No! Our moral compass has shifted to follow the ever changing magnetic north of the state. We have allowed the state to poison us, not because the state is evil but because we are lazy. The state did not choose Christianity we did! We chose to follow Christ, let us now live up to to that commitment and set our moral compass on the one who can save us.
Politics is a disputable matter best left without judgement by our Chritian brothers and sisters. We may argue and debate but in the end we must resolve that secular influences will not divide our eternal fellowship.
