The Advance of God's Kingdom

One aspect of the body of Christ the church I have grown to appreciate is the unity of believers with diversity.  As members of our physical bodies have different purposes and functions, all members are to operate with the good of the whole as led and empowered by the Holy Spirit.  Though there is one church it is comprised of many fellowships that have their own flavour, style and points of emphasis.  One church may be focused more on discipleship, whilst another can be more missionary minded or politically engaged.  God places individuals within each church who are unique from everyone else with their own individual callings, convictions and way of following Jesus.

Those who God calls to be in pastoral ministry do well to continue in what they know and have heard from God, to remain faithful to their purpose to preach the word of God.  There are pastors who make political and social issues the main thrust of their sermons, and they have this freedom to do as they are led by the LORD.  I do not share the conviction of pastor I recently saw interviewed, that "Politics is the highest form of community."  For the Christian, the highest form of community is our union with God by His Spirit and with one another in the church.  Even as God has given us leeway concerning our biblical convictions (outside the non-negotiables concerning the divinity of Jesus Christ and the Gospel), He allows freedom in our political views as well.  I believe God has Christians in politics, and it is by the hearing and studying of God's word that leads to biblically sound views--whether it be in business, a marriage, raising children or in the political sphere.

One thing I observe in the life of Jesus is how apolitical He was.  Many times He chose not to take sides when He had the opportunity to wield great political influence.  Again, there is nothing wrong with being engaged in political activism.  But we ought to keep in mind the focus of Christ and disciples like Paul were on the kingdom of God--not on the current government or political climate.  Rather than taking the fight to a corrupt Roman political system, Paul urged believers with all meekness and gentleness to go to battle against their own foolish thinking God's way in 2 Corinthians 10:3-6:  "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. ⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, ⁵ casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, ⁶ and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled."  Our wrestle is not against flesh and blood but principalities, powers, against rulers of darkness and spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12)  In submission to God in what He calls us to do, we can trust His kingdom will be advanced by His Spirit in our personal and social interactions.

It is remarkable to me the huge impact a handful of believers made on the world as they obeyed Jesus to wait in Jerusalem until they were empowered from on high.  10 days after the ascension of Jesus, the Holy Spirit came upon about 120 of them as they gathered in one accord in prayer, and the world has never been the same after the church was birthed by God on the Day of Pentecost.  10 days of obedience to God led to great revival and transformation by faith in Jesus Christ that has continued to positively impact people, culture, society, family and politics to this day.  Activism and political causes will come and go, but those who abide in Jesus and obey His word will be fruitful and endure forever.