It’s Not About Caesar
If angst, rhetoric and chatter were water, America would need an ark. The hive has been whacked with a Trump stick and it is buzzing like mad. Oh, I am fully aware that many of the worker bees are in favor of the stick; clearly enough to get him elected. But the delighted and disgruntled are filling the air with the buzz of debate. Now here I am adding my bucket full to the flood.
My contribution is for the followers of Jesus in this country: Consider your discussions carefully within the context of Jesus’ mission. My concern is not primarily that we speak graciously, but that we would be wise in what topics we spend our energy on.
Within the Christian community, there will always be diverse views on virtually every topic, and that certainly includes politics. Thoughtful discussion can be a healthy thing, even rigorous debate. After all, iron sharpens iron. But iron also cuts and punctures so we must be careful.
A critical (and often neglected) part of being careful is determining if a particular debate is worth continuing, or even starting in the first place. Scripture warns that arguing our preferences in church leaders can easily be plain old worldliness. Read 1 Corinthians 3:3-7. It is quite sobering. I believe the danger is even greater for us with respect to debating politics.
Jesus knew this well, and he refused to bite when his enemies invited him to weigh in on a hot political debate. “Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” Jesus’ answer is famous: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” Jesus refused to take a side, not because he couldn’t have made a good argument, but because the argument wasn’t important enough. It’s not about Caesar. Kings will come and go, some better, some worse. The directive from Scripture is to honor, submit and pray for them. Our primary energies are to be spent pointing people to Jesus.
So, as you are talking and posting, I urge you to consider, “Am I helping others (and myself) toward what is most important in light of eternity?”
Pastor Toby
Categories: Evergreen Connection