Is that the Good Book?

Today on the bus an older gentleman approached me and asked 'Is that the Good Book?'.  At first I thought he asked is that 'A' good book, but I realized quickly that, no, he had asked is that 'THE' Good Book. 

I indicated yes and he told me, 'Keep studying it son, it is the only real source of truth'.  I smiled and said 'absolutely' and he then he told me, 'I have a my copy right here' and indicated the case he was carrying.

I was reading from 1 Peter 1: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading..."

 

What a blessed truth it is.

Should Christians be involved in politics?

Should Christians be involved in politics?  What should the Christian's relation be to the State?


In our Sunday evening class tonight the instructor asked this question (mostly, it seemed, to blank stares).  He didn't answer it but encouraged us each to think about it.  This is a topic I have thought about significantly, and I did so again tonight after the class.  To order my thoughts I decided to write this out quickly, and since I wrote it I decided to share it.


Should Christians be involved in politics?


There isn't an inch of this earth which does not belong to Jesus Christ; including politics, education and any and all other aspects of culture.


"He shall have dominion from sea to sea."


There are only two kingdoms, one of Satan and one of Christ.  Christ's Kingdom is opened only through the preaching of the gospel, however every sphere of this world into which Christians are called (and Christians are called to all different kinds of spheres) should be influenced by our actions for the glory of God.


"Let your light so shine before men that they see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven".  


God extends common grace into the world's spheres through many causes, but a primary one is by extension of his by special grace first delivered to Christians through the gospel.  Being saved by grace through faith, we enter into all spheres where the influence of the kingdom of Satan is prominent and by God's grace change them for the better.  No this does not save people, nor does it bring them into Christ's kingdom, but it is a grace to them none-the-less. 

And as the Gospel prevails in culture over time (we pray) God's grace will eventually shape every aspect of culture.  That in everything Christ may have the preeminence, and through Him God would reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.


"From His fulness we have all received grace upon grace."


So should Christians be involved in politics?  YES!  Has God impacted you by his grace through Jesus Christ such that you know the truth through his word?  God's word speaks to every aspect of life, if not explicitly then by implication, it is our job to go out and put that word into practice.