Let Us Contend for Our Faith with Grace and Love

Undoubtedly, throughout history, the Church’s social and political influence, insofar as it has adhered to the values of the Word of God, has been benevolent and humanizing. One need only observe the difference between countries that historically developed under the influence of Christianity and those that evolved under the guidance of other religious systems. But on many occasions, the Church has handled authority very poorly. It has brought shame and scandal upon the name of Jesus Christ when it has used its power to oppress others and enrich itself illegitimately.

For all these reasons, we must proceed with great sobriety and caution when advocating greater integration between Church and government, or when we become frustrated by so many people’s resistance to the idea of Christian government in our countries. To some extent, the blame for the suspicious attitude that so many modern people have toward the Church lies at the feet of the Church itself, because of its inconsistent and sinful conduct throughout the centuries when it has wielded political power.

Having said this, however, we must recognize that God wants nations and other human institutions to reflect the values of his Kingdom; that even before Christ comes, we Christians must strive for our societies to submit to the moral and spiritual values of the gospel. We cannot take our talent, like the unfaithful servant in the parable, and hide it in a handkerchief for fear of not investing it properly. Fear of failure must never prevent us from obeying Jesus’ command to do business until he comes (Luke 19:13). We Christians must obey the call to become involved in politics and in the social and cultural spheres. When we obtain such positions of influence, we must use them to facilitate the spread of the gospel and its moral and spiritual values.

The Bible is full of examples of men and women who used positions of political influence to advance the interests and values of the Kingdom of God. We have Joseph, Daniel, Esther, and Nehemiah, whom God used mightily to accomplish his historical purposes. Throughout history, Christians such as Father Las Casas, Abraham Lincoln, William Wilberforce, and Abraham Kuyper drew strength and enlightenment from their Christian faith to carry out important reforms within society. Biblical figures such as Joseph, David, Daniel, and Jehoshaphat used political power from a position centered on God and his Word, and acted with integrity and competence in carrying out their public responsibilities.

When we hold public office, we must bind ourselves fiercely to the mast of prayer and the Word of God in order to obtain the wisdom necessary to wield power according to the values of the gospel. Like Solomon, we must ask the Lord, “Give, therefore, your servant an understanding heart to judge your people and to discern between good and evil” (1 Kings 3:9). We must genuinely display humility and generosity to the world. But we cannot act hesitantly or timidly when God grants us the opportunity to legislate in his name.

We cannot retreat into a corner and stop contending for our faith merely because we have made mistakes in the past! What matters is that we learn from those mistakes and proceed with wisdom and humility. We must strive as never before to ensure that our social influence reflects the goodness, grace, justice, and truth of Jesus Christ. We must proceed honestly and transparently when we enter the uncertain and treacherous terrain of politics and cultural transformation. But we must also intervene with confidence and determination, knowing that we act in the power and authority of Jesus Christ. We possess God’s unique and complete truth, which the nations need as never before.