Looking for A Political Savior

Are you looking for a political savior? You are not alone. In every election cycle, people look for a savior with principled courage in hopes that their country can be saved this time. And no wonder! There is job insecurity, rampant immorality, and government corruption. And when government power is abused, it causes instability in our country, stoking our fears and insecurities.

Indeed, our political leaders have failed us, yet we keep searching for “the one,” a political savior, who can save our country and, thus, save us. The following Bible verse recorded long ago, describes how many Christians feel today.

God rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of lawless men (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard). 2 Peter 2:7-8 

The Israelites Had God But Demanded a Politician

Looking for a human savior is nothing new. The Bible states that there is nothing new under the sun.

What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one can say, “Look! This is something new”? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time. Ecclesiastes 1:9-10

The nation Israel had been chosen and ruled by God, but they decided they wanted to be like other nations, so they demanded a king. Imagine the foolishness of rejecting God’s rule for that of a fallible human being. Yet, God is merciful, so He warned Israel through Samuel that a king would lead to conscription, taxation, confiscation of their property, and even enslavement.

As predicted, this not only happened, but later, the people and their religious leaders were subjected to Roman rule. The Jews hated paying taxes to Rome because much of the tax money went to maintain the pagan temples and the luxurious lifestyles of Rome’s upper class. And because the coins they paid their taxes with bore not only the portrait of the emperor but also carried an inscription describing him as ‘son of god!’

Consequently, members of a Jewish patriotic party called Zealots formed to resist Roman rule. They were driven by hatred and resorted to violence and assassination. This is the world that Jesus was born into, yet He talked little about government and certainly never promoted hatred and division.

In God We Trust, Or A Political Savior

The religious leaders asked Jesus: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?  Should we pay, or shouldn’t we? Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” And they were amazed at Him. Mark 12:15, 17

Jesus taught that believers have dual citizenship on earth and in heaven with obligations to both. Thus, It is the will of God to continually seek Him by faith and do His will on earth, no matter who is in power. However, this was not what the Jews wanted to hear; they wanted the government overthrown.

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king. Romans 13:1; 1 Peter 2:16-17

God set up government as a system to promote good, protect citizens, and punish evildoers. Therefore, a nation whose people reject God has already set itself up for failure. Because when the majority of the elect is immoral, they vote for leaders who reflect themselves, endangering the country to godless tyranny like Marxism.

John Adams was a Founding Father and the second President of the United States. He said, “Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” Indeed, “in God, we trust” was the foundation of our Republic. Thus, virtue must be valued for a society to remain free because only those with principles willingly obey the laws of the land.

Caution When Looking for a Political Saviour

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. Psalm 118:8-9

A quote from the 2009 book “Counterfeit Gods” by Timothy Keller: “Opponents are not considered to be simply mistaken, but to be evil. The increasing political polarization and bitterness we see in U.S. politics today is a sign that we have made political activism into a form of religion.”

These are sobering words that serve as a warning to remember the reasons Israel demanded a king to rule them instead of God. It is when people cease to trust in God that they yearn for a political savior. Then, when they find that candidate, politics becomes the answer to all their problems instead of God. In other words, politics becomes their religion.

As proof, open your Twitter feed or watch the news to see what “passionate, religious-like zeal” looks like. Shouldn’t this kind of devotion be reserved for God? Anyone at this point must take a long, hard look at themselves.

Hopes placed in mortals die with them; all the promise of their power comes to nothing. Proverbs 11:7

Defending a Political Savior But Forgetting God

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2

What happens when you defend your political savior but forget your calling from God? Friends unfriend friends on Facebook because sinful passions are riding high, and there is no room for differences during this election year. Instead of the fragrance of Christ, division is sown!

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.” 1 Peter 3:9-10

We cease to love our neighbor when we look down on others who disagree, calling them names in our heads. We deceive ourselves and do the will of the enemy when we think our cause is righteous, yet our behavior is anything but. Superiority is not a Christian value, as it reveals a lack of love.

God is both truth and love, so His followers must carefully balance the two. Those controlled by the Holy Spirit can speak the truth in love without being argumentative. And they can support their candidate but do so in a way that if they lose, they are willing to trust God for the outcome. If you do this, your family and friends will remain intact through any election cycle.

Remember, Satan is always ready to use those willing to sow resentment, discord, and division, but don’t let that person be you. God has called us to peace.

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3

A Political Savior Can Be Corrupt

For the kingdom is the LORD’S, and He rules over the nations. Psalm 22:28

When we continue to see evil leaders elected, we may wonder if God controls world events. However, because of unbelief, God may give a nation the ruler it demands. If the leader is wicked, the people will suffer for their choice, but perhaps they will repent and seek God.

The Book of Daniel teaches us that God is Sovereign, and His unseen hand is behind everything that happens to us, individually and corporately as a nation. God called Daniel to serve an evil king when he wrote this:

Praise be to the name of God forever and ever; wisdom and power are His. He changes times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them. Daniel 2:20-21

Do you believe that God rules from heaven and that His will cannot be denied? Faith that believes God is Sovereign and that nothing is too difficult for Him has a firm foundation. Indeed, God governs the world according to His purposes.

Job replied to the Lord: “I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. Job 42:1-2

Don’t lose faith in God because you do not understand what He is doing.

“My thoughts are not your thoughts; neither are your ways my ways.”  Declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

God Elevates a Political Savior To Do His Will

Only God knows the future, and He alone sees the end of all history. He inspired the prophet Isaiah to prophesy to the Jewish people 150 years before it happened that they would have an “anointed one” named Cyrus, a Gentile who did not even acknowledge God. The Jewish people knew God’s prophesy in Isaiah, but they could not believe that God would use a pagan to deliver them.

From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do. Isaiah 46:11

In the foreknowledge of God, Cyrus became king of Persia. He used his power to pass a decree that released the exiled Jews so they could return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. (See Ezra 1:1-7; Isaiah 41:2-4; 44:28; 45:1-13) Why would God choose Cyrus, a pagan Gentile, to free His people?

God Most High rules over all the nations on earth and gives them to anyone He wishes. Few kings of Israel or Judah did as much for God’s people as King Cyrus of Persia. Subsequently, the same God who raised up the Gentile, Cyrus, to save the Jews shows us that God uses even unbelievers to serve His purposes. So, choose to trust God’s plan because History is His story.

The Lord foils the plans of the nations; He thwarts the purposes of the peoples, But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations. Psalm 33:10-11

Examine Yourself Before Looking for a Political Savior

God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne. Psalm 47: 8

How about you? Are you following the teachings of Christ or conforming to the world’s thinking based on human reason? Therefore, it is good to examine yourself and consider how your vote will affect the nation. Then, pray for wisdom and select the candidate and party platform that best reflects the Bible’s teaching. And when you remember God’s will cannot be defeated, it will take the anger out of your politics.

Notes from Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a committed Christian living in Nazi Germany: “Jesus was never a political savior though that is what the people were looking for. If we cleaned up America by law and had the right political party in power, we would still have massive problems because hearts are left unchanged. Our basic problem is sin and disobedience to God, so our problems will only continue under new rulers.”

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?  Jeremiah 17:9

Make Jesus Your Savior and Eternal King!

Only God can fix the world’s problems that stem from sin in the human heart.

I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from Me, there is no Savior. Isaiah 43:11

Jesus Christ did not come from heaven to lead a religious or a government revolt but to save us from our sins, the real cause of all the pain, misery, and injustice in the world. Spiritual renewal begins with repentance. Therefore, to be saved by God, first acknowledge that you have sinned against Him. Then, believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins on the cross and rose again. Sincerely ask Jesus to come into your heart, and He will. (Romans 10:8-13)

No earthly savior will ever compare to Jesus Christ, ruler of heaven and earth. Indeed, political parties and candidates soon fade away, but Christ and His Kingdom last forever.

The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:17

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Bible study for “Looking for a Political Savior”

Week 1:  2 Chronicles 7:14; 20:6; Ezra 1:1-7; 1 Samuel 8:4-22; Job 12:22-25; 42:1-2; Psalms 2; 10:16; 22:27-28; 33:10-22; 45:4-6; 47:1-3, 7-10; 66:5-7; 67:4-5; 94:9-11, 20-23; 118:8-9; Proverbs 3:3-8; 4:23-27; 8:13-17; 11:7; 14:34; 16:18; 21:1

Week 2:  Ecclesiastes 1:9-10; 2:26; 3:14-15; 12:13-14; Isaiah 5:20-21; 31:1-3; 40:6-8, 12-15, 21-26, 28-31; 41:2-4; 43:11-13; 45:1-13; 46:11; 55:6-9; 59:1-2, 12-16; Jeremiah 7:23-24, 28; 9:3, 5-6, 23-24; 17:5-9; 18:7-10; 32:17, 26-27; Daniel 2:20-21; 4:17, 34-37

Week 3:  Matthew 1:21; 22:36-40; Mark 12:15, 17; Luke 1:37; John 2:23-25; 14:27; 16:33; 19:10-11; Acts 4:12; 5:28-29; Romans 12:3, 16-17, 21; 10:8-13; 13:1-7; 1 Corinthians 4:18-20; 2 Corinthians 5:7-10; Ephesians 3:1-2; 4:2-3; Philippians 3:20; 4:4-9

Week 4:  Colossians 1:12-15; 3:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 5:15-16; 1 Timothy 2:1-6; 6:15-16; 2 Timothy 2:19, 23-26; Titus 2:11-14; 3:1-2; Hebrews 11:6; 12:14; 13:8; 1 Peter 2:13-17; 3:8-12; 2 Peter 2:7-10; 1 John 2:3-6, 15-17; 4:13-15; 5:1-5; Revelation 1:5; 11:15