Don’t isolate yourself from the public square - GBC Bulletin Column #5

Photograph: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images.

Micah 7:1-6 potently portrays the foolishness of placing our hopes in fellow members of humanity for salvation (in the context of the passage, physical deliverance is what the prophet has in view). He declares that “there is no one upright among mankind.” Princes, judges, great men, neighbours, friends, lovers, sons, daughters, daughters-in-law, and other house-hold members are paraded in a tragic procession of those who at some time, in some way, will let you down. In whom then should we trust? Where should our hope reside? The answer is in verse seven: “But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.” As Christians our hope for mankind’s redemption, reconciliation, and restoration should rest in the one Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This means that if the abortion of our children will end, God will do it. If the one man/one woman/for life definition of marriage will be upheld, God will do it. If dictatorships will be destroyed, God will do it. If terrorists will be thwarted, God will do it. If persecutors will be punished, God will do it. And so on and so forth.

Truly we have placed all our hope in the Lord. But the Lord has sovereignly appointed governing authorities as instruments in society to reward what is good and to punish what is evil (Romans 13:1-5). This means that if in our society God will end abortion, uphold marriage, destroy dictatorships, thwart terrorists, and punish persecutors, he will do so through government: Parliament, the Armed Forces, local councils, the police, and who-ever else is in authority. We are commanded to pray for them “that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Timothy 2:1-2) even as everyone is to “speak the truth with his neighbour” (Ephesians 4:25). Have you isolated yourself from principle-driven political engagement? To excuse yourself with reference to God’s sovereignty is biblically imbalanced pious narcissism. Are you sceptical of politicians and parties? Political scepticism need not produce public separation. Don't neglect your civil right to petition and speak, and don't forget your Christian duty to pray and speak the truth. Not because God isn’t our only hope, but precisely because God is our only hope, as he works in and through us “both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).

This was printed in the worship bulletin of Grace Baptist Church (Wood Green) 26/05/2013. 

The photo was published in the politics section of the Guardian newspaper's website at http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/blog/2013/may/21/gay-marriage-detox-symbol-cameron . It depicts participants in a recent prayer gathering outside the House of Commons protesting the Government's proposed redefinition of marriage.