This past week, of course, the Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade. This ruling did not prohibit abortion, but sent it back to the states for each state to determine what their liberties or restrictions will be concerning abortion. The probability is that many states will greatly restrict abortions and some states will allow abortions up to the moment of birth. I wasn’t surprised by the strong response on each side of this issue , but one thing did surprise me…a little.

Our senior pastor decided to comment on the ruling and several people left, declaring that they do not come to church to hear or participate in politics. They would be back when we decided to just preach the Bible. I suppose this may be a response that’s been groomed by a misguided emphasis on the separation of church and state. Many believers have come to the conclusion that what happens in church should not in any way influence what happens in our culture or government…as if God has not interest in that.

I want to push back against that view in this blog because the next two to three years are going to be politically crazy and will probably determine the fate of America for the foreseeable future. I certainly agree that the government should in no way establish a state church and require Americans to be part of that church. I believe that was the simple intent of the founders when they spoke to that in the constitution. However, that is a very different thing from our efforts to influence culture so that it lines up with the word of God.

Solomon wrote, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Prov. 14:34). The clear message of scripture is that God still judges individuals and nations. If we care about our nation, our communities, our friends and our families, we must be an influence for righteousness. In America, part of that influence is in the ballot box on election days, speaking up at town hall meetings and sharing our thoughts over coffee. Part of that is also lawful influence towards those who make our laws. We are to be salt and light. We are to be leaven in our culture.

Jesus told his followers, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough” (Lk. 13:20).  We are not to coerce people to do it our way or demand that they see everything our way, but we are to influence the people and the culture around us for righteousness.

From Genesis to Revelation, a constant theme emerges. People and nations that submit to the righteousness of God are blessed. Those who do not, are cursed. It is the responsibility of the church to inform God’s people regarding cultural shifts and trends. Scripture has no value it we do not apply it to life. Teaching on the things that politics are influencing is not politics. It is informing God’s people of what God says about the things that politics affects, so that we might respond in a spiritually responsible way to the world around us. To do less is to invite judgment.

According to Deuteronomy 28-30, judgment looks like natural disasters, war, runaway inflation, crop failures, abnormal levels of disease, abnormal numbers of miscarriages, confusion, corrupt and foolish leadership, oppression, failure, defeat, runaway crime, food shortages, and more. If you check the boxes, America is being judged. It is not God’s desire to judge us, but his righteousness demands it. His heart is for us to repent so that he can bless us once again.

When we treat trends in culture, government, or politics as something we should not speak to in church, we communicate silently that God is not interested in those things. But he is very interested. The judgments of God will affect even believers…our children and our grandchildren. If we are not informed, we cannot be an influence for good…we cannot be salt, light, and leaven. We cannot give a good answer to those who disagree with God. I agree that we should not tell people who to vote for, but we should tell them what God stands for and encourage them to align their voice and their vote with those who best represent God’s values.

In the next two years, there will be an onslaught of political activity at its worst. It will be divisive, deceptive, slanderous, and accusatory. We will need help sorting out the truth and knowing what God has to say about the values represented by each party or candidate. I don’t want to stand with Democrats or Republicans. I want to stand with God because whether we do or not as a nation determines whether we will be blessed or cursed.

I hope we will invite our spiritual leaders to give us guidance rather than bering silent or rather than walking out because we are touching the substance of politics. I promise you, Satan is very involved in the political process because it determines the fate of a nation. . If we do not influence that process with the righteous demands of God, this nation will not stand. We, our children, and our grandchildren will pay the price for our silence. Our goal as believers is not to represent one party or another, but to represent God to this nation in every possible way.