Political Solution to a Spiritual Problem

The world seems to be a very dark place these days. We have increasing poverty, inflation, homelessness, violence, and countless other issues plaguing our society. Every election cycle in the US, my biggest pet peeve is all on our minds: Looking to a politician or political party for the solutions to our problems. Taxes are too high, education scores are suffering, gas and groceries are getting too expensive. Our society today is obsessed with politics and how they are looking for others to solve the problems we face.

We are looking for answers in the wrong places. There was only one time in history where a person had the answers we needed. His name was Jesus and we ended up killing Him. You see, many of the problems we face are issues that stem from a spiritual lacking.

We have an identity crisis on our hands. Many of us call ourselves Christian but we don’t live like a Christian should live. Our actions do not fall in line with our identity. When we look at what values we learn from the Bible about social justice, humility, generosity, and love and compare it to what many of us value today, it’s easy to see that we live in the exact opposite manor. We have social media programs where the goal is to have as many likes and followers as we can. We want all eyes on us instead of having all eyes on Him. The American dream is now to drive the fanciest car and have the newest iPhone and the nicest clothes and have a retirement account in the millions so that we can be comfortable. We think love is something you can find on a dating app on your phone instead of something that you give unconditionally to others no matter who they are, what they look like, or what they have done in the past.

Our problems are not going to be solved by a politician. They will be solved when enough people look inside themselves and live out the identity that God has given to you. That identity is that you are a child of God. You have the Holy Spirit living within you and there is a purpose for your life. In Romans chapter 12, Paul writes that we are not to conform to the world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. By renewing your mind and fixing on God’s plan and purpose for your life, you will be able to prove what is good and acceptable and perfect in God’s eyes.

This is no easy task. It is very lonely on the other side of society. People will disown you. You will have new and few friends. Things may become more difficult financially or in relationships. However, when you give it up to God he will provide for you like he did with the manna in the desert.

If the majority of people who call themselves Christian actually became an apprentice (a more understandable word than disciple) of Christ and lived the way He lived, our problems would disappear.

Jesus taught many lessons that we read about in the Gospels. Many of those lessons we hear but do not understand the meaning behind them. We make the Gospels serve us and our ideals. If a Gospel reading doesn’t align with the lifestyle we want to live, we either ignore it or make it fit our lifestyle. Jesus said in Luke 8:34 “If any man were to come after me, LET HIM DENY HIMSELF AND TAKE UP HIS CROSS AND FOLLOW ME.” Does this sound like we should be looking for comfort as a Christian? Should we be clinging to our comfortable lifestyles and walk by homeless, and the sick (both physically and spiritually), and the brokenhearted? Do we need a bigger house and more stuff or can we free ourselves in the simplicity of less?

Jesus told us that it is not safe to follow him, that you need to DENY YOURSELF and what you want for your life and instead live for Him and walk in the will of God. How many of the issues you face can be solved with you following God’s will for your life instead of your own will or what society tells you to do? By dying to yourself and living in the identity that God gave to us, you now have the real security that Paul talked about “to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

Instead of looking left or right for your answers, I challenge you to look up to Christ. Stand up for your values and do the hard things. Make sure your values are rooted in scripture and in Christ’s teachings and not by your own understanding. Only then will you find the answers to the problems in this world and maybe, one by one, we can let our light shine in the darkness.

Reflection Questions:

• Who are you living your life for?
• How do your politics effect your relationship with God?
• What can you change about your life and how you see yourself to live more like Christ?