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I think we can all agree that some of the most untrustworthy people are politicians. They are known for lying, cheating, and stealing. And when confronted for doing so, they say, “I was just being political.”
There are seven billion people on this planet, and one thing all seven billion of us can agree on is that politicians shouldn’t be trusted. I recall someone promising to pay off student loans if elected. That person got elected and the student loans debt department still has me on speed-dial.
I’m sure we can all relate to falling victim to the lies of our favorite politician. However, as frustrated as we may be with them, the interesting thing about coming to Christ is that I’ve noticed most of us are just like these politicians — We say whatever will captivate an audience with no actual plans of following through.
Our Sunday services have merely become glorified press conferences where we say whatever to keep the people happy. We can all agree that you can find a politician talking about what he or she will do but actually doing absolutely nothing. The sad reality is that most of the body of Christ is the same way.
“3 For the time is coming when [people] will not tolerate (endure) sound and wholesome instruction, but, having ears itching [for something pleasing and gratifying], they will gather to themselves one teacher after another to a considerable number, chosen to satisfy their own liking and to foster the errors they hold, 4 And will turn aside from hearing the truth and wander off into myths and man-made fictions.” - 2 Timothy 3: 3-4 AMPC
Jesus isn’t our Lord and Savior, but more like our favorite political candidate. We love Him enough to buy shirts and wallpapers and listen to people speak about Him for an hour a week. But when it comes to actually adopting His ways of life, and coming along side by side with Him, we are nowhere to be found. Similar to the aftermath of the election of our favorite president, when asked how our new profound faith has changed our lives from day-to-day, we usually have few words to say.
“7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee and escape from the wrath and indignation [of God against disobedience] that is coming? 8 Bring forth fruit that is consistent with repentance [let your lives prove your change of heart];” - Matthew 3:7-8 AMPC
Unfortunately, this reminds me of another political party in the Bible called the Pharisees. The Pharisees were known for their much speaking but lacked any follow-through.
“2 The scribes and Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat [of authority]. 3 So observe and practice all they tell you; but do not do what they do, for they preach, but do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy loads, hard to bear, and place them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves will not lift a finger to help bear them.” - Matthew 23:2-4 AMPC
The reality is that Jesus says that all members of their party, or anything similar to them, will suffer loss for eternity.
“20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness (your uprightness and your right standing with God) is more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” - Matthew 5:19-21 AMPC
The Question of the Day: Most political candidates are known for their talk and not their walk — Would you consider yourself a politician?