When Jesus was asked what is needed to inherit eternal life, he replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself."
There are many ways for believers to love their neighbors as themselves. There are also many ways to withhold love from neighbors. Some of the ways to love or withhold love from neighbors is over-the-fence, around-the-corner, down-the-street, across-town, and other one-on-one type care and activities. However, just as important, and usually more consequential, is the affect of public policy on our neighbors.
When the new country of the United States of America was formed, it was formed as a country that would be governed “by” and “for” the citizens of the United States. America is not a country where the citizens have only a vote and a say in the affairs of government; America is a country where the citizens ARE the government.
As citizens, and therefore members of government in the United States, it is the duty of believers to participate in the creation and changes of public policy through political activity because every penny that is taken through taxes and every penny that is spent by government has an affect on our neighbors; sometimes good, but often times bad, as government increasingly comes under the control of special interests that are not interested or concerned with the welfare of our neighbors.
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3 comments:
That's a unique take on the subject, David, at least to me. I've never heard an encouragement to participate in governmental affairs put that way, and find it rather compelling.
However, can't we use such an argument to justify nearly any level of meddling in the affairs of others? I think your argument is entirely valid, but if we adopt such an interpretation of "love thy neighbor", what interference cannot be justified?
” However, can't we use such an argument to justify nearly any level of meddling in the affairs of others? I think your argument is entirely valid, but if we adopt such an interpretation of "love thy neighbor", what interference cannot be justified?”
Hi Hammer,
If a Christian believes it is his or her role to meddle in the affairs of others through public policy, then yes, this same argument could be used. Many a Christian is a meddler and will continue to meddle regardless of the Biblical justification or rationale.
I, however, believe it is the role of the Christian to mostly prevent government from meddling in the affairs of others. Obviously, this is not an absolute principle since we need some rules and some structure that need government oversight, but mostly we need to be left alone in order to determine our own destiny and in order to suffer the consequences of our own poor decisions.
For the most part, government is a problem, not a solution, and therefore should be limited.
Many a Christian is a meddler and will continue to meddle regardless of the Biblical justification or rationale.
That says it all!
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