Finish well.

In an interview, Kellyanne Conway, a successful political campaign manager, frequently in the eye of relentless storms, posed this heart-breaking question, “Would you rather be right or be loved?” She was commenting on the extreme polarization within American politics where lifelong friendships and even marriages, including her own were being torn asunder by the blood-drawing sword of blind ideology.

I remember being impressed as a teenager in India, by Senator Ben Sasse’s description of political differences, that while politicians agree on the problems, they differ on solutions; some lying to the left while others to the right within the political spectrum. Except for the most rosy-eyed idealist, that is no longer held as true of politics anywhere in the world — we have entered good versus evil territory, red lines have been drawn, and the twain shall never meet.

These musings came to a head after an experience which caused me to ponder over the poverty of spirit, weakness of character, and stunting of spiritual maturity, that can result from elevating political devotion to the pinnacle of one’s life. It should not surprise Christians when unbelievers act like unbelievers, so I make it a point to exercise patience, extend the benefit of the doubt, and remind myself of who I would have been hadn’t it been for the grace of Christ. On the other hand, of all people, Christians have access to every resource to inform each facet of life, and hence the least excuse to plead ignorance or casual disinterest in the formation of a Biblical worldview.

May we never presume politics is neutral, and that God is sovereign over only the church, instead of governments, courts, and laws being under divine subjection to God’s standards of justice. May we live knowing that each of us will stand accountable not only for a slice of time on Sunday mornings, but all of life’s choices, including our political conduct.

So, if you identify as a believer (see what I did there :-), but have never paused to reflect if your political commitment is aligned to the will of God, or if you have cut off opportunities to grow when confronted with the convictions of a Christian who takes the Bible seriously, and willing to engage with patience and kindness, might I implore you to examine if you’re really in the faith? Perhaps, you will benefit from the questions I ask myself, knowing all too well how prone I am to wandering and presumption.

(1) Do you have a high opinion of the Word of God? Spiritual growth, like physical growth is not a mystery shrouded in an enigma. The renewal of your mind will only be accomplished by an intentional study of the Bible. We’d never believe that pulling a page at random from a textbook on quantum physics would arm us to apply its principles in general and particular spheres, yet we are satisfied to visit the Bible twice a week.

The recent unilateral cancellation of student loan debts led to thoughtful Christians weighing the morality of the issue, utilizing Biblical principles. “What does the Bible have to say” is a necessary starting point for safe reasoning powers, navigating moral morasses, and achieving mental clarity. 

Implant Scripture in your mind systematically, and you will detect perilous logic masquerading as wisdom, consistently.

"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you".

(2) If you are a composite of the privilege of birth, opportunities to grow in godliness, and gifts to do good to society in general, and the people of God, in particular, do you tremble at being called to account for your time on earth? 

“To whom much is given, much will be required”.

(3) What is the status of your secret life? Do you walk in the light of God, knowing God has complete view not only of your public deeds, but your private actions, and even the motives of your heart? Have you been slow to make amends, to seek forgiveness, to express remorse at bare minimum efforts in your relationships, while straining to cultivate your personal brand and professional monuments? 

“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked”.

(4) Do you seek the will of God and then determine to walk in it? A good check is that you shudder at the thought of being outside it. What can be worse than squandering your life, misguided by selfish ambition and craven aspirations, all the while believing you’re achieving your goals? If Christ has not transformed your desires, Christ has not transformed you at all. You would seek God’s glory, His aim in the world, and your role in it.

Sure, it’s costly to follow Christ, but not following Christ has a cost too.

 

“Your life is not your own, you have been bought with a price”.

(5) Who do you ally with? Is the political party that you’re striving to bring to power - enshrining wickedness in policy, acquitting the guilty while condemning the innocent, and rising in active opposition to the church? This does not mean that the opposing party is the default option, but when persecution comes (it will look different in the West), are you poised to be the voice of reason in your political position? 

Will you have at worst, compromised, or at best, hidden any semblance of a Christian witness, by dismissing grievous evil that God will judge, as “culture wars”? Will you have done damage to the cause of Christ and brought disgrace to His people? Would you please consider the future consequences of present compliances?

“Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain. The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the LORD..”.

(6) Do you represent Christ well? At each movement, each wave of activism, each media report, do you wait for facts to be presented by all parties? Do you harbor contempt for a viewpoint from someone with less socio-economic or educational trimmings?

How can you appeal to Christianity’s truth claims based on reason, if you don’t exhibit that attitude in examining both sides of every issue? And most of all, is your guiding principle, whether you eat or drink, or expound on economics, politics, business, or law, to advance God’s righteous standards? We all bring a 'religious' persuasion to the public sphere; the atheist, the agnostic, and the Christian. Do you make a compelling case for righteousness, so that even unbelievers work with you to preserve its wide-ranging historic, present and future value to societies?

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake”. Notice the cause for persecution — ‘righteousness’, although our knee-jerk reaction is to consider it limited to bringing the Gospel to an unreached land.

(7) Are you capable of being influenced? Are you teachable? Is your life transparent and accessible to a community of godly men and women? Do you invest in the local church? 

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers”.

(8) Do you consider your own mortality? You have one life, and even that can be demanded of you in a heartbeat. Thinking of the night Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg died still gives me chills. Media debates raged about the significance of relaying her judicial vision as she lay on her deathbed. How sobering to dwell instead on the fact that at that very moment, she stood before The Supreme Judge, without the foggiest doubt as to the reality of God, His rule over the world, or His righteous demands. 

“This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?”

Back to my musings. My disappointment at professing Christians' careless disregard for the laws of God and those articulating a lofty regard for them, was replaced with fear. 

So, note to self and appeal to you, dear reader - Don’t meander through life, satisfied with a Sunday sermonette and a Spotify worship playlist, blind to your eternal destination. Don’t evade righteous conviction. Don’t prevent the formation of redeeming relationships. Do finish well.

Photo by Braden Collum on Unsplash