No government will save us

The passion surrounding this election is breathtaking. Many people are pinning some huge hopes on “their” candidate. Fervently, they believe if the results go their way, that all of their troubles will be solved.

One woman was shown in a television interview praying the election would go a certain way because she is hoping that someone else would pay her mortgage and fuel for her car. Her rescue – her faith – was in government.

Admittedly, we’re not a fan of an elected official fixing anyone’s life issues. In fact, we see big government as a direct result of a little church. You see, for centuries it was the church cared for the poor, the needy and the disenfranchised of this world, following the Christ’s admonition to help “the least of these.”

But something happened along the way. The government stepped in and offered to take on that role. They promised they could do it better. And the church responded by washing our hands of the undesirables. Our tithe money was diverted to taxes and behold – we have created the monster. We quit caring.

Now, our churches focus on staff and buildings, programs and “ministries” – after all, why worry about the poor? They’ve got someone else to care for them.

Red Letter Believers, those who actually live out the teachings of Christ, don’t see government as the solution. Some have actually twisted Christ’s teachings on the poor to promulgate big increases in social spending. It comes down to a body of believers, living in community, effecting change in the world.

Jesus never called on the Roman government to feed the poor. His call was for those who will drink of the “water that will turn to a spring welling up to eternal life.”

That’s the city on a hill we ache for.

That’s our rock. That’s our salvation. That’s our hope.

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