“You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”
Matthew 5:13-16
Some argue today that Christians and the Church should remain apolitical, distancing themselves from the contentious world of politics. However, many of the issues central to today’s political debates—truth, gender, DEI, marriage, the sanctity of life—are not merely political matters; they are biblical issues that demand a Christian response.
Scripture calls followers of Christ to be “salt and light” in the world (Matthew 5:13-16), which means influencing culture, including politics, with the objective truth of God’s Word.
Throughout the Bible, God’s people were often required to engage and confront the horrific evil of surrounding cultures rather than shying away - pretending to be neutral. Daniel stood firm in Babylonian courts, and Esther risked her life to confront political injustice. Their faith informed their actions in the public sphere.
Issues like the sanctity of life (Psalm 139:13-16), marriage (Genesis 2:24), and gender (Genesis 1:27) are not open to cultural reinterpretation; they are rooted in God’s design. To remain silent on these matters in a world that openly opposes biblical truth is to forsake our calling to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15) as advocate for justice, life, and righteousness (Micah 6:8).
Being involved politically does not mean aligning uncritically with any party, but rather standing for biblical principles in the public square. If Christians withdraw, who will defend the defenseless, uphold the dignity of life, or champion the truth of God’s design for marriage and family? Our engagement is not about gaining power; it’s about being faithful to God’s truth in every area of life.
In a world increasingly opposed to biblical truth, Christians must be unashamed to engage in the public arena, always with grace and truth (John 1:14), and seek to glorify God in how we advocate for justice, life, and righteousness.
If we truly believe that King Jesus is The only Way, Truth, and Life, then how can we possibly abandon our calling as ambassadors and heralds of God’s love by keeping silent to be “politically correct”?
Exercise your voice. Vote as the Holy Spirit leads you, not based on feelings or the whims of culture, but the objective truth of God’s holy and perfect WORD. Withdrawal from the public square only ensures its decay. Stand up for biblical truth. Vote.
1. Jeremiah 29:7 — “But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”
• God called the Israelites in exile to be active in seeking the well-being of the cities where they lived, implying involvement in societal and community affairs. Christians are similarly called to seek the welfare of their communities, which includes engaging in public matters.
2. Proverbs 31:8-9 — “Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
• This passage urges God’s people to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and to defend justice. Political and social engagement is often necessary to defend the vulnerable and ensure justice.
3. Isaiah 1:17 — “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.”
• Isaiah’s call to seek justice and correct oppression implies that neutrality or disengagement is not an option for those who follow God’s commands. Christians are to actively pursue justice, even in areas where it intersects with political matters.
4. James 4:17 — “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”
• If a Christian recognizes that certain issues, such as the sanctity of life or the protection of marriage, are at stake, remaining silent or neutral could be seen as neglecting their responsibility to do what is right.
5. Matthew 5:13-16 — “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”
• Jesus calls His followers to be salt and light, influencing the world around them. This metaphor implies active engagement in society rather than withdrawal. Being a light in a dark world includes bringing biblical truth into public discourse.
6. Acts 5:29 — “But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men.’”
• When political or societal systems promote values contrary to God’s Word, Christians are called to stand firm in obedience to God. This often involves a refusal to be neutral, as Peter and the apostles demonstrated.
These passages, among others, show that Christians are not called to disengage from political or societal issues but to engage them through the lens of biblical truth. Neutrality, especially on matters of justice and righteousness, is not an option when God’s principles are at stake.
“Ye are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth GOOD FOR NOTHING, but to be cast out and to be trodden under foot of men.”
Matthew 5:13
Blessings and love,
-Kevin Kelley
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