Faith and Politics: Living Out Spiritual Love in Public Life
Pastor Michael Wear
September 9, 2024
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Main Topics Discussed
Introduction
Personal Story: Briefly share a personal story to give context for the sermon and create a connection with the audience.
Grew up in Buffalo, New York, in an Italian Catholic family.
Story of early indifference and antagonism toward faith, eventually leading to a powerful conversion experience.
Key Message: Jesus cares about the whole of our lives, not just what we have to offer.
Jesus’ Concern for the Whole of Our Lives
Jesus’ Care for Transformation: He cares about the kind of people we are and the kind of people we are becoming, not just what we do.
Life is about who we are becoming.
Quote: "I came so that you might have eternal life, not just ideas about eternity."
Personal Vocational Journey: From considering seminary to finding faithfulness in public life and politics.
The question: How do I give my whole life to the Lord, including public and civic engagement?
Thesis: Christians think about politics best when we don’t think about politics first.
Acts 8: Two Vignettes of Transformation and Faith
Simon the Magician:
Context: Simon practiced magic and amazed people, seeking power and influence.
Simon's Failure: He wanted the power of the kingdom of God without becoming the kind of person fit for the kingdom.
Sought transaction, not transformation.
Tried to buy the Holy Spirit’s power with money—an attempt at bypassing personal commitment.
Peter’s Rebuke: Simon’s heart was not right before God; he was called to repent for his intent, not just his actions.
The Ethiopian Eunuch:
Context: A man of high status seeking understanding of Scripture.
Eunuch’s Transformation: He pursued the substance of faith through understanding and personal commitment.
Asked for guidance from Philip and embraced the message of Jesus.
Immediate action: Asked for baptism as a sign of his transformation.
Outcome: The eunuch left filled with joy, having undergone true transformation.
Comparison of Simon and the Eunuch:
Simon sought power through external means, while the eunuch sought inner transformation through faith and understanding.
Key Point: Vision, intention, and means are essential to spiritual formation.
Spiritual Formation and Public Life
The Danger of Transactional Approaches in Politics:
Society often seeks systemic change without addressing personal transformation.
Quote from C.S. Lewis: "A Christian society is not going to arrive until most of us really want it… and we are not going to want it until we become fully Christian."
TS Eliot’s Critique: The folly of seeking a perfect system without addressing the need for good people.
Dallas Willard’s Insight: Many systems will work if we are genuinely good.
We are driven from social matters to religious matters because transformation starts with the heart.
The Christian’s Role in Politics: Loving Our Neighbor
Political Engagement as an Act of Love:
Quote: "To love our neighbor is to will their good."
Politics is one essential forum where Christians can love their neighbors, but it’s not the most important or only one.
Key Point: Christians care about politics because political decisions affect human dignity and justice.
Avoiding Two Common Pitfalls:
Christianity is either useless in politics or something to be used for political gain.
Solution: Approach politics not for personal affirmation but to affirm human dignity and advance justice.
Spiritual Love vs. Human Love in Politics
Bonhoeffer on Human vs. Spiritual Love:
Human Love: Seeks satisfaction in community and falls short when reciprocation is absent, leading to hatred and contempt.
Spiritual Love: Comes from Christ, and Christ stands between the lover and the one being loved.
Quote: "I never think simply of what I am going to do with you, to you, or for you. I think of what we, Jesus and I, are going to do with you."
Applying Spiritual Love in Politics:
Challenge: In a polarized political climate, human love seeks domination, while spiritual love sees people through Christ’s eyes.
Key Question: Are we seeing others as Christ sees them, even in political engagement?
Living in the Kingdom of God
The Kingdom is Present: God stands between us and our fellow citizens, calling us to see them as He sees them.
The kingdom is more than a promise of life after death; it is here and now, shaping how we love and serve others.
No Guarantor of Political Success: Living in the kingdom is not about winning political battles but about embodying Christ’s love in all areas of life.
Closing: A Call to Transformation
Application for Politics: Imagine if Christians entered politics seeing Jesus between them and their fellow citizens.
Focus on spiritual love, not coercion or domination.
Politics becomes an opportunity to live out the love of Christ.
Final Thought: Live in the kingdom of God, seeing the world and others as Christ does. Let this love transform how we engage in public and political life.
Biblical References
Acts 8:5-24 (Simon the Sorcerer and the Ethiopian Eunuch)
This passage tells the story of Philip preaching in Samaria, the encounter with Simon the Sorcerer who tries to buy the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch.
Key themes: Transformation through faith, the difference between transactional faith and true spiritual formation.
John 10:10
“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
Referenced when discussing Jesus’ intention to give us eternal life, not just ideas about eternity, but a transformed life in the present.
Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
A passage that reflects God’s closeness and care for those struggling, aligning with the message of spiritual love and transformation.
Matthew 22:37-39
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Implied in the sermon’s emphasis on love—both spiritual love from Christ and our love for others through transformation.
1 John 4:7-8
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
Referenced when discussing the difference between human love, which seeks its own desire, and spiritual love, which is centered on Christ and others.
These verses support the themes of transformation, spiritual love, and how true Christian engagement, especially in politics, must be rooted in Christ’s love.
Reflection Questions
How does the idea that Jesus cares about the whole of our lives, not just what we do or offer, challenge the way you approach your personal faith journey?
Reflect on whether you’ve focused more on outward actions or on inner transformation in your walk with Christ.
Simon the Magician sought external power without inner transformation, while the Ethiopian eunuch pursued understanding and faith. In what areas of your life might you be seeking "transaction" rather than true transformation?
Consider where you might be tempted to focus on quick results or external rewards without the deep work of heart change.
In a polarized political climate, how can you practice seeing others through Christ’s eyes rather than through the lens of human love, which seeks domination or control?
Think about how spiritual love can influence your political engagement or interactions with people who hold different views.
C.S. Lewis suggests that a Christian society requires people who truly desire it. In what ways can you contribute to the transformation of your community, starting with your own heart and actions?
Reflect on how your personal spiritual formation can impact your role in creating change, both locally and globally.
If living in the kingdom of God is about embodying Christ’s love rather than winning battles, how might this perspective change the way you engage with others in public life and politics?
Consider how focusing on love and justice can guide your political involvement and interactions with others, especially those with differing opinions.
These questions are designed to prompt reflection on personal transformation, spiritual love, and how faith shapes engagement in public life and politics.
Daily Activities
Reflection and Journaling on Personal Transformation
Activity: Spend 15 minutes reflecting on your own faith journey. Write about the moments when Jesus has transformed your heart and life. Identify areas where you might be seeking "transaction" rather than true transformation.
Application: This reflection will help you identify where Jesus is calling you to deeper change, ensuring that your faith goes beyond outward actions and reaches your heart.
Practice Spiritual Love in a Difficult Conversation
Activity: Identify someone with whom you may have political or personal disagreements. Reach out to them and engage in a kind, non-confrontational conversation, focusing on listening and understanding their perspective.
Application: Apply Bonhoeffer’s idea of spiritual love—seeing others through Christ’s eyes and valuing them as people loved by God, not through a lens of human love that seeks to win or dominate.
Pray for Political Leaders and Neighbors
Activity: Dedicate time to pray for local, national, and global political leaders, as well as your immediate neighbors. Pray that they make decisions that reflect justice, love, and human dignity.
Application: This prayer will shift your perspective on politics, moving from frustration or division to compassion and a desire for the well-being of others, as the sermon encourages.
Acts of Love for Neighbors
Activity: Perform a simple act of love for a neighbor or someone in your community. It could be offering help, spending time with someone lonely, or providing support to a person in need.
Application: Emulate Christ’s command to love your neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39), and see your everyday interactions as opportunities to embody spiritual love.
Examine Your Political and Civic Engagement
Activity: Reflect on your political and civic actions. Are they aligned with your Christian values of love, justice, and human dignity? Write down one practical way you can engage politically without seeking personal affirmation, but to advance the common good.
Application: This will help you avoid transactional approaches to politics, ensuring your involvement is rooted in Christ's love and not just political gain or validation.
