By Caleb Smith

Preparing to live in a more hostile world with trust and joy. Maybe that’s how Christians, of whatever political stripe, should view the current landscape. The Bible has called us to live as aliens in this world (I Pet. 1:1), not attached to possessions or respect from people. Perhaps now more than ever we need to take this calling as strangers in the world seriously, still diligently pursuing our civic duty, but doing so in a spirit that looks heavenward and trusts the Lord, even if we ourselves face some hardships.

The arena of politics has taken on an especially bitter, hostile, and fearful mentality lately. Many Christians see a loss of many commonly shared societal morals and see a growing tide of institutional secularism and fear that Christians are losing cultural and political influence and that they may begin losing various rights soon. It’s worth remembering that while many Christians have, in the past decades, enjoyed a certain amount of influence and have been comfortably situated in society’s mainstream, other Christians have been shut out of civic and cultural participation through no fault of their own and not because of religion. These different histories may cause Christians to react with different levels of anxiety about contemporary political changes.

Still, for those Christians who have historically enjoyed influence in America, and who now look at the future and wonder what might happen to some of their rights, it’s worth remembering that, biblically speaking, it is not usual for Christians to be comfortable, protected, and even powerful in the world. Jesus told us that all people would hate us because of him (Matt. 10:22), and we learn that anyone who wants to live for God will be persecuted (II Tim. 3:12). The Lord called not those who were great, not those who were respected, but those who were foolish and despised (I Cor. 1:26-31). As believers, we are more at home with God when we are aliens in this world.

The Christians of the New Testament were not a powerful, mainstream group. They were a unique people, bound together by their common belief in Jesus and willingness to share in his sufferings, not by their race, national origin, or positions in life. Christians were not protected from the trials of the world and its injustices. These injustices were heaped on them with special fury because of their faith, yet they were full of joy because they served a God who was so much greater than the powers of their day. They were having their possessions confiscated, yet they rejoiced, because they were suffering for Christ and knew that they had better treasures awaiting them, which no earthly authority could take away (Heb. 10:32-34). What if that was what we remembered any time we were anxious about government? We serve a good God and are bound to all fellow believers by the blood of the Lamb who died for the forgiveness of our sins, and we should rejoice that our names are written in the book of life.

Of course, as long as we do have this political freedom, Christians should use it. The hope that we have in heaven should never make us lazy about our earthly duties, and we should never cease striving to alleviate the suffering of others and bring about a more just world. God ordained the government to punish those who do evil and to reward those who do good (Rom. 13:1-2). We are reminded to pray for all those in authority that we may live peaceable and quiet lives in Christ Jesus (I Tim. 2:1-2). And Christians are to care for the widow, the orphan, and the vulnerable (James 1:27). Christians do, and probably always will, disagree about the best ways that a just and good government should be run. But let us never forget that we are bound by bonds stronger than any political allegiances, and that a world which may seem increasingly hostile cannot do anything to us that Jesus did not warn us about.

Let’s be thankful for all the Lord has given us, work hard for the good of our country, but know that no matter whatever comes we are honored to serve the cause of Christ. We should demonstrate that trust by not being attached to prestige, to possessions, to power, and by living such good lives that others may see our good deeds and praise our Father in heaven.

Caleb Smith is studying law in New York City.