Pastoral Counseling on Electoral Politics:
How to Engage in Indian Electoral Politics without Losing your Soul
~ By Pastor Th. Mangthianlal (posted with his permission-Adm.)
We are fast approaching to the D-day of the Tenth Manipur Legislative Assembly election. Andrew Jackson commenting on the recent American Presidential election observed, “When the political temperature rises, so does name-calling, character assassination, and confrontation. Even committed Christ-followers, unfortunately, get caught up in the partisan political whirlwind of the moment and join in the fight. We as Christians should seriously engage in the ongoing debate in the political public square, but in doing so we must demonstrate a citizenship seasoned by God’s wisdom and love.” It seems to be so true amongst us too if we replay past elections. So, we can use that as a precautionary thought and walk in tip-toe.
Jackson further commented that, “Jesus questioned in Mark 8:36, ‘What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?”’ (NIV). “Over the years, I have watched many Christians zealously become active in partisan politics and actually “lose their souls; that is, they lose their public, uniquely Christian witness, act contrary to the fruit of the Holy Spirit, and become divisive agents within the church.” I have prepared some writings with related to Christian participation in politics. But I have received email today from a Christian Journal, which instead of me speaking let Adrew Jackson’s writing do the talking in our hearts and lives as I fully agree to his Biblical conviction on this matter and moreover some of his points goes along with mine. Below is what he has written as a Biblical Guideline entitled, “How to Engage in Politics without Losing your Soul.”
Below are ten biblical guidelines to assist Christians to engage in the upcoming election without “losing their souls.”
1. Don’t equate the biblical kingdom of God with any human political party or nation. We must maintain the distinctiveness between God’s kingdom and the kingdoms of this world. We must never fuse the two (John 18:36; Matt. 6:33).
2. Don’t elevate a politician to messianic status. People often falsely think a politician can single-handedly produce supernatural social results. We have one Lord, and we must resist any attempt to exalt politicians to unrealistic heights (Matt. 7:15; 1 Pet. 3:15).
3. Don’t just vote, but pray for the leaders of all political parties. Christians can be tempted to bless the politician of their choice, and curse his or her opponent, but remember, we must pray even for our enemies (1 Tim. 2:1–2; Matt. 5:44).
4. Don’t forget that your ultimate security is in the unshakeable kingdom of God. Many Christians often elevate the outcome of elections to an apocalyptic status. If a particular candidate does not win, we begin to think or act as if the world will end. In so doing, however, we express an unbelief in the active sovereignty of God over human affairs (Heb. 12:26–29).
5. Don’t bring the polarization of partisan politics into the family of God. Every Christian has freedom of conscience before God, and we must guard against allowing political perspectives to divide the church (Rom. 16:17; 1 Cor. 1:11–12).
6. Don’t demonize anyone. Every person has been created in the image of God, and Christians must not demonize or dehumanize other people, whether we agree with them politically or not (Col. 3:8; James 4:12).
7. Don’t engage in angry, hostile confrontation. Present your political convictions through civil debate and rational dialogue instead. Confrontational arguments demonstrate an ugly pride that demeans Jesus Christ (James 1:19–20; 2 Tim. 2:14).
8. Don’t become so intertwined with one political party that you forfeit your independence. When you do, you lose your right to be heard and to speak and clarify biblical truth to all politicians and political parties (1 Tim. 3:15; Rom. 3:4).
9. Don’t allow yourself to support attempts to divide races, male and female, rich and poor, or young and old. Partisan politics often divides society into voting blocks, and separates society instead of uniting it. Christians should function as peacemakers and reconcilers in the public square and should resist every temptation to join the game of dividing people for political gain (Matt. 5:9; 2 Cor. 5:18–19).
10. Don’t simply curse the darkness, but constructively engage it. The cultural and missional mandate of kingdom Christians is not to curse the darkness in our world, but to act as illuminating light and preserving salt. We must share the light of God’s truth and work to maintain the common welfare of our nation by overcoming evil through doing good (Matt. 5:13–16).
We all are aware that the outcome of the upcoming Tenth Manipur State Legislative Assembly election could have significant, and even negative, consequences for people’s lives, but we don’t need to worry. In the larger scheme of history, no matter who becomes our next MLAs, Ministers, Cabinet Ministers and Chief Minister, God is still King, and He is still in control! Dear folks and Churches, have you sincerely put it into God’s Almighty hand for the upcoming election? If not, as you read this please do pray and pray and pray. May in the future Eleventh Manipur State Legislative Assembly let the Church, Civil Organizations, NGOs and Philanthropic institutions be proactive and influential that free and fair it will be. May our new leaders ‘to-be-elected’ know that they are mere humans and must dispense their duties and responsibilities in the knowledge, love and fear of God and His creation! Let our new/old leaders-to-be know that if we play in politics as peoples’ representatives in Manipur Assembly, God will play with our lives (remember Nebuchadnezzar). But if we perform our earthly duties well as public and God’s servants, God will reward us beautifully. We had had enough. May we cooperate with whoever will lead the upcoming government so that something really beautiful and good will start happening in the ground reality in our region. We all deserve rest, peace, undisturbed inclusive development, security and serenity.
Whether the time is good or evil, whether the results favors justice or injustice - one thing is sure – God sits on His majestic throne, high and lofty, and He watch and rules over all human affairs (Isaiah 6:1) – even the political affairs of Manipur. God is truly sovereign. Therefore, folks, let us not lose our souls while engaging in politics for the Son of God has bought us with a price – the price of His very own life. May we all fare well as salt and light in this election.
[The author who relay parts of this article is the President & CEO of Glocal Volunteers. He can be consulted on how people of God and every Indian citizens must engage in public square and in politics in a healthy way that promotes peace, security and development. He can be reach at glocalvolunteersatgmaildotcom].
