Your ShelfYour Projects

Christ’s Spirit in Politics

25%

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 17, 1910

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 87, No. 7.

Read the full edition

Christ’s Spirit in Politics

A PROMINENT layman of a prominent church recently addressed a number of public men, asking their opinion as to the dominance of the ideas of Jesus Christ in political affairs. The answers showed a very imperfect appreciation of what the principles of the kingdom of Christ are and what the purpose of our Saviour was in making them known to men. It was far from his purpose merely to give men a set of rules which would make them well spoken of and prosperous in this world’s affairs. Said one of the most prominent politicians of the country in reply to the gentleman’s query: “I do not believe it is disadvantageous to any man in any calling to be a professing Christian.” To be sure, it ought not to be, but that is one of the last considerations in becoming truly a Christian. This politician believed that the spirit of Christ was permeating business and politics to a greater extent than ever before. Another public man, whose name has been in the mouth of every American during the last few weeks, said:—
I believe it is a strong advantage for a public man to-day to be a professing Christian. It gives him confidence in himself, and it gives others confidence in him.
But “confidence in himself” is not one of the most prominent characteristics of the true Christian. Paul says: “We . . . glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” Phil. 3: 3. The psalmist says it is “better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” Ps. 118: 8. The business of Jesus in this world was not to found a system that would help men to get votes and win the confidence of the people. He who would hold before the eyes of men the worldly advantages accruing to them through a profession of Christianity puts religion upon the lowest plane and injures the cause he advocates by blinding the eyes of men to the real purpose of Christ and inducing men to profess Christianity who do so for the advantage such profession may bring them.