3648 — Sanctification and Politics
Is it possible for a man who testifies in social meetings almost uniformly that he is sanctified and saved, to be running for office in politics? N. In the first place, there should be no boasting of one's sanctification, save in the Lord Jesus Christ, "through whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." Gal. 6:14. Our boasting is in Him. We can say again, with Paul, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." And in our Christian life, modesty would lead us also to say, as did the great apostle, "Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." We may say that the Lord Jesus Christ has forgiven our sins, and cleansed us from all unrighteousness, because we have faith in Him; but in the light of constantly increasing truth, no Christian will boast of his attainments. It is contrary to the whole tenor of Scripture. Secondly, as to politics. Politics are based on expediency, and in many cases in this present world, on almost utter lack of principle. The first thing in the Christian life is principle. He is chosen to serve God in righteousness and holiness. He must not depart from that standard, nor can he without loss. He can not, therefore, submit his standard of right, his conscience toward God, to any political party, or scheme, or plan. "No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier," is the injunction of the apostle. And again, "For our citizenship is in heaven." These are principles which should all-absorbingly possess Christians.