This past week the streets of Jackson have been decorated with protesters holding graphic images of aborted babies and signs ascribing murder to a local doctor who performs abortions.

Upon initial reaction, it is easy to dismiss the actions of the protesters as unloving and militant. But, as Christians, we need to be careful. While Cornerstone Church does not endorse this particular method of action, we heartily endorse the cause. Make no mistake about it: abortion is the taking of a helpless life, cloaked in “choice,” “rights,” and medical practice. However, cleansed language cannot excuse these atrocities.

Simultaneously, if Christians dismiss the method of this right cause, we must be appropriately active in order to avoid hypocrisy. Inaction, for those who profess Christ as Lord, is inappropriate. But what kind of action is appropriate?

I have found these five biblical principles helpful in thinking through the Christian’s responsibility in political activism (adapted from “Right Thinking in a World Gone Wrong,” by John MacArthur and the leadership team at Grace Community Church, pp. 121-130):

1. The Christian’s commission is the gospel. The Great Commission is not a call to effect policy change, but a command to “go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I [Jesus Christ] commanded you” (Matt 28:18-20). That is the church’s mandate. When other priorities and pursuits crowd out the Great Commission, both the message and the mission get confused. Heart change happens through faith in the Person and finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. That is a Christian’s primary cause.
2. The Christian’s confidence is in God. We can trust God regarding both national and foreign affairs. No matter who is in the White House, the Congress, or the courtroom, God is on the throne. God is sovereign over all affairs in the world (Ps 115:3), including government and military powers (Rom 13:2). God’s sovereignty does not excuse human sinfulness or irresponsibility. But it should give Christians great reason to hope when they see the society growing more and more sinful. God has already revealed how things will end, including that society will go from bad to worse (2 Tim 3:1-5). No society will ever be truly made right until Christ returns and sets up his kingdom (Rev 21). Sovereignty is not a permission for inaction, but it is a mandate to quietly trust in God.
3. The Christian’s charge is to submit. Jesus came into a world worse than our current American society; where slavery abounded, dictators dominated, heavy taxes the norm, and God’s people regularly persecuted. How did he respond? “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s” (Matt 22:21). He did not set up any kind of political administration, nor did he organize public protests against Rome. His work was not focused on those things, but instead was ever aimed at the hearts of individual sinners who were in desperate need of God’s grace (Mark 10:42-45). Jesus did not lead civil rights demonstrations. Rather, he preached the good news of forgiveness and salvation. He did not launch a new political order, but a spiritual one. The sum of our civil duty, as Christians, is to submit and pay taxes (Rom 13:1, 7). Beyond that, we should focus on those things that are of eternal value.
4. The Christian’s commitment is to pray. Paul prayed for the very king who would eventually authorize his execution (1 Tim 2:1-2). He instructed Timothy, and the church, to do the same. When our leaders do something that violates God’s word, our first response is to pray. We pray for the souls of those in government and civil service, that by God’s grace they might be saved through faith in Christ.
5. The Christian’s citizenship is in heaven. Believers must not forget that though we currently dwell in this country, our true citizenship is in heaven (Phil 3:20-21). Our identity, priorities, and mission are not defined by our citizenship on earth, but in heaven, where our Savior awaits. We will be most effective on earth when we are most mindful of heaven.

Inaction with respect abortion is inappropriate and hypocrisy for those claiming the great name of Jesus Christ. However, our actions should be filtered through those five principles in order to keep with the big picture of God’s mission for his people.