It’s the mark of the modern church, that more and more Christians see political activism as the way to sort out society. Daily, I receive emails asking me to petition government about some or other misdemeanour, or a conspiracy about how this election was lost, or that politician is unjust. More recently, I have even been asked to get involved in politics so that I can change our society back to the way it once was, a Christian society.

Here’s a question though, if God thought that was the way of real societal transformation, wouldn’t that have been the approach of his son whilst here on earth, current and everlasting King of all nations? Apparently he didn’t. I am alarmed that we even think that was ever part of the agenda. Paul certainly didn’t. In the middle of a trial, in which he had captivated the attention of a king, a Roman governor, Jewish rulers and other parliamentary elites, he didn’t take the opportunity we might think appropriate today. He didn’t ask for leniency in the way believers were treated, nor ask for greater respect for certain traditions or customs, nor for improved conditions for those of The Way. Instead, without any hesitation, Paul told all of them that unless they turned and repented, they would face the eternal judgement of the one who sits on the throne of all nations, King Jesus. It was the least popular choice.

I have witnessed many, many Christians go down this route of an increasing belief that the way to change society, is to affect the government of the day. Yet it is noticeable that wherever the Gospel is moving in power, the prayers of believers are usually far from, ‘dear God, please change our government.’ Governments can be enormously problematic in thwarting the Gospel, yet God tells us clearly throughout Scripture that it is his job to ‘put kings on the throne and remove them’ to serve his purposes.

Instead, Jesus called us to another path, making disciples of all nations, something that involves us identifying to those close to us and around us that we relate with the highly unpopular King Jesus. The consequences are likely severe, which is why we don’t engage. If we did take this calling seriously, then persecution would undoubtedly come fast, and a movement would no doubt start. It is through this movement, a movement of God, that society is changed.

Consider this, just for a moment; if God puts Kings in their rightful place, then what if our unpopular leader that we are working so fervently to remove, is there precisely because God has put them there to fulfil his purposes, whoever they may be? Are we really going to invest our entire lives in going against what Jesus has ordained, rather than going about ‘our Father’s business’ as he commanded us?