From Exiles to Ambassadors

Why Christians Must Engage in Politics

Many Christians argue we shouldn't be involved in politics because we're called to be "exiles" on earth.

This produces a "loser" attitude of passivity and retreat from the public square. They say, "our citizenship is in heaven," so we should bow out of politics.

Not so fast.

The OT concept of "exile" doesn't directly apply to the New Covenant era without careful theological reflection.

Old Covenant vs New Covenant Realities

In the OT, exile meant divine judgment for breaking covenant and dispersion from the homeland. God's people broke covenant, and God punished them with exile.

Christ's death and resurrection ended the exile of God's people by ushering in a New Covenant. In Christ, we are not under judgment. He suffered it for us (Rom 3:25, 5:8), giving us the right to become God's children (John 1:12).

Our homeland is not Israel; Christ secured for us a heavenly citizenship (Phil 3:20). The Old Covenant has ended, with Jerusalem no longer the focal point.

So we are not "exiles" like in the OT but "strangers" and "pilgrims" sojourning on earth, away from our heavenly home.

Most Bible translations use "pilgrims," "strangers," or "sojourners" for NT Christians. The ESV is confusing because it uses "exile" whereas older translations don't.

We must be theologically precise. The word "exile" carries doctrinal baggage that doesn't apply today.

The "exile motif" is common in loser theology, implying Christians live under the same covenantal conditions as OT exiles in Babylon (Jer 29:7). This ignores Christ's work. We're not under judgment as they were.

Called to be Ambassadors for Christ

As God's ambassadors (2 Cor 5:20), we represent His eternal kingdom on earth. This "exile motif" suggests subservience to hostile rulers, but Scripture calls us to assert Christ's supremacy over all life.

Some pietistic Christians say, "you can't legislate morality." This is foolish. All laws are moral. Morality is the only thing you can legislate.

Thus, importing the concept "exile" into our NT context without theological reflection leads Christians to believe we're supposed to be perpetually under the thumb of tyrants.

Christians are ambassadors for Jesus, asserting his supremacy and Lordship in every area.

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Please Pray for the King’s Domain Conference Today

After a year’s worth of planning, the King’s Domain Conference has finally arrived. We’re excited about it! Would you join us in praying for the conference over the next couple of days?

Here’s a few things you can pray for specifically:

(1) Pray that God would use the conference to equip his people with practical steps to help us persevere in the faith for the next 20 years.

(2) We’ve received word that some far-left activists are planning to show up and protest. Pray that God will expose their wickeness and they’ll repent and turn to Jesus.

(3) Pray that God would give us favor in the neighborhood, despite the efforts of protestors.

(4) Pray for the speakers to all have powerful and spirit-filled words to say.

(5) Pray for all the details to come together and the attendees to be blessed and encouraged.

(6) Pray for the singles mixer/family event to be a blessing to all who come, and for God honoring relationships to result.

(7) Pray for great new friendships to be forged between like-minded believers from around the country.

(8) Pray for God's name to be glorified and for the people of Christ the King Church to be blessed for their efforts to put this on.

Thank you! I’ll send pictures and a report next week.