The Church in Action

I’ve been thinking quite a bit lately of what Paul says in Colossians 3:17:

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Whatever you do…

In word or deed…

Do everything…

In the name of the Lord Jesus…

Giving thanks to God the Father through him.

As a significant participant, the Church plays a crucial role in the public square. God has entrusted his disciples with various spheres of authority and responsibility, such as politics, economics, family, work, and education, for noble purposes. As missional people, we are not just bystanders but active contributors to the life of our city and the public square. Yes, we may find ourselves at odds due to sin’s corruption, but this tension is not a sign of failure. It’s a call to action, a reminder of our active responsibility to bring God’s love and justice into these spheres.

As active participants in society, the Church is responsible for being both supportive and critical of the world. This role is not easy but rather challenging and inspiring. It involves shining Christ’s light amid darkness and spreading God’s love and justice in the world. The Church accomplishes these dual roles by maintaining its distinct identity while actively engaging with the various aspects of society. It’s not a passive role but an active one, a call to be a light in the darkness and to bring God’s love and justice into the world (Matthew 5:13-16).

The missiologist, Leslie Newbigin, argues,

“The Church exists in its prime reality from Monday to Saturday, in all its members, dispersed throughout fields and homes and offices and factories, bearing the royal priesthood of Christ in every corner of his world. On the Lord’s day, it is withdrawn into itself to renew its being in the Lord Himself.”

Servants of Christ contribute to various aspects of public life, extending their reach beyond spreading the gospel to engaging in politics, economics, medicine, law, journalism, farming, and business. This reflects their dedication to nurturing God’s creation and fostering positive change. In realms like agriculture, housing, business, manufacturing, and the legal system, Christians can actively demonstrate love for their neighbors (Galatians 5:14) and work for the well-being of their communities (Jeremiah 29:7).

At times, we must stand against unjust or oppressive powers, such as systemic racism, economic exploitation, or political corruption, and be prepared to endure suffering.

How might this look? Here are a few thoughts:

Sometimes, this occurs in how we vote, striving to elect officials and support policies aligning with God’s heart and God’s ways.

Other times, it means gathering with each other and other churches to pray for Spirit-led change in our cities.

It may mean embracing the refugees and foreigners in our neighborhoods that others tend to avoid.

It may involve educating ourselves a bit more about how our resources are made and manufactured by companies that oppress and take advantage of their workers and considering other options.

As we consider the above—and there are many more practical ways—we aim to positively influence the world. This active involvement is a crucial part of our mission to bring the good news of Jesus to the world.

Christians are not passive observers in God’s mission of restoring all creation from the effects of sin. As disciples of Jesus, we play a crucial part in this mission. We must be faithful ambassadors of God’s work and actively engage in public life. Therefore, when guided by Christ’s love and led by the Holy Spirit to seek the city’s well-being, all of life—political involvement, education, business, economics, etc.—becomes a faithful expression of the Church’s missions, calling to bless all people. This is the essence of the intersection of culture, politics, and God’s mission.