Applied Belief: Campaigning for God

"Knock knock. Who's there? Probably not. Probably not who? Probably not a Christian."

Maybe not funny but I’ve never been good a jokes. What is truly not funny is the lack of engagement with our community on behalf of Christians. Most people that go knocking on your doors now a days are people of other religions, sales people, trick-or-treaters, and in this past month or so, politicians.

Speaking of politics, did you vote Tuesday? I did and as I walked up to the polling location I was greeted by the very politician who had knocked on my door about a week before, campaigning and asking for my vote. This person continued to campaign and engage me right up to registration desk. I began to think in that moment “wow this person really wants my vote.” I had received a personal letter earlier in the year, a visit to my door, an actual call to my cell phone and an escort to the booth. That is truly a grass roots political effort if I ever saw one.

Sadly, these politicians are following much more of Jesus’ example then Christians themselves. When we look at Jesus and the disciples they did not sit around waiting for people to come to them, they instead went out to meet the people where they were. In other words, they went city by city knocking on doors, meeting people, campaigning for God.

In the Bible we find many examples where Jesus shows the importance of a grass roots effort to spread the Gospel. In the Gospel of Luke 9:1-2, is says “When Jesus had called the Twelve together...he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God.”

Later on, as the group of followers grows, the Bible says “the Lord appointed 72 others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go!’” (Luke 10:1-2).

You see Christians have made a terrible mistake. They have taken people for granted believing that the majority of America is still “Christian” and that their churches by and large are “visible.” The thought is that people will go to a church when they feel like going if not they never will. Unfortunately, some political parties have done that in places where the majority of an electorate typically votes one way. No political party should take anyone for granted just like no Christian or church should operate from a “they will come if they want” perspective.

In a world where social media and web based promotion is growing every day there still is a need for people to “go” and meet people where they are. I can guarantee you that if someone was running for president and they never took the opportunity to go to someone’s door and talk to them, to campaigning in that way, they would not win the presidency. Why? Because the door to door approach shows that you really do care in the same way that a phone call always trumps a text message, or a greeting card feels different than a e-card.

Christians must go and not wait. There are risks of rejection just like any politician knows. Not every knock knock will receive a warm welcome. Jesus in sending out his disciples and followers encouraged and warned them “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.” (Luke 10:5-6, 16).

When Jesus ascended into heaven, the disciples were transfixed with their eyes to sky anticipating Jesus’ return. Two angels appeared and reminded them “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)

Jesus left some very clear instructions that we have to follow, “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20a)

Therefore, we must go. This is not a suggestion it is a command. Not to “wait” for disciples but to go and make disciples. So go now and campaign for God remembering Jesus’ promise “surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20b)

 

  • The opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the ownership or management of Chadds Ford Live. We welcome opposing viewpoints. Readers may comment in the comments section or they may submit a Letter to the Editor to: editor@chaddsfordlive.com

About Rev. Marcos O. Almonte

Rev. Marcos O. Almonte is senior pastor at Brandywine Baptist Church, the oldest Baptist Church west of Philadelphia. Pastor Marcos is a graduate of Palmer Theological Seminary with more than 10 years working with families with an expertise in theology, trauma and addictions. Pastor Marcos and his wife Mary have three children, Carmen, Joseph, and Lincoln.

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (6 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Loading...

Comments

comments

Leave a Reply