Christian, get involved!

Every week new media headlines expose the muckiness of politics and the failings of politicians. It’s no wonder that trust in those following my chosen vocation is so low, and that many Christians are tempted to turn away from political engagement altogether.

But it remains true that God calls Christians to serve him in the mucky business of politics. God delegates authority to human rulers and Romans 13 tells us “the one in authority is God’s servant for your good”.

Some may get involved at Westminster or the devolved assemblies, others may serve at council level, or in their local communities in roles such as school governors. Fundamentally, “doing politics” comes in many forms and is all about how we organise our society, work for the common good and pursue justice for our neighbours.

And if we want to restore trust in public service, we need to encourage Christians to be involved.

William Wilberforce is a Christian political hero who had a profound impact on society. His biggest achievement was the abolition of the slave trade in Britain, and we can draw lessons from his life about how we might engage today.

Firstly, we see that God can use us where we are. In Exodus 4, Moses tells God that He has picked the wrong person to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. “Who am I to do that?” he asks. God replies with a question: “What’s in your hand?” Moses had an ordinary shepherd’s staff in his hands. A staff that God used to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.

Wilberforce had a big vision, but he was already an MP prior to his conversion to Christianity and his commission. He was already known as a powerful persuader with good political connections. God made use of his skills and position.

We might feel we don’t have a big vision or the right qualifications to tackle the injustices we see. But God is not restricted by these things. He uses us where He has placed us. The question we should ask is not “What don’t I have?” but “What’s in my hand?”. How can we serve God where we are?

Secondly, we need to persevere. The abolition of the slave trade was not an easy win for Wilberforce. It took 20 years of campaigning and multiple defeats in Parliament before the Slave Trade Act became law in 1807. The Act shattered three quarters of the British slave trade. But Wilberforce didn’t rest until total abolition was accomplished throughout the British Empire in 1833.

Wilberforce persisted for over 40 years. He could not see the end from the beginning, but he chose to be faithful and God used his faithfulness to bear fruit.

And he did not go it alone. He surrounded himself with a close network of evangelical friends in Clapham, who each brought their talents and experience to the campaign. God doesn’t want us to be isolated, but to work in community with one another. Seek out those who share your heart. I am privileged to meet regularly with a cross-party Bible study group of MPs, and we encourage one another in our Parliamentary work.

Finally, Wilberforce connected his passion for sharing the gospel with his desire to do good in his community. Today it is far easier for Christians involved in politics to keep our heads down about our faith, or for churches to focus on personal salvation whilst assuming that this world is transitory and doesn’t matter. But Wilberforce combined his concern for people’s eternal destiny with his concern about their lives in the present. The Christian belief that all humans are made in the image of God with an innate lofty dignity, should shape the way we engage with those around us.

In the messiness of today’s public square, we desperately need Christians to be salt and light. If we ask God to use us where He has placed us, if we persevere, if we seek support from like-minded friends, and if we remember that God cares about our physical as well as our spiritual needs, then we can join with Paul in Philippians 1v6 knowing that “he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion unto the day of Christ Jesus.”

*Christian MPs and political figures contribute as believers not party politicians. en does not endorse any one particular party.