Jesus and Politics

So many people think it is their mission to support some political candidate or cause.
They no doubt have good intentions, but we don't see in the Bible any mandate for us to bring about change through the political process.


Jesus said,

 My kingdom is not of this world
--John 18:36

But instead,

 I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
--Matt 16:18

Also,

When Jesus ...perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed ... alone.
--John 6:15

Instead, he told his disciples

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations ... to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.
--Matt 28:19-20

You may or may not have a calling to be part of the political process, but you always have a mandate to help build the church.

If you try to help out people through the state, you are actually competing with the Church and helping to make it irrelevant.
The church can do things more efficiently than the state because it can be directed by pastors and elders and use people's spare time and resources, rather than a rigid process that relies on redistributing wealth.  Also there is no love in the state, and it does not bring people to God.

In fact, it may be a sign of rebellion against God to be overly focused on politics.  You are even though you appear to want to help people, you are doing it in a way that leaves God out.