As a Christian (and coincidentally a writer), I frequently agonise as to how involved I should become in the political process in my country (Australia) and my State (New South Wales). Sould I join a political party and which one?
If I go to the Bible to find answers, I get a seemingly confusing array of advice about all sorts of issues that may touch the sphere of politics.
I am told in Micah 6:8 “to practice justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
Jesus told us “to give to Caesar that which is Caesar’s (taxes, obedience to the laws of the land) and to God what is God’s (Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength. Deut. 6:5)”. The latter is pretty much a full-time effort! Yet, the more we come to know Him, the easier this becomes!
As well, I am to “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33.
Jeremiah 29:7 tells me to “Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”
All apply to my Christian walk, in the area of politics I can work best with the latter. Although this was spoken to the Israelites, carried away into exile, after repeated disobedience to the stated rules and edicts which God had given to them, as Christians we are told in 1 Pet. 2:11 that we are “strangers and pilgrims” in this world, so the above applies to us as well.
“…seek the peace and prosperity of the city (State or country – my addition) and “… pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”
In other words: focus on actions which lead to peace and prosperity, for all, not just a privileged few (that’s where justice comes in, as in Micah 6:8) and pray and intercede for every area of governance of my city, state and country, and whatever other burden He places on my heart.
To come back to the original question then, “How much should I, as a Christian, become involved in the political process in my country?”, I now believe that I should join in prayer and action with other Christian believers, to achieve peace and prosperity for all. Additionally, we have been entrusted by our Lord and King, Jesus Christ, with the Great Commission to proclaim, unhindered, the message of salvation through our Lord and Saviour. That is a right which I am willing to fight for in our present, perilous political climate!
All this should keep me busy for the rest of my days, avoiding being stuck in stalemate, due to indecision and confusion!
Let me know if the above has made similar questions you may have a little clearer.