Let us contend for our faith with grace and love

Undoubtedly, the social and political influence of the Church throughout history, insofar as it has adhered to the values of the word of God, has been benevolent and humanizing. Just look at the difference between countries that have historically developed under the influence of Christianity, and those that have evolved under the tutelage of other religious systems. But on many occasions, the Church has managed very bad authority. He has brought shame and scandal to the name of Jesus Christ when he has used his power to oppress others and illegitimately enrich himself.

For all these reasons, we must proceed with great sobriety and caution when we advocate for greater integration between Church and government, or when we become frustrated at the resistance of so many towards the idea of a Christian government in our countries. To some extent, the blame for that suspicious attitude toward the Church on the part of so many modern people falls at the feet of the Church itself, for its inconsistent and sinful behavior through the centuries when it has wielded political power.

Having said this, however, we have to recognize that God wants nations and other human institutions to reflect the values of his Kingdom; that even before Christ comes, Christians must strive to hold our societies to the moral and spiritual values of the gospel. We cannot take our talent, like the unfaithful servant in the parable, and hide it in a handkerchief for fear of not investing it correctly. Fear of failure should never prevent us from obeying Jesus' command to negotiate until he comes (Lk 19:13). Christians have to obey the call to get involved in politics, in the social and cultural sphere. We must use these positions of influence, when we obtain them, to facilitate the spread of the gospel and its moral and spiritual values.

The Bible is full of examples of men and women who used positions of political influence to advance the interests and values of the Kingdom of God. There we have Joseph, Daniel, Esther, Nehemiah, whom God used greatly to establish his historical purposes. Throughout history, Christians like Father Las Casas, Abraham Lincoln, William Wilberforce, and Abraham Kuyper drew strength and enlightenment from their Christian faith to carry out important reforms within society. Biblical figures such as Joseph, David, Daniel, and Jehoshaphat used political power from a posture centered on God and His Word, and they moved with integrity and competence in the performance of their public responsibilities.

When we hold public office, we must tie ourselves fiercely to the mast of prayer and the word of God in order to gain the wisdom necessary to handle power according to gospel values. Like Solomon, we have to ask the Lord, "Give therefore to your servant an understanding heart to judge your people, and to discern between good and bad" (I King 3: 9). We have to genuinely project humility and generosity to the world. But we cannot be hesitant or shy when God gives us the opportunity to legislate on his behalf.

We can't get into a corner and stop fighting for our faith just because we've made mistakes in the past! The important thing is to learn from those mistakes, and to move with wisdom and humility. We must strive like never before so that our social influence reflects the goodness, grace, justice and truth of Jesus Christ. We must proceed with honesty and transparency when we enter the uncertain and treacherous terrain of politics and cultural transformation. But we also have to step in with confidence and determination, knowing that we are moving in the power and authority of Jesus Christ. We handle the unique and total truth of God, which the nations need like never before.