Of First Importance
This fall I’m looking at how we are anchored in Christ, and how that helps us in our heightened political situation. If we properly understand that Christ is central to Scripture and all of history, it will help us navigate the many difficult political and social situations of today. I believe that many of the more divisive political arguments among Christians flare up because Christ is not central in our thoughts.
To be anchored in Christ means nothing we do can be done or thought apart from him. Consider 1 Corinthians 15:3-5, where Paul writes,
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve.
This verse provides a helpful corrective to our always-on news cycles, where everything that trends on Twitter claims to be of ‘first importance.’ This reminds us that what was of first importance in the first century has remained of first importance every year since: Christ died for our sins and was raised on the third day.
Today I see Christians slowly replacing what is truly of first importance with other things. With all the fear over what this election will bring, we forget that Christ has already been raised as king over creation. When political candidates propose things we think will be bad for our country, we forget that in Christ we have an untouchable inheritance in heaven. When we are troubled over the future of our nation, we forget that, because of Christ, we are exiles and sojourners in this land and citizens of a better one.
When Paul says that he passed on what was of first importance, it means there are other relevant and true things that are less weighty. We must realize that when we make all doctrines equally significant, none of them are significant. I believe in the importance of what C.S. Lewis called Mere Christianity, those teachings that have held steady throughout history and across denominations. This is one of the reasons we often recite the historic creeds in our worship service.
In our discussions, we need to be careful of putting political policies or ideas in that position of first importance. Even if we have an airtight case for why a particular policy is biblical, we must acknowledge that it didn’t make Paul’s list. We need to work hard to keep lesser things from breaking Christian relationships. Further, we need to have the humility to realize that because many political views are not of first importance, Scripture isn’t as clear on them as we might think; it’s easy for us to be wrong. In this turbulent season, let’s strive to be united with the things that Scripture says are of first importance, and let’s seek to learn from each other in everything else.
I realize this doesn’t help us answer questions about tax or border policy, but it does give us perspective. It doesn’t even mean those things are not important; the fate and health of our country have a significant impact on our lives and even more of one on the lives of our children and grandchildren. But we must remember they are not the most important things. Christ’s kingdom will not be hindered whether this country lasts another 100 years or not.
If we are anchored in Christ, the turbulence of our political situation becomes less threatening. All people look for something to anchor their life in; if it’s not in Christ, then country or tribe will be the likely alternative. When these things are under attack and shifting beneath your feet, it’s no surprise when anger and vitriol come pouring out. Do you find yourself getting unduly angry over the latest political news? Do you feel your anxiety rising the closer we get to November? Do potential election outcomes outweigh your comfort in knowing Christ is currently on his throne? If so, then perhaps your anchor has slowly drifted away from Christ and towards other things.
I’m not saying that our country doesn’t matter, or even that it’s wrong to love your country, whether that’s the US or somewhere else. But that can’t be your first love. Only Christ can hold that position–he must be of first importance.
In Christ,
Pastor Jon