The Rock of Salvation: Faith vs. Politics
“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” (Matt.16:18)
The intersection of faith and politics has always been a precarious realm. This union is fraught with risks. These risks can dilute the life-changing power of the Gospel. Reverend Billy Graham once remarked, “The hard right has no interest in religion except to manipulate it.” These words ring truer than ever in a world where political alliances increasingly overshadow spiritual commitments. These alliances threaten to replace the eternal with the temporal.
Christianity and Politics: A Dangerous Intersection
The church’s mission is to proclaim the full Gospel. This Gospel calls for righteousness in our daily lives. It is rooted in salvation found solely in Christ. Political ideologies sometimes infiltrate the pulpit. When this happens, the faith community becomes entangled in partisan agendas. As a result, the Gospel message risks being compromised. As Billy Graham warned, evangelists can’t afford to be closely identified with any particular party or person. “We have to stand in the middle,” he said, “in order to preach to all people, right and left.”
But have we heeded this wisdom? Too often, the church has abandoned the Rock of Salvation. It does so for a fleeting seat at the political table. In doing this, it forgets the warning of Deuteronomy 32:15. The verse says, “He abandoned the God who made him and rejected the Rock his Savior.” This departure from our spiritual heritage in favor of earthly power is a grave misstep. It exalts politics over the Savior. It distorts the Gospel’s radical message of love, humility, and reconciliation.
The Radicalization of Christianity: A Threat to the Gospel
Christianity today faces a dangerous tendency toward radicalization. Some leaders wield their influence to promote political agendas rather than spiritual truths. This shift toward political extremism is bolstered by visible expressions of Christian piety. It threatens the soul of the church. It also endangers the democratic and pluralistic societies in which we live. The violent pursuit of power is often justified by misinterpreted biblical texts. This justification starkly contrasts with Christ’s call to meekness and humility: “I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29).
The radicalization of Christianity distorts the Gospel message. It turns it into a tool for political gain instead of a beacon of hope and salvation. It poses a real and imminent threat to the integrity of the faith. Psalm 95:1 reminds us: “Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord.” “Let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation”. The church must return to this Rock—our true foundation—rather than building on the shifting sands of political alliances.
Faith Beyond Politics: The Eternal vs. the Temporal
The temptation to align the Gospel with political power is not new. Christian leaders have faced struggles throughout history. They have tried to engage with the world while remaining faithful to their spiritual calling. Yet, as 2 Samuel 22:47 declares, “The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be my God, the Rock, my Savior!” We lose sight of eternal truths when we exalt politics over the Savior and his kingdom. These truths transcend political ideologies and earthly kingdoms.
Christian prayers, hymns, and symbols have too often been co-opted as tools for earthly agendas, undermining their spiritual significance. The church must resist the allure of political influence. It needs to refocus on what truly matters: the life-changing power of the Gospel. Jesus Christ is the Rock of Salvation, and any try to build outside this foundation is destined to fail.
Conclusion: Returning to the Gospel
In a divided and turbulent world, the church has a unique and critical role. It must preach a Gospel that unites rather than divides. It should offer eternal hope rather than temporal solutions. The words of Billy Graham serve as a timeless reminder. Evangelists and believers alike must stay steadfastly centered on Christ. They must refuse to be swayed by the shifting winds of political agendas.
The Gospel is enough. It has always been enough. Let us not abandon our spiritual heritage for the fleeting promises of politics or political gain. Let us stand firmly on the Rock of Salvation. We proclaim a message of love, humility, and redemption to all who will listen. In every moment, we enter into God’s presence. Let us do so with hearts overflowing in gratitude. Let us lift our voices in praise. The Lord Jesus, mighty and sovereign, reigns over all creation and lovingly shepherds his people. We are recipients of his grace and the blessings he freely gives. Let us approach him with true thankfulness. Our thankfulness is for his unfailing goodness. He is our God and our Savior—the Author of all joy and redemption. Let us continually give him the honor he deserves. We recognize that we are his flock. We are cared for and cherished by the greatest Shepherd of all.
Minister A Francine Green
February 2026
afrancinegreen.com 