Political ideology won't help people when they die: Christians should focus on sharing the gospel

While many of us spend time focusing on news, politics, and the never-ending culture war, the celebration of Christmas offers Christians the opportunity to zoom out and remember that ultimately, our mission should always be spreading the message of salvation, "how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures..." (1 Corinthians 15:3b-4)

Humans are sinful. Simply peruse some news headlines or look into your own heart, the evidence is everywhere. Inherent in the celebration of Christmas is the recognition of our own sinfulness and need of salvation.

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

When someone is sick, it is better to treat the cause rather than the symptoms. And by way of analogy, there are many problems in the nation today — from crime, to abortion, to the LGBT agenda, just to name a few — but the root of those problems is human sinfulness, and the gospel treats the disease, not the symptoms.

When someone trusts in Christ's payment for their sins, they are saved from God's wrath and given eternal life. When they make the Bible the foundation of their thinking, their worldview will change. And when more people in the U.S. have their worldview shaped by the Word of God, the country will change for the better.

While proselytizing about politics might get someone to change their mind about political issues, political ideology won't help them when they die. But telling someone about the the gift of salvation that God is offering freely by his grace could change their eternity.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)