In his book, “God and Government,” Chuck Colson says, “the fact that God reigns can be manifest through political means, whenever the citizens of the Kingdom of God bring his light to bear on the institutions of the kingdoms of man.” As ambassadors of Christ, we’re called to spread his message of reconciliation to all people, including in the world of politics where humans organize their earthly affairs.

And yes, we’re called to influence the shepherds of government and their policies regardless of what political party they adhere to.

At the same time, we are woefully naïve to assume politicians are the source of true peace and lasting harmony. That “utopian illusion,” Colson reminds us, “is shattered by the splintered history of the human race. Governments rise: even the most powerful fall. The battle for the people’s hearts and minds will continue.”

Painting the elephant rainbow will drive out 20 conservatives for every one it brings into the tent.

For lasting fulfillment, we must lean into the Lord – not our own understanding. This is especially true when things don’t go as planned. Recall the Apostle Paul’s letter: “I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor 12:10)

As citizens of earth and of heaven, the Body of Christ should engage in how our neighbors organize their earthly affairs, while keeping in mind that we first serve the King of all Kings, not political parties, for God’s truth reigns above all else.

Both major political parties claim some allegiance to broad biblical themes of justice and righteousness. In the end, however, the Republican and Democratic parties are really a coalition of interest groups seeking to grab and maintain power. Depending on the election year and location, Republicans will claim the mantle of “conservatism” or “we the people” to gain votes, while Democrats throw out “liberal,” “progressive” or “moderate” to do the same.

On the issue of sexuality and marriage, however, a very wide chasm has formed in recent decades between the two major political factions. Progressives have fully embraced the “everything goes” mentality while the GOP, for the most part, has maintained a greater commitment to a more biblically aligned view of family.

By actively embracing the LGBTQ community, establishment Republicans are dismissing a serious, top-shelf, non-negotiable value for many, if not most, conservatives.

The Alaska Republican Party platform, in fact, says the following: “We affirm the family, defined as people living together related by blood, marriage or adoption, as the foundational unit of society. We embrace the definition of marriage in our State Constitution as the union of one man and one woman and support reserving marriage benefits to this union alone.”

Nationally though, debate is heating up again on this matter. The Log Cabin Republicans (a LGBTQ-rights group allied with the GOP) recently held their annual Spirit of Lincoln Dinner at Mar-a-Lago. Former First Lady Melania Trump was a guest of honor and Ronna McDaniel, the chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, received its Majority Maker Award. She then announced the party would be launching its inaugural “RNC Pride Coalition” to supposedly help next year’s midterm elections.

Politically, I agree with Declan Leary in the American Conservative. He writes, “This is, of course, a moronic electoral strategy. The combination of market liberalism (free markets) with social liberalism … is a platform virtually without a constituency, and it is incomprehensible why the party establishment would move further into this sparsely populated territory … Painting the elephant rainbow will drive out 20 conservatives for every one it brings into the tent.”

The art of politics is working with those you disagree with. Conservatives should always try and work with those in elected office who have views on fiscal policies that create more freedom, liberty and increased economic opportunities. If those same people are socially liberal, then negotiation, confrontation, disagreement and compromise – all part of the “sausage-making” – will unfold. Nothing new or unusual here.

“I believe that marriage is the union between a man and a woman. Now, for me as a Christian — for me — for me as a Christian, it is also a sacred union. God’s in the mix.”

Barack Obama, 2008

It is not surprising that many in the LGBTQ community do not hold to every progressive, leftist, anti-American policy or position the Democrats are dishing out. Their votes are always welcome and in fact have nearly always been a portion of the Republican electorate – even before the Log Cabin.

That is entirely different, however, than what the RNC Pride Coalition is orchestrating. By actively embracing the LGBTQ community, establishment Republicans are dismissing a serious, top-shelf, non-negotiable value for many, if not most, conservatives. Historical sexual norms and traditional, biblical marriage, despite the faulty Obergefell ruling mandating same-sex “marriage” nationwide, are worth “conserving.” Pundits will say these moral values must go the way of history in order to cater to a younger, woke generation of GOP voters. That argument, however, doesn’t fly in any other arena.

Can you envision elegant galas for similar coalitions between the GOP and voter blocs committed to, I don’t know, say, raising taxes, expanding welfare entitlements, defunding police or establishing government-run healthcare? If not, why not?

I think it’s because Satan is very smart – knowing full well that marriage is God’s signature. He is pushing, always prowling like a lion, to confuse, deceive and devour. Marriage started in the Garden of Eden and it’s how God chose to identify his people – the Bride of Christ – with the ultimate Bridegroom, the Lamb of God. Ultimately, as scripture reminds us, this is more than a political battle. Our struggle “is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12)

Embracing lies about marriage and sexuality makes us vulnerable to being led astray. The Word of God is very clear, however, that when we forget God all our efforts will lead to “sickness and incurable pain.” (Isaiah 17:10-11)

Stand strong Republicans. Hold to your biblically-based platform on marriage despite how trite or outdated or “on the wrong side of history” you’re told it is. Return to your roots Democrats. Remember it was Barack Obama in 2008 who said, “I believe that marriage is the union between a man and a woman. Now, for me as a Christian — for me — for me as a Christian, it is also a sacred union. God’s in the mix.”

As John Stonestreet, head of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, put it, the RNC Pride Coalition is an “ends justifies the means approach,” which is dangerous and not at all what conservatism should look like in the public space. Redefining marriage is not limited government, but a massive government intrusion into a God-ordained institution.

As watchmen on the wall, we must stand firm against this deception. Ultimately, though, we are at peace, even as political and cultural chaos unfolds. Why? Because, as the Psalmist says, we do not put our trust in princes [or in presidents, premiers, or prime ministers], or in mortals, in whom there is no help. Our hope is in God.

The views expressed here are those of the author.

Click here to support the Alaska Watchman.