You’ve probably heard that phrase before. It pertains to something pervasive in the space that envelops a place. The earth has an atmosphere surrounding it; an atmosphere that contains the gases that we need to breathe in order to survive. We can’t see it but we can detect it. We breathe it, we can smell it depending on what’s currently in it; we can feel it push against us on a windy day. The term can also indicate the presence of something that may or may not be physical. There’s something there that’s difficult to define, something that isn’t visible but you can feel its presence nonetheless. It might be something physical like moisture, or an odor, or maybe static electricity, and it permeates the environment. It’s everywhere but it’s not always definable. The phrase can also point to a mood among an assembly of people, a mood of tension perhaps…or anticipation. Something’s going on, but exactly what that is may not be obvious. Or maybe the circumstances provide some clue to evaluate that feeling. A crucial point in a court trial, or a baseball game, or some other event may help define the feeling. Such things affect us in various ways depending on the circumstances. There can be a joy that comes from an expectation of something good that’s about to take place. Watching someone get married is usually a joyous affair in which an atmosphere of expectation is obvious. An atmosphere of dread, on the other hand, probably weighs upon soldiers who are about to engage in battle. Fear of the unknown can be palpable in a circumstance where the outcome of an event can’t be predicted with certainty. And as the stakes rise in a given circumstance the anticipation of the outcome rises, often producing an uncomfortable mood of fear. Of course we’re not all called to the battlefield, but fear or dread of a lesser degree can prompt an uncomfortable atmosphere in a variety of circumstances. Taking an important exam in school, or applying for a job that could radically change your life can be nerve racking. In the “pre-modern” world—a world that wasn’t informed by modern science—thunder and lightning were fearful not because of the danger and damage that might occur, they were fearful because it was thought that the “gods” were expressing themselves. In such circumstances an electrical storm might have been perceived as the presence of something supernatural, creating an atmosphere of alarm.

There are other things that can inform our “atmosphere” with or without our knowledge. Poisonous gases that have no smell to them can be deadly unless we receive a warning of their presence. Ideas can inform our intellectual “atmosphere” without being recognized specifically. They’re pervasive and inform everyone in a similar way; providing a mutual understanding that defines the way we do life. These days the increasing pace of our lives is something that we take for granted as people continue to move faster and faster. This produces an atmosphere of busyness, of continual movement. Everybody’s always on the move; and if we’re not actually moving physically, we’re, nevertheless, on the go in our own minds. The pace is reflected in the way we drive: fast and faster. It’s also reflected in our constant engagement with media. Visual presentations are everywhere; electronic devices of varying types constantly deliver a visual presentation for the purpose of conveying information, or entertainment. Televisions are pervasive; they can be found anywhere these days: at the airport, in lobbies, waiting areas, restaurants, taverns…anywhere. And the most prolific influence does come through our phones. Because of the phone we don’t actually have to be moving in order to be on the go; ideas surge through our minds via the printed word, verbal expression AND visual presentations. Such things can inform our “atmosphere” in such a pronounced way that we may not even realize their impact. They’re seemingly inescapable and inform everyone in a distinct way; they inform the “atmosphere” of our culture.

Where am I going with this? Remember, I’m speaking primarily to Americans here; and what defines us as Americans? You might provide a variety of answers to that question, but the one I want to focus on is our government; specifically I’m referring to our democracy. The term is from the Greek words for “people-power.” In the ancient world Greece was made up of city states and each state established its own government. Some were governed by an elite minority and some, like Athens, established a version of democracy—at least part of the time. Ancient Greece along with the Romans (during the era of their republic) provided ideas pertaining to government that informed the formation of our modern version of democracy. Our revolution was the American reaction to monarchy that went further than the “constitutional” monarchy established by England in the century beforehand. And since the end of our Revolutionary War we’ve been continuously arguing about the nature of our government. We’ve been so enthralled with it that some have suggested that there’s no other form of government that could measure up to it. I’ve even heard it suggested that the government of our afterlife will be a version of republican democracy superintended by the Lord! I don’t know if anyone would agree with that now given the current state of our affairs, but it’s still the case that we love our government and talk about it all the time. Questions abound regarding the role of government. Should it orchestrate our wellbeing in every facet of our lives, or should it simply ensure our freedom to find our own way? Everyone has their thoughts on this, but nobody’s suggesting that our individual freedoms should be curtailed. We get to decide, and our freedom to decide should be kept intact at all costs. This is to say that the validity of our form of government is taken for granted even as we argue about the actions that the government should take.

In a sense these ideas create an atmosphere that informs us. The question is: how does such an atmosphere affect our understanding of the Lord and His call on our lives? The answer to that question can be found—must be found—in the same resources that answer all of our questions regarding our existence. The Bible, coupled with prayer and commiseration with other believers, needs to inform our understanding of everything including questions regarding our government! Because our country was founded by people who were, more times than not, regarded as Christians, it’s often assumed that the Lord inspired the establishment of the United States. I would agree with that up to a point. The Lord oversees all of human activity, and the establishment of our country was accomplished, by and large, by people who acknowledged His existence. However the founding fathers were informed by varying stripes of Christianity. There were those who viewed Christianity primarily as a regimen for morality rather than an encounter with Holy God. A few didn’t believe in God at all! And the resources used for contemplating the design of our government were often taken from Greco-Roman and European history rather than the Bible. As I’ve said, this has produced what I would regard as an “atmosphere” of democracy. Making choices for ourselves regarding how we should live our lives is a wonderful freedom that we enjoy. It allows us to practice our faith in God as we see fit. The downside from a Christian point of view is that those who don’t invest in the Christian tradition are free to live their lives as they see fit as well. And much contention has resulted as we argue about how “free” we should be. But I’m not here to pick at that bone of contention.

The question I want to address is: how should born-again—evangelical?—Christians function within this atmosphere of democracy?

I’m not focusing here on our right to practice our faith and raise families that are informed by the Gospel. What I’m focusing on is the manner in which we engage the surrounding culture. How do we participate in politics? How do we engage the work environment of employee and employer? How do we go about our business on all fronts? I’m suggesting that because we operate within an atmosphere of democracy the tendency is to take a posture of defiance; we argue for our rights concerning our religion, and for the influence of our religion in all of our affairs; if not openly we internalize it. The most prevalent place this is exhibited right now is in politics. There’s a lot of contention in the air as we argue about the direction the country should take and who should be in charge of the process. This has resulted in people arguing continuously about our politics, attempting to determine who gets to set the rules for our ongoing existence. That’s a question that goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden. Defying authority didn’t work back then and doing it now still has consequences that we need to consider. As American Christians we have a right to argue about who should be our next president, but we need to consider how we should go about it. I think Romans 13 provides Christians with a counter to the vehemence currently being exhibited in public discussion. The Apostle Paul plainly stated that:

“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are established by God.”

This is an amazing statement given the nature of Roman government in the 1^st century. However, that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t support the election of leaders we think are best for our country. In a democracy such as ours we get to choose our leaders; but as Christians we have a greater obligation to the Lord, to represent Him in a manner that He stipulates. Other participants may not exhibit such restraint, but that shouldn’t stop us from fulfilling our obligations to our Lord.

Another area of our lives that’s impacted by an “atmosphere” of democracy is our conduct on the job. Scripture that speaks to this is found in Paul’s admonition to slaves and masters. In the ancient world slavery affected everyone, and “slaves” fulfilled a variety of duties often in a manner akin to the way employees serve their employers in today’s world. In this regard Paul stated:

Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free. And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him. (Ephesians 6:5-9)

Taking such a posture on the job is not easy. As I’ve said, we’re trained as American citizens to contend for our rights, and servanthood isn’t in our DNA. However, the Bible emphasizes something different. It doesn’t focus on personal “success” or the fortunes of this or any other country; it advocates for the Kingdom of God and that’s really a central aspect of this discussion. It begs the question: What are we enthralled with in our lives?

One of the parables presented by Jesus challenges us in this regard.  In it He gave attention to the manner in which we wait for the coming of “the Son of Man.” He started out by reminding His listeners that in the “prehistoric” world the flood was anticipated by Noah, and during the time that he was building the ark people continued to carry on with their traditional affairs and were ultimately destroyed. They didn’t anticipate what was to come, and Jesus was suggesting that His return will be a surprise if we’re not watching.

Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will. Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time,’ and begins to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards; the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 24:42-51)

The point is: How are we going to act during the time leading up to the return of Jesus? As we carry on with our affairs—including our participation in the electoral process—are we informed by our anticipation of the Christ’s return, or are we focusing on securing the “rights” afforded us by our government? What is our primary investment? This is something we must ask ourselves while we look to the Lord for an accurate understanding of this present time. Putting it another way, where is our treasure? What do we value first and foremost?

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit. Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them. Whether he comes in the second watch, or even the third, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into. You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect. (Luke 12:34-40)