Let's look into this a bit, BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT TO our FAITH, and FAITHFULNESS! We HAVE gone into murky waters in recent times as we engage in the political tides! We HAVE become one with the FRENZY of politics which HAS altered the very core of our country in recent years, and which HAS caused division, animosity, rage, violence, and much worse; NONE of which is Christian, or acceptable as HIS CHURCH! Thus, we MUST get back to basics, and find ACCURATE understanding OF our ROLE as citizens OF HEAVEN, then, of this Earth!!!
The first truth is that the will of God permeates and supersedes every aspect of life. It is God’s will that takes precedence over everything and everyone (Matthew 6:33). God’s plans and purposes are fixed, and His will is inviolable. What He has purposed, He will bring to pass, and no government can thwart His will (Daniel 4:34-35). In fact, it is God who “sets up kings and deposes them” (Daniel 2:21) because “the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes” (Daniel 4:17). A clear understanding of this truth will help us to see that politics is merely a method God uses to accomplish His will. Even though evil men abuse their political power, meaning it for evil, God means it for good, working “all things together for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Second, we must grasp the fact that our government cannot save us! Only God can. We never read in the New Testament of Jesus or any of the apostles expending any time or energy schooling believers on how to reform the pagan world of its idolatrous, immoral, and corrupt practices via the government. The apostles never called for believers to demonstrate civil disobedience to protest the Roman Empire’s unjust laws or brutal schemes. Instead, the apostles commanded the first-century Christians, as well as us today, to proclaim the gospel and live lives that give clear evidence to the gospel’s transforming power.
One of Satan’s grandest deceptions is that we can rest our hope for cultural morality and godly living in politicians and governmental officials. A nation’s hope for change is not to be found in any country’s ruling class. The church has made a mistake if it thinks that it is the job of politicians to defend, to advance, and to guard biblical truths and Christian values.
The church’s unique, God-given purpose does not lie in political activism. Our mission lies not in changing the nation through political reform, but in changing hearts through the Word of God. When believers think the growth and influence of Christ can somehow be allied with government policy, they corrupt the mission of the church. Our Christian mandate is to spread the gospel of Christ and to preach against the sins of our time. Only as the hearts of individuals in a culture are changed by Christ will the culture begin to reflect that change.
Believers throughout the ages have lived, and even flourished, under antagonistic, repressive, pagan governments. This was especially true of the first-century believers who, under merciless political regimes, sustained their faith under immense cultural stress. They understood that it was they, not their governments, who were the light of the world and the salt of the earth. They adhered to Paul’s teaching to obey their governing authorities, even to honor, respect, and pray for them (Romans 13:1-8). More importantly, they understood that, as believers, their hope resided in the protection that only God supplies. The same holds true for us today. When we follow the teachings of the Scriptures, we become the light of the world as God has intended for us to be (Matthew 5:16).
Political entities are not the savior of the world. The salvation for all mankind has been manifested in Jesus Christ. God knew that our world needed saving long before any national government was ever founded. He demonstrated to the world that redemption could not be accomplished through the power of man, economic strength, military might, or politics. Peace of mind, contentment, hope, and joy—and the salvation of mankind—are provided only through Jesus’ death and resurrection.
You see, we ARE part of the problem as we enjoin with the world in politics, INSTEAD of WITH *GOD*, and while we DO have voice, and even influence, it MUST REFLECT THE LORD *GOD*, and nothing else! The movement of today is NOT *GODLY*, nor is it one which will lead people to a better place, and therefore, our involvement should remain ALIGNED TO THE LORD, as we tamp down the urges to use our own inclinations to fight, or resist, or what have you! *GOD* FIRST, along with HIS WILL, WAYS, and WORD SHOULD EVER KEEP us calm, rational, controlled, gentle, and otherwise effectively SHINING OF HIM, FOR HIS GLORY, and for the good of others! What is unfolding before us is like ravaging, and is in NO WAY aligned to HIM, therefore, does NOT HONOUR HIM, NOR our TRUTH AS Christians!!!
Yah, it IS TIME to draw the line, and TO DO that which REFLECTS HIM, NOT what adds to the chaos, or discord! BLESS HIM BY BEING TRUE TO HIM, and THE SPIRIT OF LOVE! DO GOOD, and BE GOOD, as you vote, pay your taxes, and otherwise exist in this world IN HIS NAME, and WILL!!!
LWINSOR © 2020
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
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