The problem with political parties is not their individual takes on the nation’s issues. The problem is that they are filled with sinners, people who too frequently are without God’s level-headed wisdom and guidance.
The problem with the politicians in office is that they were all voted in by sinners.
God removes kings and sets up kings (Dan. 2:21). Whoever is in authority in the government has been set there by God (Rom. 13:1-7). Therefore Christians should be civil toward them, even if they do not like their policies. Nevertheless, we are free to impeach, recall, or vote in a replacement; to use any lawful means at hand to replace them or their laws if they usurp the commandments of God.
We are commanded to pray for those in authority (1 Tim. 2:1-2). How important this is, because the leader has to govern the likes of you–you who have a hard enough time yielding to the God who is love and pure and holy. Pray for the ones in authority, and for us subjects to pursue godliness under their rule.
Christians are to be people of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15). We are to seek it out with the mind of Christ and stand for it. Regarding the media, several groups exist to double-check facts reported on the web. Whenever you receive an email that accuses a public figure of wrongdoing, or contains political opinion or conspiracy ideas, use one of the fact-checking sites to get the lowdown. Please don’t quickly pass it on to your brothers and sisters in the household of God. Please don’t pass on something of which you know nothing, especially if it came from a Christian friend who also isn’t checking it.
Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords. His is the Name above every name, over every kind of leader and government throughout the world. He has received power and authority over all, including life and death, angels and demons, nature above and below. He is the victorious one, and nothing shall prevail over His church.
Empires have come and gone, and His church has outlasted them all. This empire too shall pass. This administration will be replaced by another. Then another. Don’t sweat over that which is passing (2 Cor. 4:16-18). Jesus is eternal. The government will rest on His shoulders forever (Isa. 9:6-7) when He comes in the glory of His Father with the angels (Matt. 16:27).
“Thy kingdom come,” Jesus taught us to pray (Matt. 6:10). With every injustice we hear about, we respond with this request. When man rules, it can’t end well. This we know because God has shown us the end in His prophecies. With every injustice, we affirm that this is not our home; we are strangers in a strange land (Heb. 11:13); we look for a city made by God, a heavenly mansion Christ is building even now in the heavenlies (John 14:2).
If you do NOT take the coronavirus vaccine, you will surely join the 2-million-plus people who have already perished.
If you DO take the coronavirus vaccine, you will surely join the 2-million-plus people who have already perished.
Death happens to us all. “For that is the end of all men; And the living will take it to heart” (Ecclesiastes 7:2).
“But I don’t want to die so soon.” Because you are not ready to face the Judge of the Living and the Dead? He’s the first stop before heaven or hell. Jesus Christ, the Resurrection and the Life, determines the status of your eternity, not a face mask, not a vaccine.
So if you are careful to wear a face mask to protect yourself and others, be also careful to keep yourself abiding in Christ, in the Word, prayer, worship, fellowship, and making God your exceeding joy (Psalm 43:4).
If you are keen on being maskless, be also keen on spreading the gospel or supporting those who do, volunteering at your church, meeting people’s needs in love, and making God your exceeding joy (1 Peter 4:13).
I can’t think of a better way to die. What a blessed hope. What an eager anticipation!
The LGBTQ is not your enemy. (They are human beings for whom Christ died.) The Other Political Party is not your enemy. (Jesus died for them, too, remember?)
Sin is the enemy. And it is in you. So you are your own worst enemy if Jesus is not your Lord and Savior, and you are not a disciple following in His steps of faith. If you will not forgive the wrongs of others and let them go, neither will God forgive yours (Matt. 18:21-35).
He came to die an agonizing death, to save, forgive, and to set free. Don’t be the one who undoes His work, or it will not end well for you (Matt. 18:6-8).
Satan is the enemy. How else are all the crackpot laws of government and conspiracy theories stirring us up into a frenzy? Who else confounds our minds with worries, doubts, and fears that never really happen? Satan, being a spiritual being, can’t die. He’s had thousands of years to learn the foibles of mankind. He is a murderer and the father of lies who does not stand in the truth (John 8:44). He knows what buttons to press to make you obsess over those things rather than seek the will of God.
All that is good and full of life comes down from the Father above (James 1:17). Whatever keeps you from being blessed by the Creator personally is your enemy. Because if you are not blessed with His presence and life, His wisdom and guidance, you will be the problem in the world. You will add more chaos to the din, not calm, not aid, not an encouraging word.
Don’t limit yourself to seeking climate change, but seek the heart change that is refreshed by the mighty wind of the Spirit. Seek to surrender to the Lord moment by moment. You have stopped seeking Him too soon if He is not your exceeding joy (Jude 1:24).
Hi Steve, I cannot tell you what a blessing this was to me. I have been grieved by the division in the church. It has done such despite to the Gospel and the cause of Christ. To me too many have forgotten that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal. There is no where in scripture where the end justifies the means. God is in the means and wants us to leave the end with Him. You address every aspect of this in such a biblical way, supported by scripture, I wish every believer no matter what side they are on, would read what you wrote. I know that God is able to redeem all of this and I am trusting that He will for all of us who are open to the work of the Spirit. Blessings, and thank you again, Mike
Thank you, Mike. A biblical mindset, the mind of Christ, is essential if we are to be clear witnesses of the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ. We are not defined by our politics but by our Savior. We are to be engaged with the world, and that includes politics–but without the world changing us.