Politics are dirty. The candidates I see are patchworks of media. I don't know them. I must pray for every single one. The Christian way of influence is to love all, especially via prayer. I pray for each one.
Politics are confusing. Who knows who will stand. If the "wrong one" gets into office, who knows he or she is really the "wrong one." People change. God says so. Prayer is the key. God is in charge.
Politics are pointless. What good is my vote? Well, the problem with our nation and our world is not a problem of politics, but a problem of heart. Generally speaking, abortion, among other leading social problems, is a problem because people - incredibly selfish, animalistic people - want sex when they want it and on their own terms. It's not that people want the right to abort. They want the right to ... well, you know. And by people, I mean every last single one of us. Go through the catalog of ALL our other social problems and you will find that they are ALL rooted in personal sin as the Bible defines it. People want what they want. They have since Genesis 3. God help people.
Slavery existed because it could. There's less of it now, certainly around these parts. This must mean one last thing: politics are spiritual! Ultimately, God is the issue. We can't call a nation or a world who doesn't believe in Him to honor Him. Our first task as Christians is to offer faith, as instruments in God's hands, to a world dying to hear ... literally. William Wilberforce said, "when we think of eternity, and of the consequences of all human conduct, what is there in this life that should make any man contradict the dictates of his conscience, the principle of justice, the laws of religion, and of God?"
Interesting days we have been chosen to live in. . .prayer, fasting and seeking His forgiveness and mercy seem to be what our nation and world need to focus on. It's a God-sized situation. Your comments help to remind me that God is seeking each of His people to be involved in getting His message out to a dying world. . .I cannot allow myself to feel overwhelmed and insignificant. May His love sustain His people as we seek Him with 'all our repentent hearts'. Thank you Pastor John, for being His faithful servant and teacher!
ReplyDelete"politics are not the task of the Christian" - Bonhoeffer.
ReplyDeleteOur task is proclaim the truth, most particularly the truthful proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. How that reality informs our decisions is what is important. We are not called to stand up for politicians but for Christ. Nor are we called to abandon the public square (Richard John Neuhaus).
THANK YOU for NOT endorsing a candidate. THANK YOU for staying true to the Gospel, the only reality which matters.