As our Supreme Court issues politically charged decisions and both sides of the aisle gear up for midterm elections, Christians are vociferously – and some would argue obnoxiously – engaging in public debate as if conservatism is the solution to our nation’s growing woes.
But it isn’t.
Political ills do contribute to the growing fissure in our wounded nation, but our primary need is for a great awakening unprecedented in our nation’s history. Where once even non-Christians subscribed at least in part to a biblical worldview, now such a worldview is foreign and repugnant to all but its followers.
We cannot expect to change the minds of men if we do not first set out to change their hearts. This is why – though I have very definite political opinions – I seldom express them via social media. What the world most needs to hear is the gospel. If we proclaim politics over Christ, we make politics an idol to which Christ plays second fiddle. But He plays second fiddle to none.
Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. – 2 Timothy 2:23-26
This is not to say Christians should avoid involvement in the public arena. To the contrary, such involvement is our biblical mandate as ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). At the very least, we are commanded to pray for and submit to those in authority over us (Romans 13:1-8).
Over the next seven days, I invite you to join Anne Graham Lotz and fellow Christians nationwide in an urgent call to prayer for our nation. Anne describes the purpose of this prayer campaign: “for God the Father to restrain, protect, and deliver His people from the evil that has come into our world; for God the Son to be exalted, magnified, and glorified in His church, in our nation, and in our lives; for God the Holy Spirit to fall on us in a fresh way, compelling the church to repent of sin and our nation to return to faith in the living God, resulting in a great national spiritual awakening.”
Our true enemy is not a member of the federal government, the judiciary of a house of Congress. Let’s not forget, my friends, the nature of our battle.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. – Ephesians 6:12
I heartily agree with your analysis of our political landscape. The statistics on Christian Evangelical children falling away when they get to college should tell us something. While we are barnstorming for America our children are leaving the faith in droves! Very depressing and telling. What should be our first line of defense? Getting bills passed in congress or giving our kids a strong foundation in their faith – and I’m not talking about church attendance either. That is our failing – having kids go to events rather than creating authentic community with age variance to give our kids experience in life learning and taking away a solid, well grounded faith that is their own – seen from people who are mature and have their life’s experience to share. It still comes down to discipleship!
Nancy, I couldn’t agree more! We truly worry more about whether people are going to the polls than about whether people – including our own children – are going to hell. Our priorities must be realigned to God’s. Discipleship is greatly neglected in our homes and in our churches. I’ll be addressing that very soon.