An Election Response

A word to Christians everywhere.  I'm somewhat shocked by our response to the election results.  The disregard for the power and love of God astounds me. 

Its as if we don't have a God who made it rain bread from heaven, Exodus 16:35; made water burst forth from a rock, Exodus 17:6; who provided unfailing oil and meal, 1 Kings 17:14; increased the widow’s oil, 2 Kings 4:2-6; fed one hundred men, 2 Kings 4:42-44; fed five thousand men and their families, Matt. 14:21, Mk. 6:44, Lk. 9:14-17, John 6:10,11; provided a huge catch of fish, John 21:11; and turned water into wine, John 2:9-11.

We must have forgotten that God revealed Himself as a pillar of cloud and fire, Exodus 13:21; parted the Red Sea for His people to escape, Exodus 14:29; showed up as a glory cloud in the tabernacle, Exodus 40:35; held the sun and moon still, Joshua 10:11-14; rained fire from heaven, 2 Kings 1:10-14; reversed the shadow on a sun dial, 2 Kings 20:11, Isaiah 38:8; and protected some guys while they were in a fiery furnace and a cave of lions, Daniel 3:20-26, Daniel 6:22.

Didn't our God walk on water, Matthew 14:25, Mark 6:48, John 6:19; make a donkey speak, Numbers 22:28; heal multiple people with leprosy, 2 Kings 5:14, Matt. 8:3, Mark 1:40,41, Luke 5:12-14; heal blind men, Matthew 9:29-30, Matthew 20:30-34, John 9:1-7; heal a withered hand, Matthew 12:13, Mark 3:5, Luke 6:10; heal multiple crippled people, John 5:9, Acts 14:8-10; heal snake bites, Numbers 21:8, Acts 28:3-6; reattach a severed ear, Luke 22:51, and raise from the dead the widow's son, the Shunammite's son, Jairus's daughter, the saints, Lazarus, Tabitha, Paul, and Eutychus, 1 Kings 17:22, Luke 7:15, 2 Kings 4:33-36, Matthew 9:25, Matthew 27:52, John 11:43-44, Acts 9:40-41, Acts 14:19-20, Acts 20:9-12?

If I remember correctly, Jesus revealed himself to Saul, a guy who was driven to violence towards Christians, and radically transformed his life, Acts 9:3-7; I also remember a king named Nebuchadnezzar who changed his ways and repented before God as God demonstrated His power over his life, Daniel 4:34-37.  God also opened prison doors and released His apostles from prison, Acts, 5:19, Acts 12:5-7, Acts 16:25-26; he calmed storms, Matthew 8:26, Mark 4:39, Luke 8:24; healed wombs, Genesis 25:21, Genesis 30:22, 1 Samuel 1:27, 2 Kings 4:17, Luke 22:51; and cast out demons, 1 Samuel 16:23, Matthew 8:28-32, Mark 5:2-13, Luke 8:26-33, Matthew 9:32,33, Matthew 12:22, Luke 11:14, Matthew 15:22-28, Mark 7:25-30, Matthew 17:14-18, Mark 9:17-27, Luke 9:38-42, Mark 1:23-26, Luke 4:31-37, Luke 8:2, Luke 13:11-13, Acts 16:18.

Our God is all powerful.

Now let us not forget His grace towards us and all of humanity.  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).  For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ (Romans 3:24).  As one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.  For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.  Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 5:19-21).  God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved - and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:4-9).  This is God's love towards us:  Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

We, all of humanity, are absolutely loved and adored by God.

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!  Be of the same mind in the Lord.  Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you.
- Philippians 4:1-8

An Insightful Post

7 Things Every Christian Should Know About Politics

Posted on August 30, 2012 by Bryan Roberts

 

Political discourse is the Las Vegas of Christianity—the environment in which our sin is excused. Hate is winked at, fear is perpetuated, and strife is applauded. Go wild, Christ-follower, your words have no consequences here. Jesus doesn’t live in Vegas.

Not only are believers excused for their political indiscretions, they are often applauded for committing them. Slander is explained away as righteous anger; winning arguments are esteemed higher than truthful ones; and those who stir up dissension are given the pulpit.

Recently, I was left speechless when someone told me, “I’m just tired of all these {gay slur} trying to take over our government.” Sadly, this man is a significant figure for a worldwide ministry.  I should probably say something to him, but I haven’t. After all, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

So forgive me if I balk when pastors tell me the church should engage in the political process. Why would we do that? The political process is dirty and broken and far from Jesus. Paranoia and vitriol are hardly attractive accessories for the bride of Christ.

Rather than engage in the political process, Christians have a duty to elevate it. Like any other sin, we are called to stand above the partisan dissension and demonstrate a better way.

Should we have an opinion? Yes. Should we care about our country? Yes. Should we vote? Yes. But it’s time we talk politics in a way that models the teachings of Jesus rather than mocks them.

Here are seven things we must remember about politics:

1. Democrats go to church too. Every time your pastor urges you to vote in a way that will “restore America to greatness”—code for “get rid of the liberals”—he is isolating and offending a group of people who came to church looking for Jesus. (Note: If I’m wrong about this and only Republicans go to your church, your church is doing something terribly wrong.)

2. Political talk radio and cable “news” only want ratings. When they tell you they are on a moral crusade, they are lying to you. These personalities get rich by making you afraid. If you give your favorite political ideologue more time than you give Jesus, you are following the wrong master.

3. Those who argue over politics don’t love their country more than others. They just love to argue more than others. Strife and quarreling are symptoms of weak faith. (Proverbs 10:12; 2 Timothy 2:23-25; James 4:1)

4. Thinking your party’s platform is unflawed is a mistake. The social policies of your party were constructed by imperfect politicians fueled by ambition. It’s nearsighted to canonize them.

5. Scripture tells us to pray for our governing leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-4) and to respect those in authority (Romans 13:1-7).  Translation: if you’re mocking your governing leaders on Facebook, you’re in sin and the Holy Spirit is grieved. We should spend more time honoring our leaders and less time vilifying them.

6. Don’t be paranoid. The country is not going to be destroyed if your candidate loses. 2 Timothy 1:7 says: “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Stand up and demonstrate what God has given you.

7. When you promise to move out of the country if your party loses, follow through.  Even if we disagree with your politics, we’ll be forced to admire your passion.

(Bonus)
8. Stop saying, “This is the most important election in the history of our nation.”  It’s not. The most important election in the history of our nation was when Abraham Lincoln was elected President. Before that, we thought it was okay to own people.

http://bryanrobertsonline.com/7-things-every-christian-should-know-about-politics/

An Introduction

Imagine a world without fear and lack.  Where governments make decisions based on love and abundance rather than fear and lack of resources.  Where people in communities embrace that they are their brother's keeper and they don't have to fear that there will not be enough to go around.  Imagine a world where perceptions do not dictate government actions, but wisdom and compassion guide their every decision.  What if all relationships, between individuals, communities, states, and governments, were defined by compassion, honor, and believing the best in one another?   Recklessly idealistic, I know, but I truly believe this is God's heart for humanity.   

This is a blog that is attempting to express God's heart in politics and to explore the possibility of the world described above.  Christians have a pretty bad reputation of being dishonoring when it comes to addressing alternative political views.  This is a space where people can come to learn and discuss political issues from a perspective that honors God and one another.  It is a place where those who have encountered the lavish love of God can explore how to engage with a world that has not fully realized that the Kingdom of Heaven is in its midst. 

Ultimately I will begin with the following premises:

About God:

1. God is all-powerful, lacks nothing, and is for the good of all mankind.
2. God loves every person on the planet infinitely and unconditionally, and is in a good mood.
3. Jesus is the ultimate demonstration of God's love for humanity.  His death and resurrection declares all of mankind "not guilty"; it is now the choice of each person whether they want to be in relationship with God or not for all of eternity.
4. God is in the business of convincing the world that He loves them; not coercively, but romantically.  It is this love that is the heartbeat of the Kingdom of Heaven.

About Christians:

1. The "job" of those who believe in and accept His love is to enjoy, demonstrate, and share that love with those who don't know about it yet.

About Government:

1. The United States of America and ultimately the World is a pluralistic society with persons of many opinions, beliefs, and moral codes.
2. The intended purpose of the US government is:

   “The purpose of government is to enable the people of a nation to live in safety and happiness. Government exists for the interests of the governed, not for the governors.”
   - Thomas Jefferson

For the purposes of the site, the premises are not to be argued with. They are the starting point for the rest of the conversation. There are many other websites that discuss the legitimacy of these premises, but this site is something different.  I hope that issues will be presented in such a way that it communicates what people are for rather than what they are against.  I'm hoping people will post comments and feedback, however, they will be filtered to keep the conversation constructive and focused.  I look forward to seeing people respond to one another in such a way that engages the heart and mind. 

In some ways I feel completely inadequate in facilitating this sort of discussion, but God keeps reminding me that what I bring to the conversation is His heart.  He has told me that I will learn a lot.  I don't have all of the answers, but He does.  As we engage with the issues facing this world that are in contrast to His Kingdom (His love), He will provide us with the wisdom in how to move forward.

I'm excited to see where this goes.

Thanks for reading.