GOD HAS A PURPOSE or (A FOLLOW-UP TO MY PLEA)

(If you have not read “A PLEA TO MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST”, that would be recommended before reading this response and continuation.)

Wow! I was amazed at the response to my last blog. I really appreciate all of you who took the time to let me know what you thought and some even re-posting it. So many of you shared how much it helped and ministered to you. Of course I have heard from some of you who are wrestling with my conclusions or are in total disagreement. I fully expected this and truly understand where you are coming from.  I really enjoy having to grapple with complicated issues like this one. It keeps me on my toes mentally and spiritually and I really need that kind of exercise at my age. Thank you.

A FEW POINTS OF CLARIFICATION

First of all, I think Christians should run for public office if they believe the Lord is calling them to that. There is no question in my mind that God wants His people influencing the culture and being light in the darkness wherever they can. Secondly, I did not intend to imply that Christians should never vote or that I would never vote again. It may have come across that way, and I apologize for that. I did say that I had decided not to vote in this particular presidential election for the reasons I set forth in the blog. (I have been influenced otherwise by some of you and I will say more about that at the end.)

MY MOTIVATION

I had titled the first blog, “MY PLEA TO MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS…” because of the attitudes and perspectives on this election that have taken over our Country. Like I said, I’ve never seen us more polarized. I saw it influencing my own heart, as well as the hearts of a great majority of believers and non-believers alike. There is this fear and even panic that if we don’t get the right person in the White House it’s all over; our country is toast; it’s Armageddon now.  Believe me when I say I truly understand why so many of us feel that way, I have in the past and even now wrestle with that fear often. But I must be honest with you, I don’t think it’s from God, and I felt I had to express my concern over this kind of fear and panic in relation to a Christian worldview. That was my central motivation for writing the blog.

GOD HAS A PURPOSE

I’ve started writing a book under the title: God has a Purpose. In His sovereign providence He has a purpose for every person, place and thing on the planet. He has a purpose for the United States (and every other nation). If we believe our God is sovereign over all things and has a purpose for all things we should regularly ask the question, “What is God up to in this situation or that event; this trial or that blessing?” I love to ask that question of the Lord and prayerfully wait for what He might teach me or show me.

But we must always remember that all of the Lord’s reasons for what He brings to pass fall under His one ultimate, overarching purpose: That mankind would know Him, be in relationship with Him and worship Him for who He really is. In John 17:3 Jesus prays to His Father, “And this is eternal life, that they may know you the only true God, and Jesus whom you have sent.”  I believe all of God’s other purposes serve this great purpose.

WHAT IS GOD’S PURPOSE IN THIS ELECTION?

What might God be up to in this election mess? Does He have a purpose in all the cynicism that has infected Americans concerning politics? I know many of you are like me. I have put optimistic hope in our political system for a very long time. I have voted all of my life for conservative, pro-life candidates. What is the result? After all these years nothing seems to change. The slow and steady spiritual/moral decline that “suppresses the truth in unrighteousness” marches on. Right or wrong, this is why it’s so hard for me to hope in this process to take us in the direction that I believe to be Godly and Biblical. I’m sure a lot of you can really identify with my frustration.

But what if our disappointment is the Lord’s intention? Perhaps it’s the Lord’s purpose to use a dysfunctional political system to make us turn our hope more towards Him. Perhaps he is trying to demonstrate to His children, in a deeper way, the futility and irrationality of hoping in the ways of man. Maybe He’s using these times to call us to take hold of Proverbs 3:5 where we are told, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding (like, the future depends on who lives in the White House). Perhaps His purpose is to prepare us for what He knows lies ahead. Maybe He is lovingly shaking our confidence in man and his ways so we might get a better grip on Him as the only object of our hope because He knows we will soon need Him in ways we never have before.

WHAT IS GOD’S PURPOSE FOR AMERICA?

I’m convinced that God’s ultimate purpose for our nation is much bigger and quite different from our list of hopeful outcomes as a result of this election.

Think about just a few of the issues with me:

*As much as we want to make and keep our economy strong and growing, does that fit God’s ultimate purpose for the people of this country? Some of the most amazing Christians I’ve ever met live in extremely humble circumstances depending daily on their Lord for every provision. I don’t think we realize how detrimental our great prosperity is to our spiritual health and growth.

*We highly value security and safety in this country to the point of idolatry. God’s great purpose might require a greater and greater shattering of our security and safety.  What if the Lord wants to deliver us from this idol, and all the fear that accompanies it, and teach us to say, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” (Psalm 20:7) or “Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” the Lord of power is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress (protection). (Psalm 46:10-11)

*And most importantly, all of us who Love the Lord, long for God’s ultimate purpose to become a reality. We want to see a revival in our land; a turning of our nation toward the living God. But, what if this ultimate purpose of God can’t be accomplished through prayer or great sermons or voting for the right person?

Let me share a well-known revival passage with you: “…if my people, who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land.” This comes from 2 Chronicles 7:14. Many of us have prayed to our God for decades using the promise of this verse. Why is God not hearing our prayer?  Notice something very important, we have conveniently begun reading from the middle of the sentence. Listen to what precedes the promise, as God spoke it to King Solomon in the middle of the night, “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people…” Did you hear that? God said that He would judge His people by sending drought and starvation and disease. That is a heck of a challenge to the theology of most of us. But notice, it is only when God sends forth His corrective judgments and in the midst of those judgments that He says, “…if my people…pray…seek my face…turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear…forgive their sin and heal their land.”

So, what if God can’t bring His ultimate purpose to America and especially to His people through praying, preaching, and voting? What if we are beyond that? Maybe, as those who claim to be followers of Jesus, we aren’t quite what we think we are in relation to where the Lord wants to take us. Maybe God has not answered our prayers for the healing of our land because we have not held up our end of the bargain. Maybe we’ve cried out to Him in prayer, but have we really sought His face?  Do we have a real desire to turn from our wicked ways, or have we become a people who no longer tremble at His Word and therefore sear our consciences by justifying our sins.

If we are in the “birth-pangs” of God’s judgment on this nation there is purpose in what is transpiring around us. And when God is working it is always to a very good purpose. But, make no mistake, when God sets out to judge a nation it is never pretty. It means difficulty of such a degree that it causes one of two things in a person’s life: one either clings even more doggedly to their idolatry or, one runs into the shelter of The Most High God, and is changed in glorious, God honoring ways. My brothers and sisters, this is not a bad thing. The Lord’s disciplinary judgments will separate the true from the false, the wheat from the tares and make His anemic, distracted church faithful and strong again.

Maybe you have heard that there are many believers in persecuted countries that pray for us, their brothers and sisters in the Western church, that we would experience some persecution. They have an understanding of the biblical teaching that trials and suffering have a direct correlation to intimacy with Christ and deep spiritual growth.

CONCLUSION

I have no doubt that God is going to bring revival to this nation, I'm just not sure it's going to come about the way we usually envision it. Therefore, my plea to the church is that we think a bit deeper about what God’s purpose might be for this nation and His church in these very interesting times.

I will leave you with this passage from (1 Peter 4:12-19):

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed…if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”

Whether you are able to see through my biblical lens or not I hope this helps you as you seek the Lord for yourself concerning these interesting days in which we find ourselves.

P.S. I mentioned at the beginning that I have heard the admonition of some of you exhorting me to vote and I have reconsidered. I will vote, because I cannot deny the exercise of that valuable right. I cannot find the Lord’s peace, however, in voting for any of the major candidates. I will be writing in a very special candidate indeed.

I so appreciate you taking the time to read my words. I would love to hear your feedback. Blessings!

A PLEA TO MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST!

I am making this plea to all of you who claim Jesus to be your Lord and Savior and are serious about obeying His Word.  I’m speaking to all races, genders, nationalities, and age groups. Most of us are having a great struggle over the challenges set before us in relation to this presidential election. Our nation is as polarized as I have ever seen it, to the point that it’s even putting a strain on long standing friendships and even family relations. My Brothers and Sisters, these things ought not to be in the body of Christ. We are His Body; we are called to walk together as one. We cannot let politics distract us from our real purpose. And what is this great purpose, to proclaim the glory of Jesus and His Gospel through our words, our actions, our love for each other and for the rest of the world. Those around us desperately need to see the power of a God who is real, working through the lives of a people who are living what they profess to believe.

I’ve been praying and thinking much about what a faithful, Biblical stance should look like in the midst of this highly charged political environment. I want to humbly submit to you a few of my thoughts and conclusions. I pray these observations may help you find some peace and make some spiritual sense out of the craziness that surrounds us.

Remember Your True Nationality

First, we need to live in the understanding of who we really are in Christ. I was born in Orlando, Florida in 1953. That makes me an American. I had absolutely no say in my nationality, race, gender or date of birth. God alone determines these things and does so for his purposes…purposes known only to Him. Every believer was born in a particular nation according to God’s wise design. But more importantly, when the Lord calls His people from every tribe, tongue and nation, He places all of us into His new nation. This is astounding! Think about it. As a believer you are a citizen of a Kingdom that transcends all borders; a nation that encompasses the entire globe. We have a President/King, His name is Jesus. We have a constitution; the Word of God. This is our greater reality. It is a mind blowing reality. We are of a kingdom that is not of this world; a kingdom that will never collapse or crumble, ruled by a King that speaks only truth, and lives forever.

Hear this amazing truth from 1 Peter 2:9-11, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

This sums up who we are and what we are here for. We are a new race of people, inhabiting a new nation and our President is not only a flawless leader but actually possesses us in love, having purchased us out of this world of darkness and placed us in His kingdom of light.  And out of our overflowing joy and gratitude as citizens of this holy nation our passion in life has become a desire proclaim Him. Now that’s a campaign I can get on board with.

Folks, we are not here to tout the excellencies of politicians or of some system that ends in “ism”. We are here to make known a kingdom that is not of this world. Yes, God’s kingdom is in this world but transcends and permeates all the other nations. To say that it is not of this world also means it does not function, think or do business in the same way as earthly kingdoms. Halleluiah! What a glorious truth.

Be Careful Where You Place Your Hope

Secondly, I ask you, where do you place your hope? Being sixty three years old I have heard quite a few campaign speeches in my time. In reality they are all pretty much the same. They tell you what they think you want to hear, making tons of promises they have little ability and often no intentions of keeping. Offering hope for something better or different from the present status quo is usually a key aspect of any campaign. Obama’s “Hope and Change” slogan is a perfect example.

But those of us who say we hope in God need to actually hope in Him and not in man. We must stop placing our hope in political parties and their leaders. If we place our hope for the future in the next Supreme Court justice, or senator, or president, or party platform; we have misplaced our hope.  

Recognize the Real Enemy

We must all step back and take a deep breath and remember that the Scriptures plainly tell us our battle is not against flesh and blood. Reality encompasses more than what we can see with our physical eyes. The battle is not against liberals or conservatives; progressives or fundamentalist; Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump. Our war is with spiritual powers that include Satan himself. And just as we have one great purpose, these demonic powers have one great purpose as well…to undermine us in our calling to be a faithful testimony of His glory. These powers want to divide us and pit us against each other. They are masters at using distraction, confusion, lies and fear to pull us out of the race that the Lord has marked out for us as His servants.

This is My Struggle

I was raised with the deeply imbedded idea that I have no choice but to vote? Thousands have died to protect this privilege for me as an American. I have believed that not to vote is irresponsible and flat out un-American. I have been a faithful voter since I was eighteen years old. And believe me; I do understand that it is an incredibly great privilege. But I also believe we have moved into new territory. We have entered historically unique times. I have come to the conclusion that for me personally, I cannot vote in this presidential election. Please read on and consider my reasoning.

“Do not be Unequally Yoked”

Whoever you vote for you will be disappointed. Political parties and their leaders can never deliver what we all long for in the depths of our hearts. To watch the conventions you would think they see themselves as the saviors of the world. People need to understand that that position has already been taken.

If I vote Republican, Democrat, Libertarian or Green Peace, I yoke myself to an entity that is extremely flawed, even corrupt. 2 Corinthians 6:14 says, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness?” Wow!  Could this be any plainer or more applicable to what we face in this election? And I think it’s fair to say that none of these candidates have a fear of God as set forth in the Scriptures. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge (Proverbs 1:7). The last thing I want to do is identify myself, and therefore my Lord, with is a leader who has no understanding of walking humbly before the God. Which means they have no basis for obtaining true wisdom and understanding…no grasp of the fact that it is God Himself who will actually place them in their leadership position. It is God who raises kings up and takes them out.

A Nation Under Judgment

I believe we are a nation that is clearly under the judgment of God. I give you exhibit A – the choices we have for president. . A key element of this judgment is the Godless leadership discussed above. One of our founding fathers famously said, “A nation gets the leadership it deserves.” And then there is exhibit B – as Albert Martin puts it in his book, Forgotten Fear, “The fear of God has essentially vanished from the fabric of our national life and experience.” That is an undeniably factual statement. And if you know your Bible at all and believe what it says, you know that God is no respecter of persons or nations. You know that He is a righteous judge who promises to deal with any nation, be it Israel or otherwise, that ceases to acknowledge Him and His authority as Creator. It is an undeniable fact that Jesus and the Bible are no longer allowed as legitimate sources for input into the national “conversation”. If they are mentioned in public it is usually with smug ridicule or as the objects of a comedians mocking joke. We need to wake up and smell the coffee. We are experiencing what it looks and feels like to be in a Country (and a world) that is in the “birth-pangs” of the Judgment of God against our rebellion. Romans 1:18 says, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” This is present tense; this judgment is taking place now, because we, as a nation are suppressing the truth…His truth.  My friends, we don’t need to be worrying about the consequences of a Clinton presidency or a Trump presidency; this nation should be trembling over the ever growing consequences of being judged by the living God. Do not doubt that God judges nations. The Bible is full of examples and we are no better than they were.

A Word of Counsel and Caution

A number of years ago, based on the observations above and with some good insight from some younger believers, I came to the conviction that it was not wise to connect my Christian faith to a particular political party. Many were offended that “Christian” was synonymous with Republican. The argument was that the glory of our incredible Jesus transcends flawed politics and parties. And I agreed. There is a principle that runs deep in our human nature and it is described well in Romans 2:1, “Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you the judge, practice the very same things.” It is interesting how easy it is to begin to do the very thing you hated and not even realize it. So, I caution you, if you didn’t like the faith being identified with Republicans don’t be guilty of practicing the same things. It is such an easy trap for us to fall into and often hard to see without the Spirit’s help. One of the greatest prayers in the Bible is found in Psalm 139:23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.”

My Challenge to You

I believe it’s time for followers of Jesus to rise above the fray. We must leave the fear, the name-calling, the lies, the angst and the vitriol that typifies this current election process to others. Let’s keep ourselves out of all the godless chatter, especially on social media. These times are calling us in a fresh way to stop waging war as the world does. This is our chance to come together in the unity Jesus prayed to His Father to accomplish in His children, “Father may they be one as we are one.” We are family. We eat the same bread and drink the same cup. We are the only light in this darkness. What a tremendous opportunity this election season offers us to speak with one voice about the higher kingdom, to proclaim His excellencies and call people to become citizen of a new race and a holy nation through the good news of Jesus Christ.

We should all be very grateful the Lord allowed us to be American citizens. But I am a million times more grateful to be a citizen of the ultimate kingdom that has righteous leadership and brings the sure promise of real “Hope and Change.” That kind of hope and change doesn’t come through laws and “conversations”, it happens one changed heart at a time. This is the “campaign” we are called to live for and die for. May the Lord give us the courage to separate ourselves, to rise above the clamor and say, “I’m with Him!”