Lets face it, we live in an alarming and scary world. Maybe it's the election year, or this slow and steady push of personal agendas, maybe its social networking and the medias fault, or maybe its a combination.
It feels like every new law passed fly's in the face of God and there is essentially nothing we can do about it. I know as a "Christian" what ever that is anymore... I'm suppose to "hate" the Obama administration but I can't think of any administration in my lifetime time that I was suppose to "like." I see so many pushes to stand and take action against ...but is that really God's will? Are we not suppose to respect and pray for those placed in authority? After all they are only flawed human beings...We don't have to like them and we are told not to compromise our moral standards...Jesus himself encourages the idea of separation between church and state. "Give to Caesar what is his"
or better yet
Romans 13
I struggle with how upset and shocked "Christians" are with the state of the world, does no one read the bible anymore It say's these things will happen and it tells us to take heart.
I see post after post from my "Christian" friends who are angry at this law or that statement. We are encouraged to stand for what we believe, yet do we sometimes do it at the expense of the unbelievers soul?
I see very little encouragement to LOVE and more importantly PRAY for our leaders, the law writers, the candidates, the unbelievers, the transgenders, the same sex inclined, the broken ... as if we are so perfect we can call "them" bad people and freaks.
"You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." Matthew 7:5
It's like everyone is yelling ITS NOT FAIR on both sides and we,on the side of Jesus have all forgotten
God.is.in.control.
It doesn't feel like it,
It doesn't sound like it.
It's hard to believe it but.
God.is.in.contorl.
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33
God is not surprised that Trump is running for president. God is not surprised transgenders are receiving the right to use what ever public restroom they choose, God is not surprised Christian business owners are being forced to server, or fined if they don't serve, same sex couples as well as any other minority that their religion may stand against. God is not surprised the secular world is enforcing separation of church and state. God is not surprised because he in the end is the ruler of all.
Jesus sent his disciples out to tell others about him to be examples not once did he say to judge, condemn or force them to follow Jesus...these men were often killed, beaten, laughed at, or thrown in jail... That first century church was prosecuted beyond our imagination and still thrived...because they did it for God future kingdom not this world.
"This is nothing new under the sun." God is not surprised.
For years we "Christians" have used that title to push our beliefs and policies on everyone else, even if they don't believe the same as we do. Instead, of reaching out and sharing Jesus while living as an example... we have spent years wrapping ourselves in our traditions, beliefs, and judgments. That now, when its come full circle we can't handle it. Now that the world is pushing back we have forgot how God says its going to be...We can't remember how to stand up in adversity with a spirit of peace and a desire to share Gods love. Its a shame our first reaction is to "rant" on social media about something we don't agree with. We have the ability to reach people all around the world with a click of a button and we use it not for growing Gods Kingdom but for our own personal agendas and righteous anger.
It's not our job to make non believers or the government follow Gods moral laws. It's simply our job to tell others about Jesus and let the holy spirit work so they might want to follow Gods moral laws. Someone who does not agree with you is not going to be saved by social media posts about how evil America is. Being angry, whiny, and judgmental about our world isn't going to help anyone see it our way. I read some status and posts and I can't help but think "man we all sound like spoiled little children, pouting because are not getting our way." We are so full of righteous anger that we don't show any love or compassion.
There is enough bad in this world, enough to be scared of, with out piling on... Now more then ever we "Christians" (and I use that term reservedly) are being observed to see how we handle ourselves. Sadly from what is see....it's very poorly.
For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control. ~2 Timothy 1:7~
No, it's not fair, and it does suck. Yes, we need to follow God's laws above all else but that's because we believe those laws. We need to be examples of God's Love. We can't judge those who don't believe the same as we do. We can't hate Trump, Clinton, or Obama because they are lost...though man is the struggle real.
This is our chance to show the world what we are made of, start the fire...to cling to the promises in God's word and to not be afraid. Fear is one of Satan's greatest tools to undermine everything the original church tried to set up. Hitler used Fear, the Media and Politicians use the same fear now.
So this election year don't let fear drive you to the polls (or away) Pray God reveals his will to you. Above all else Pray for our leaders, for our country, for our candidates, for our states, and our families. Pray and don't give into fear. He never promised us a rose garden.
When you need comfort, when you feel so discouraged about the state of the world, when someone else points their finger at you and says "hypocrite, judgmental, close minded fool"....When a news post celebrates the success of another passed bill that mocks God. Instead of whining, and getting upset seek comfort from the only source that can comfort you God's word.
Stand firm, Love God, Share God...it's not always going to be easy, comfortable or convenient but though we don't have a sound like wind and flames of fire...we are filled with the "holy spirit" lets prove God's love is still alive. Let's make the term "Christian" usable again.
Let's live our lives so when this world passes away we can stand before our Father and say "I did all I could."
Psalm 37 and 46 I find especially comforting.
What verses comfort you in these times?
Some more food for thought.
http://www.relevantmagazine.com/current/politics/how-christians-should-engage-election
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