This is the most important election in our lifetime!
I’ve heard that warning in previous elections. More than once.
Each time, it seems to be true. It seems as if the very future of our nation and perhaps even our world hangs in the balance. Each political party proposes a vision for culture that is so different. How can we co-exist?
From time to time someone asks me: What can we do? What should we do? The bureaucratic machine appears to be invincible, unstoppable. Human history appears to be on a pathway to self-destruction.
First, take heart. God predicted this struggle long ago. Three thousand years ago, the Psalmist was moved by God’s Spirit to ask why the nations rage and the peoples plot against the Lord and his Anointed One (see Psalm 2). Two thousand years ago, Jesus informed his disciples that nations and kingdoms will be in death struggles until his Second Coming.
Second, trust God’s plan. God started with one man: Abraham. Abraham left his family and country because he trusted God. From him God built the nation of Israel. Through his chosen people Isarel, God brought us the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
God did all this despite the rage and conspiracies of the other nations. He did it despite the failures and disobedience of his people Israel. Behind the curtain of these political struggles, spiritual battles rage. The Bible records the failed attempts of nation after nation to destroy his chosen people, Israel, to stop God from sending his promised Savior. Nevertheless, God’s Anointed One, Jesus, was born just as God promised.
The Enemy tried to destroy Jesus, thinking the cross would be his demise. It wasn’t. It was his greatest victory.
God continued his kingdom plan with Jesus. Although crucified on a Roman cross, God raised him from the dead. From the crucified and resurrected Christ, God built a church and proclaimed the gospel to the nations. He did it despite the rage and conspiracies of the nations. He continues despite the weakness of the Church.
Nations rise and fall. Leaders come and go. Philosophies dazzle and are forgotten. Meanwhile, God’s kingdom endures. History’s testimony is clear. God’s kingdom advances despite the opposition, despite the appearance of weakness in God’s people.
When Jesus was about to ascend to the Father and entrust God’s kingdom mission to his disciples, they had a question for him. They were interested in the future of the nation of Israel. Jesus didn’t deny the importance of Israel, but he redirected their attention to the nations. Jesus’ followers were to be his Spirit-empowered witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Jesus told his disciples to witness in Jerusalem (nearby), in Judea and Samaria (the surrounding region), and to the ends of the earth (no limits). God loves the nations. When we follow Jesus, his love in us will compel us to share that compassion. The greatest expression of God’s love is to proclaim the good news about eternal life by faith in Jesus.
On another occasion, Jesus put it this way: Go and make disciples of all nations. Jesus expects us to be active. “Go!” he tells us. Whether we go across the street or around the world, we must move out.
But doesn’t God care about justice and righteousness and godliness in our nation and our neighborhoods? Yes, he does! How are we to pursue those worthy goals? Political methods win political victories. Political victories are fleeting.
Eternal victories require spiritual ‘weapons.’ The sword of the Spirit is the word of God. Spirit-empowered gospel witnesses have changed our world in the past. In the book of Acts, they were accused of turning the world upside down! We have the same gospel and the same Spirit. We have the same mission. We have the same ability to turn the world upside down.
Be informed. Vote. Serve in public office when God calls you to do so. But never let these good things be a replacement for the best thing: bold proclamation of the gospel. Let’s labor for the fruit that lasts. Let’s compete for an imperishable crown.
May the Lord inspire and enable us to make eternal marks now,
Brother Richard
brotherrichardsblog.com 