Reflections on the Elections
- Nov 9, 2018
- Michael Blank
- Category: Prayer Alerts
- Media Links
- Subscribe
Some Biblical Reflections
LINK = https://stream.org/biblical-reflections-wait-election-results/
by Michael Brown.
I do believe these midterm elections are very important. And I do believe that the votes we cast can have massive implications for our families and our children. Still, I recognize that politics is not the gospel and that God’s kingdom will continue to advance regardless of who is in the White House and which party is in power.
As I tweeted on Sunday, “I absolutely plan to vote on Tuesday, and I believe these are super important midterm elections. At the same time, I’m fully aware that there is no political solution to our nation’s problems and our only hope is a massive revival and awakening.”
So, while we wait to hear the results of these elections, here are some important reflections.
1) Let’s not lose our perspective.
Regardless of a blue wave or a red wave tomorrow, God is still God, the Bible is still His word, and we are called to be disciples and make disciples. Period.
Unfortunately, as American Christians, we often get obsessed with politics. It’s understandable, given our Judeo-Christian foundations and the nature of our freedoms. But when we get caught up in the political fray just like the world does, something is wrong. (I emphasize this in my latest book as well.)
We do well to think back to ancient Rome, where many of the first believers lived.
There was no democracy. They had no vote to cast. And the emperors were decidedly anti-Christian (sometimes manically so). Yet the Gospel still thrived.
How much more should this be the case for the Church of America!
2) Exercising faith is very different than casting a vote.
We put our faith in a perfect Savior who cannot fail and who never changes. Jesus the Messiah is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8 )!
In contrast, we vote for an imperfect person who is part of an imperfect party which is part of an imperfect system. Big, big difference.
Consequently, if we put our trust in a politician or in a party, at some point, we will be disappointed and maybe even ashamed. If we put our trust in the Living God, we will never be disappointed or ashamed. And I mean never.
3) We are blessed to be American citizens, but we are even more blessed to be citizens of a Heavenly Kingdom.
Having traveled to 30 countries during roughly 200 trips outside the United States, I truly appreciate our country. And I consider myself blessed to be an American citizen.
But my highest loyalty is to God’s Eternal Kingdom, not to any earthly kingdom. In fact, it is my loyalty to God’s Kingdom which helps me the best possible citizen here in America.
That’s why when people shout, “America first!”, I agree with the sentiments and I disagree.
On the one hand, I do agree that it’s important to make our nation strong and healthy. In fact, a strong and healthy America can help other nations too.
But for me, there’s something beyond patriotism, and that’s the Great Commission. This must be the first priority for every believer.
4) To make America great, America must be good.
We all know the MAGA acronym. “Make America Great Again!” But, as I emphasized in Saving a Sick America, America cannot be great unless America is good, and America cannot be good without God-Jehovah.
To repeat: Our only hope is a massive revival and awakening.
So, let’s say there’s an unexpected red wave in the midterms, leading to more pro-life justices and the eventual overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Will that bring healing to our massive divisions? Will that end the culture of death in our land? Will that turn back the angry, rising tide of radical feminism?
To the contrary, it will only exasperate the divisions and enflame the opposition and hatred.
That’s why, along with praying for our pro-life justices and the end of Roe v. Wade, we need to pray for national awakening and give ourselves to the Great Commission.
5) The key to America’s future is in God’s House, not the White House.
I know this can sound trite, but it’s true.
We are the salt of the earth. But it we lose our saltiness, the nation loses its conscience.
We are the Light of the world. But it we stop shining brightly, the nation stumbles in darkness.
While I continue to address moral and cultural and political issues, I am committed above all to a Gospel-based, Jesus-centered, Spirit-empowered national awakening.
We have the ministry of reconciliation. But if we cannot unite as believers and if we cannot be Peacemakers, the nation will tear itself apart.
We have the answers to life’s deepest problems. But if we cannot live by the Wisdom of our own Holy Book — God’s Word — then our country will lose its bearings.
6) Our passion for the Lord must be greater than our passion for politics.
Just think. If we prayed and shared the Gospel and loved our neighbor and gave to God’s work with the same passion that we talk about politics, America would be transformed.
So, yes, it’s so important that we vote in each election. But it’s far more important that we love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and our neighbor as ourselves. We do the former (vote) while we emphasize the latter (loving God and our neighbor).
And that’s why, while I continue to address moral and cultural and political issues, I am committed above all to a Gospel-based, Jesus-centered, Spirit-empowered National Awakening.
It all starts with you and me.
As for me and my house, we will serve The LORD!