Politics

What if the problem in our nation is the church? The problem is not the “secular” world or the government, but us, the church.

What is the problem? I’m talking about the normal Christian responses to our modern world: that our nation is going to “hell in a hand-basket”, that our government is going in the wrong direction, that the younger generation is “insert-negative-thinking-here.”

This doomsday mentality is not a characteristic of a follower of Jesus Christ. What is the hope of Jesus Christ for if this hope doesn’t have the power to transform? If it doesn’t transform, then let doomsday come. Then the younger generation has no hope. But if Jesus can still transform lives, then there is always hope. Unlimited hope. A bright future awaits us.

Jesus didn’t come to heal the healthy, but he came to heal the sick. If our nation is “sick”, then Jesus is rolling up his sleeves and he is getting to work. His mindset is hopeful as he is calling all men, woman, and children to himself. Why not have the same mindset?

When it comes to politics, my observation is the church has the most hateful, disrespectful language. Our speech is not “gracious and attractive...”

We hate Obama. We hate the government. We hate anything different from ourselves.

I’m not saying you can’t believe passionately about the issues, nor am I saying that you can’t oppose elements in politics. But as a friend once said to me about approaching things in life, “first things first.”

Before we criticize, let’s pray.
Before we oppose, let’s intercede.
Before we are negative, let’s give thanks.

Are you praying for President Obama?

Are you interceding for the younger generation?

Are you thankful for government officials?

First things first.

If we don’t do these things, then we will not live in peace.

Want proof? Look at 1 Timothy 2…

2 I urge you, first of all (first things first), to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings (President Obama) and all who are in authority (the government) so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth

Interesting cause and effect:

The cause is:

• Pray
• Ask God to help them
• Intercede (to act or interpose in behalf of someone in difficulty or trouble)
• Give Thanks

The effect:

• Live quiet and peaceable lives marked by godliness and dignity

If we are not “living quiet and peaceable lives marked by godliness and dignity”, then the reason is because we are not praying and giving thanks for all people, the President, and for those in authority over us.

Will you join me in losing the religious arrogance to be a part of the solution?

First things first.