5 Healthy Election Perspectives for Frustrated Believers.

-


5 Healthy Election Perspectives for Frustrated Believers.
By March Villareal
It’s getting crazy out there during this election season.  Is there anything we can do to help calibrate our thinking? I figured that I’d share some points to refresh our minds. Here are some things to do and remember.

1. Celebrate The Process.
American elections are the best examples of a peaceful transfer of power.  Think about it: in other countries and cultures, massive casualties are incurred when one power over-takes another during civil wars, coups, and revolutions.  Or in the case of monarchies, individuals are placed in sovereign power without the say of the people.  As much as we are disgusted by this year’s election craze, we have to step back and remember that this process is one of the most amazing inventions of society, and the alternative could be immediate and wide-spread carnage, or unchecked power.
2. Don’t Be Lazy.
Do the hard work of research.  The easy thing to do is go by what we assume. Sticking to parties or people because of their history is not the smartest thing to do. Shakespeare said “A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet”. The reverse is also true: “if it quacks and has feathers, then it might be a duck”. In other words, follow moral commitments and leadership capabilities, regardless of titles and affiliations.  But how would you know unless you really do the research?
3. Not Called to Activism.
We are called to stand for moral and Biblical principles, but you never see a Biblical example of God’s people participating in political activism. Why? Because of point # 5 in this article! What we are instead called to do is pray for our nation, pray for our leaders, and submit to them, even the harsh ones. Wow, that’s a radical perspective!
4. The Church Thrives in Pagan Nations.
American Christians are so allergic to non-Christian leaders and situations.  But think of the churches in Ephesus, Philippi and Corinth.  None of those were planted in Christian nations. In fact, throughout the history of the church, the church body is purified and strengthened the most when it is surrounded by a non-believing, hostile culture.  Why is that? Answer: (1) superficial, non-committed believers leave and the committed ones stay; (2) the church is surrounded by missional, evangelistic opportunities.  So let’s think soberly about how we pray for our country.
5. The Lord Reigns.
Daniel 2:21 says “He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding”. Romans 13:1 says “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”  So at the end of the day, the result of every struggle for power has not escaped God’s knowledge. In fact, if you really believe these verses, God is involved in the political results of every nation. So let’s trust Him. 
Conclusion
So step back, take a breath, renew your mind, don’t be lazy, do your part, and trust God. He is the only constant thing during this season of massive change.  Let’s allow these situations to push us closer to God.
- March Villareal 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Problem with Grace

-
There's no problem with grace, of course. The problem is the wrong understanding of grace.  There are God-fearing, well-meaning Christians who have somehow gotten the wrong understanding that any talk about holiness is legalism.  Somehow they've gotten the idea that living towards a good and pure life means that you are being a legalist.  In other words, because they feel that we are saved by grace through faith (which we are), that somehow the burden to live good, obedient lives is no longer a requirement.  Some call this a "hole in your holiness".  That is bad theology. We are called to be holy, but we are saved by grace. To some they feel like that's a contradiction.  But the balance is that you are not trying to earn your salvation- that's why it's grace. But you are called, commanded, directed, empowered, expected, and demanded to live a holy life because it honors God and it pleases Him.  1 Peter 1: 16 for it is wri...
Read more

How To Answer Well

-
How do you do anything well? Answer: Practice! Here’s a helpful phrase: "your first time should not be your first time ". In other words, the first time that it really counts, should not be the first time you've ever done it. That's true for sports, speeches, performances, and even responding Biblically. If you’re honest, there are questions that you feel unprepared for, and you hope no one will ever ask you. Whether it's about salvation,   political and moral perspectives, or theological interpretations – all these big topics can be very intimidating. So what shall we do? Avoid them all altogether?   Stay away from anyone who might ask them? Or… get ready now so we can be prepared to answer "in season and out of season “? I would advise we get ready now. Here are 3 simple steps: 1. Make a list of questions and subjects you are uncomfortable addressing. 2. From that list, start writing down how to answer them. Remember, answer the way you woul...
Read more

The Violence of God

-
Protests against God’s violence are fairly common. And these complaints are used to deny His existence. But usually, these gripe statements lack an anchor to the reality of God’s character. As those who know God, we are not repelled by His character. Rather, we  are more and more attracted to it.   I wonder if one of these protestors of God’s violence went on a foreign vacation with his family. And suppose after they split up to see more of the foreign sites, his wife and daughter were taken by mal-intended men wishing to rob them of their material and bodily possessions.   Now the man is hopeless and powerless, so he calls out his government to rescue his family from their captors. In response, special military units were sent to save his loved ones. And in the efforts to rescue the captured family, it became necessary for these elite warriors to pour out violence and cruelty on the men who held this protestor’s family.  Do you think this same man who co...
Read more