Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7
Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”
Mark 9:24Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
I sincerely considered saying nothing about the recent election. For an entire day, I said little; I watched what other people were posting and I waited prayerfully to see if the furor over the campaign would die down. And I will be honest: I was waiting to see how my fellow believers would handle this thing.
For those of you who are not in Christ, I can understand your reactions. I’ve been where you are.
But my fellow Christians — seriously?!?!
I am not talking to all believers, obviously. Several of you in my circles have sought to remind others to trust in God, and I am thankful for you letting His light shine through!
However, the responses of others have run the gamut from gloating and crows of triumph to despair, rage, and fear.
Oh I admit it was a disaster, but not because of who won.This election was a disaster long before that, and I do not say that because my candidate of choice won. He did not.
Please excuse my brief political tirade here:
As far as temporal freedom goes, I firmly believe we Americans handed that over long ago when we allowed this nation to slide into something less than a true democratic republic.
Once we allowed it to become a two-party-controlled state and simultaneously shrugged our shoulders and allowed corruption to become more and more rampant, and even expected, within the controlling parties — well, I’m afraid that was the beginning of the end. (And as a side note, I must say that a two-party-controlled state lacks only a unifying factor to become a one-party-controlled state. But again, that is an aside…)
The truth is, as a nation, if this is truly a government “by the people and for the people”and it has become corrupt, it is because we have allowed it to become so.
OK, enough of that. [Deep breath. Exhale]
The greater truth, at least for those of us who are in Christ, is that our hope is not in any man-made system; not in Democrats or Republicans; not in chariots nor horses; not in democracy or elections or the strength or weakness of any party, government, or military. Our hope is in Christ and Christ alone. Period.
Come on, Christians! No matter who you supported (and with hesitation, I will tell you I supported neither Trump nor Hillary), not a single one of them will fix our problems. Our problems are not political, America. Our problem is sin, and for that there is only one solution.
All I am saying is this: if we are a people of faith, let us behave like a people of faith. Let’s redeem the time now, walking as wise ones and not as unwise. Let us never, ever forget that our God is at work and that He will bring about His purposes. Our response should be, as Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica, to rejoice always, to pray without ceasing, and to give thanks in ALL circumstances, realizing that “all” does not mean only the ones we prefer.
May I let you in on something that really is no secret? Things are going to get worse. Besides being clearly stated multiple times in the Word of God, it is evident in the Newtonian laws we have observed for centuries; particularly the law of entropy. Things always get worse.
Now is the time for us to stand firm. This is not the time for either gloating or fear, for neither represent the love we are called to be filled with and exhibit. Neither response honors our God.
It is written in 1 John 4:18 that “… there is no fear in love for perfect love casts out fear.” May I suggest today that implicit in the idea of perfect love is perfect trust, so if we are plagued by fear, it may be because we have an imperfect love of our Lord and Savior. Lord, please, help us overcome our unbelief!!
Brothers! Sisters! This is not the time to turn against one another. Please let us not neglect to ask our God, as David did, to set a guard over our mouths and keep watch over the door to our lips. In humility, let us recognize that our knee-jerk responses are most likely not the correct ones. Remember that our words are supposed to be edifying and give grace to those who hear.
My fellow Christians, let us not forget — let us NEVER forget — that we are called to take up our crosses daily and follow Him. In America, this race has not even begun to be grueling. Just ask the families of the twelve Christians recently crucified by ISIS for their faith after torturing and killing a 12-year-old boy right in front of his father.
In fact, ask the many who have been sawn in half, burned at the stake, shot, imprisoned, drowned, beheaded, beaten, flogged, and so on. Many of these had joy anyway. Many of these prayed, as Jesus did, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Many of them believed that God’s grace was sufficient for them, because it is. Even though things will only go from bad to worse.
Above all else, let us examine our faith as it is revealed in the pure and uncompromising Light of the World. If we have little faith, we ought to pray for more. If are not unified in Christ, we ought to pray that He will make us so — and be willing to let go of anything that stands in the way of it, even our preferences. We are not black or white, we are not slave or free, we are not Democrat or Republican or third party, but as Galatians 3:28 says, we are all one in Christ. Let us act like it.
Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,
2 Thessalonians 2:1-3Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.
2 Thessalonians 3:1-3
Running the Race 
Amen to every bit of this. And wow, I’m kinda blown away because I posted a very similar post on my FB at lunch today. I think it shows that we are really in sync with the mind of Christ on this one.
I feel the same way, it’s like you wanna shake them and just say, ‘cmon christians!!’ You know what I suspect, we may be seeing a culling of the flock. We may start seeing the luke warm get picked off. Especially because when Jesus returns, he’s coming for his true, faithful all-in bride. This might be pre-rapture work he’s doing, wrapping things up here.
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I really wanna share my FB post from earlier today, before I read this (btw, you nailed it here on how I think Jesus would have us react to this), ” A message for my non-Christian friends and one for my Christian friends. To my non Christian friends, I don’t judge you for your responses during the election time. I love you and I just hope I can be a light in your Facebook feed that illuminates just a touch of love, one that for me I get from my Heavenly Father. And if you would ever like to know more, please reach out to me, about being a follower of Jesus. He’s the best thing in my life 🙂
To my Christian friends, I have a divided message. I’ve been watching Facebook since Tuesday night. Some of you have done fantastic. Some of you have posted your thoughts in such a Godly way, one that states your thoughts but opens the door for conversation. I love that. I’m surprised too! I must say, some if the ones who did it best are some of the more “outspoken” ones on here. Kudos to you my friends in speaking wisely and knowing when to be quiet. Gold star for you!! 🙂
To the rest of my fellow believers, which makes up the majority of the Christian posts I have read… Why?! Why are you acting like this?! I’m pleading with you! Please stop. You have Jesus, you are an heir to the Kingdom of our Father, why do you act like this?! Please you are precious in his sight and God is omnipotent, why are you sinning?! You are wonderful and precious, you’re my brother and sisters, so stop! Shame on you. I see the division in either A) pro Trump or B) anti trump. The ones in A) are boasting without shame or care of the collateral damage. You are literally burning bridges in people’s hearts to show them God’s love. You are supposed to be the one to image Christ to them and you don’t care, you are selfish. You only care about proving yourself (republicans) right. You need to repent, stop and preferably give a public apology to mend the damage The people in B) have oddly decided to take on the same point of view of moral judging that the majority of their like minded secular (democratic) friends have taken up in recent days. I find this shocking. You are literally ignoring the Word where it says not to judge unbelievers(1 Co 5:12) and throwing your moral lot in simply because what is being said is popular in your social circles. When we knowingly forsake Gods Word and will and excitedly jump into bed with what is popular but sinful, that is called spiritual audltery. You are sinning and you need to repent.
Lastly, I’m not sure if my words really even matter. This is probably redundant. If you are truly in Christ and your are sinning in this process, I don’t need to convict you. The Holy Spirit will do that. If you choose to make Jesus your God, them the Spirit will grow you up and force you to abandon these errors as your continue on your journey with Christ. The Spirit will fully vet you out, if your heart is in it. If you don’t want to do that, if your heart isn’t in it and you don’t want to be in it, if you are lukewarm and dont care to make Jesus your everything and top priority, Jesus will at some point spit you put of his mouth (Rev 3:15-16). You choose, I’ve made my choice, I’m all in.
Isaiah 1:18, Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord:
though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red like crimson,
they shall become like wool.
So please reason with me my brothers and sisters, stop this foolishness, repent and step back into grace. You are too wonderful, too precious, too fought over and sought over, too much the apple of his eye, to act like this.
By the way, I will not post my political thoughts. This situation is too volatile. I do not want to ostracize anyone so that I may openly show God’s love to everyone.”
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And actually it’s really interesting because you covered the parts I didn’t cover, like ISIS. I think we’re definitely speaking God’s heart here, it’s sad. And you’re right, it’s only going to get worse!! If they’re reacting this bad now, I shudder imagining their reaction when it gets real!
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It really makes me very, very sad. It’s crazy, too, and can be difficult to understand. But like my good friend said yesterday when we were talking, it really is a pointer to unbelief. We are all guilty of it to some degree or another, of course, but she and I were talking about how so, so many people compartmentalize God as if He can be left at church and out of the morning commute or politics or whatever else. I suppose all we can really do is pray, pray, pray for the right words, the right timing, and ultimately for the right heart. My friend and I have both been guilty of falling into having a critical spirit when things like this come around, so we both hold each other accountable and pray hard for us and our families to be faithful and pure of heart. I do think, though, that I have never, ever seen an election as emotionally charged as this one. In part, I fault the media for constantly, constantly stirring the pot and keeping things simmering. But even there, it’s still our enemy working and doing what he does best: spreading lies, malice, and rage. I do believe that there is a purging of the church coming, and I pray that my loved ones and I will be faithful to the very end, no matter what the cost.
I rarely post on facebook except what WordPress does for me, but I did post Scripture and I have been more active on facebook for the last 3 days than I have in the last 6 months! I just really wanted to get a feel for what is going on out there, and boy did I ever. I almost regret it. But then… Oh, I want to share Matt and Alis’s post with you. Maybe I can stick a link on here…
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It’s pointing to unbelief, agreed. I think it’s either one of two things, either A) they are young, newer believers who just haven’t been sanctified and renewed to the point where it becomes habit to draw the Spirit into all things in their lives, so they are behind the curve, so to say, in this area and get caught up in it, because it is so emotionally charged (best case scenario in my mind) or B), it’s older (in spirit, not necessarily in body) believers who have purposely chosen to ignore the Spirit’s gentle touch in their hearts and minds in this area (politics) to conform to the mind of Christ (worst case scenario; PS sorry for the really bad run away sentence there!). It’s case by case for me, I know who the younger believers are in my circles that mess up here and I can’t fault them the way I can the older believers. Just encourage and love and correct when necessary. They’ll grow up in time, I think most of them have their heart in it and will change to Christ’s will soon. I think some already see the winds of change in their own heart from the Spirit’s urging. On the other hand, there are the stubborn older group. They don’t want to grow up. They don’t want to change. They want to believe what they have always believed. And that’s a serious problem. I think Satan is all over this group and probably sees some opportunity for weak sheep to try to pick off from the herd.
It is crazy. It’s just crazy, there’s no better word for it. It’s like watching a fist fight break out that turns into an all out, no holds barred brawl where people are getting seriously injured spiritually. At the same time, the secular part is so marred with brawling that we really make a stark contrast with our environment. All of sudden, the love we can show in this time of maddness is highlighted well. It’s like a painting in a huge well lit room with a thousand other objects in it. You turn off the lights and hit that one painting with a bright light and all of sudden, that’s all anyone is looking at. It’s contrast. And it’s a fantastic opportunity to us. It’s when we have people breaking from the ranks, so to say, and getting involved in the fighting that this great opportunity to show God’s love amongst the madness gets blurred. And we lose some of our efficacy to woo hearts to Jesus.
I’ll admit, I used to be on of them. Even as a younger Christian I was there. So I have empathy for believers who just haven’t matured far enough along to understand the implications of what they are doing. I want to come along side them and help them grow up while helping do damage control. Like helping a child throwing a temper tantrum in a jewelry store. You lead them, gently and lovingly, but firmly, out of the store and hopefully keep them from breaking anything. Of course, our ability to do that is based upon the foundation of the relationship we have built up with these younger or stubborn older believers before any of this happened. All the more reason to love without abandon everyone we know every day of the year, so that when chaos does break out, they’ll lend an ear to us and consider our words to be somewhat wise.
All that said, I’m excited for the whole family of God to be home with Jesus in our Father’s house. That’s going to be a fun day 🙂
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So, true, and a good reminder about being young in Christ. I have been there, too — a lot of zeal with not so much knowledge. 😉 That image of a tantrum in a jewelry store is perfect. This just got me thinking — it’s so good if we can surround ourselves with believers of all ages (in Christ, of course, not chronologically). I know I have areas I need to be encouraged to grow, and I can share with others in areas where He has already grown me. It’s also a good reminder not to become a stubborn older believer. O Lord, keep us teachable!
And you are right! Someday in our true Home, what an amazing time it will be. I often wonder if we will spend all of eternity hearing how God worked through all His people and praising Him as we see the pattern coming together in one glorious masterpiece.
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I just shake my head sometimes at my spiritually younger self…kinda like, I know you are just passionate about Jesus, but seriously Joel, just stop talking. Hahaha!
Definitely agree we need to be surrounded by all ages spiritual of our brothers and sisters. We need to keep stoking the fire that new believers innately have, while tending to them with wisdom, but we need to be sharpening mature believers as they do us, while helping them from being complacent and growing each other in wisdom. I just want to always have a malleable heart…that if tomorrow Jesus told me something different that I had never heard before or maybe had a tendency to be shy of, that I would receive it with open arms.
Oh I can’t wait to be home with everyone, present, past and future. The stories will be wonderful won’t they?! I can’t wait to hear them all. I think we’ll be surprised by some…I would bet there will be a number of stories of our fellow saints in heaven from past centuries gushing about how much they love us and have been watching us, rooting for us and praying for us over the decades. We already have more siblings than we can imagine who can’t wait to meet us that we don’t even know they exist. It’s going to be a world of love 🙂
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Haha, yes, I hear you about the younger self. Sometimes I still find myself saying that in my head… 😉
It truly will be amazing. Occasionally, I get glimpses of it here and it’s enough to sustain me and simultaneously make me long for more. Just yesterday, a sweet sister I have been praying for took a step of victory in escaping the enemy’s lies. It was amazing, and the ways God worked — incredible. It’s kind of a long story and I don’t really have time to get into it right now, but I am just a bit giddy and thankful today! But right now, my littlest (who is not so little) is waiting for me, so I’ve got to make my responses quick. 😉
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Yes! It’s those little glimpses that give such sweet sustenance to us this side of heaven. Oh that’s just wonderful to hear! Yes can’t wait to hear more when you have time. It’s a busy day to start the week for me so I’m limited myself!
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It really is so amazing… I do hesitate to share the story entirely because it is not all mine to tell. For now, let me just say that God kept her on my mind for a few weeks and ultimately caused me to forget my paper Bible and be using the Bible on my phone in service (very unusual for me) when a text came through from her. It ended up being a moment of spiritual victory over some lies the enemy had been using to wound and accuse… I know that’s a little vague, but as I thought about it, most of it is hers to tell. Interestingly, another friend had a similar story to mine and had also had her phone out at church, which she never does either!
Anyway, I just love little moments like that. So many times God has put someone on my heart to pray for in a much more intense way than normal, and it always ends up being amazing!!
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Understood about the vagueness. that’s really neat that God did that through you having your phone out at that time. I’ve noticed a number of times like that, where God just seizes the opportunity (or better, creates the opportunity and uses it for his glory) in those instances.
you know, there’s a lot of instances where God put somebody on my heart, I prayed intensely in the moment for them, and then it just faded away after a time (where it be a day, couple days or a week), and I never heard feedback from God or that person on what happened. Those are some of the stories I’m really interested in hearing when I’m home with Jesus, what really happened behind the scenes, especially in the situations where I had no visibility on what the resolution was.
But agreed, being deeply committed to praying for someone God intentionally places on our hearts is is a joy. Even if I never hear how the harvest part of the story ended up.
Hope you have a wonderful evening!!
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I’ve had those experiences, too, where I never knew why or what happened. I do look forward to hearing them on the other side. But I always, always feel that it is such a privilege when I do get to see! Makes me a little giddy, especially since I know He does not have to let me in on it. 🙂
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Here it is: http://www.rhodyfellowship.com/responding-to-the-election/
They took yet another angle, and still wrapped it up with some of the same words/concepts that we each did. To me, that is exciting because it’s awesome to see God moving in the hearts of His people!
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