Now I don't want to get off on a rant here...

2004 Election: Does it really matter?

RELIGION

This is a question that I have been gripped with lately, becoming overwhelmed by all the political partisan rhetoric that fly’s about in the news. Who will win and how imperative it is for our country, has been an over-arching focus in this election. We have been laboring over these questions since the Presidential campaign began its primary season in 2003.

Jollyblogger reminds us of this very important passage John 15:18-19:

"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you."

We Christians have gotten very "up in arms" in the last few decades about our nation's disrespect of Christians, but Christ promised this to all who would follow Him. It's the nature of the beast of being a Christ-follower, and we should not be alarmed, but go on loving, serving and witnessing, and entrusting ourselves to the keeper of our souls.

Peter offers up more words of comfort and offers some direction 1 Peter 3: 14-16:

"But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame."

What stands out to me about this passage, beyond the comfort of God’s faithfulness, is the idea of gently and reverently defending God’s word, His laws and His spirit that exist in my heart. They are not put there by my own accord, but by the blood of Christ and His grace, and cannot be defended by my own strength but only by the movement of the Spirit in my heart. So Christians need to stand up and give an account, of the amazing grace and glory of Jesus Christ.

Certainly one way, and a very important way, to do this is when we choose the leaders of our country. Since we must submit to our leaders and their authority (Romans 13: 1-3), how important is it that these be men and women after the Lord’s own heart? It seems rather imperative to me.

However, I am also able to take comfort in the fact that even when these leaders, these governing authorities are not seeking the Lord’s will, that His will is done and they are living lives that glorify God. Even in their defiance, they show God’s sovereignty. It is in inescapable and I trust in Him, as each coin reminds us all.

Until His return our leaders will rise and fall, they will seek the Lord’s will and they will ignore it completely. And I remember “Do not fear them, for the LORD your God is the one fighting for you.” (Deuteronomy 3: 22) So if you value the God of the Bible, yes I think it really matters.

Posted by price at June 3, 2004 01:49 PM