November 12
Open doors …
Depending upon whom you talk to, the election is still in turmoil. While the media has declared a winner, there are numerous lawsuits playing out in the courts in various states. To put it bluntly, it is a mess … but then in my opinion, politics usually are.
I will probably ruffle feathers with what I am about to say, but I think I need to say it anyway. I think it is time for the church to unhook her expectations from politics and return to what God has called her to do. Yes, I know that as Christians, we must vote the principals of Scripture, we must be good citizens of our nation, state, and cities. But, looking to the Oval Office instead of the Throne Room has gotten us off-kilter. We have tied our future to a mortal when we should be tied to the King of Kings.
Whatever happens in Washington, whoever is ultimately inaugurated in January, will not determine the health or effectiveness of the church in our nation.
In Paul’s final words of his Colossian letter, he wrote from prison. He was effectively under the control of the politics of his day. Yet he did not ask the church to pray for a change in political leadership that might make his way “easier,” he asked them to pray for an open door for his message. He asked to have the courage to speak about God’s Messiah, our LORD and Savior, Christ Jesus. Paul had his priorities straight.
“At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the message, to speak the mystery of the Messiah, for which I am in prison, so that I may reveal it as I am required to speak.” [Colossians 4:3-4 HCSB]
We are commanded to make disciples in every nation. We are commanded to take the message of salvation to a dying world. That is our requirement. That depends upon the power and wisdom and strength of the Holy Spirit … not who is in the White House, Congress, or the Courts. Can a political view make that more difficult, of course, no one is denying that fact.
But remember … Paul’s message of God’s Messiah while in prison changed the course of the lives of many in Rome (including the palace guard charged with his confinement) and eventually after his death, changed Rome.
