IS THE CHURCH BETTER OFF TODAY?
I don’t know, and fortunately it’s not my responsibility.
I awoke this morning with the question of the church running thru my mind.
I’m bombarded on FB by Christian friends who are scared for themselves, their family and their friends. And I have other Christian friends who sound like salvation has now come.
Will you indulge me to state the obvious? Your protection does not come from Washington DC and nor does your salvation come from Washington DC.
IS THE CHURCH BETTER OFF TODAY?
Hmm, perhaps I do bear some responsibility.
Regardless of which side of the aisle you are most comfortable with, we need to ask ourselves if we have ignored God. I suspect that at the very least, we have ignored John 15:7 by not abiding in Him. And therefore He doesn’t abide in us. So when we pray, well, we are merely, “throwing up a hope and a prayer.”
If you are scared to death, I would ask, where is your humble, trusting cry to the Lord for grace?
If you are euphoric with joy, I would ask, where is your humble, submissive cry to the Lord for mercy?
This election result, whether you consider it a loss or a victory, does not change God’s sovereignty. It does not change God’s desire for an intimate relationship with you.
And satan’s role in this? It is the same. He is a liar and a deceiver (John 8:44).
IS THE CHURCH BETTER OFF TODAY?
Yes, I know that I do have some responsibility.
One more thought needs to be addressed here. And that has to do with who your enemy is and who your enemy is not. Ephesians 6:12 says that your struggle IS NOT with flesh and blood. Romans 15:5 implies that if you have a sense of disunity with anyone, it is on you.
We are good at pointing out who our human enemy is, aren’t we? Because of that propensity to point our finger at our human “enemy” would you accept this practical take-away?
Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and He will take care of the details in your life, which is why we need not worry about tomorrow, even though challenges come each day, (Matthew 6:33-34). And remember, the same One who said He’ll take care of the details of our life, holds today and tomorrow in His hands.
So what will you do? Will you focus on the flesh or the Spirit? Romans 8:6 tells us which we are doing when it declares that if we do not have peace it is because we are focusing on the things of the flesh, and NOT the Spirit. Your peace or lack of peace will tell you what you are doing.
IS THE CHURCH BETTER OFF TODAY?
I suppose that’s up to you.
Blessings my friend,
That’s wonderful reflection bro Mark. When the church gets her strength from human governments, she is bound to find enemies where there are and get distracted from the real enemy. The church should offer solutions to human authorities not the other way round. They need the church more than the church needs them. Romans8:18-20 should be a wake up call for every believer. Previous verses state as many as are walking in the spirit, these are the sons of God. America and every nation needs the church not the other way round.
Antony Kenya
I was motivated to write this because of the imbalance of thought in our election results. This message is for me too, that I would seek first His kingdom.
Love you guys, and honored that you are reading these, and, hopefully sharing them once in awhile.
Brother Mark, when I think about your question, “Is the church better off”… because of the results of the general election, I’m reminded of the expression, “the more things change, the more they remain the same”. Satan tempts us to believe that we live in a time that’s unique. In fact, all throughout the presidential campaign we kept hearing that this time it’s different. Your question is a very old one. It’s been asked by many throughout history. The children of Israel asked it after being supernaturally freed from Egyptian bondage, the Old Testament prophets asked it when they repeatedly asked God for mercy and received it, and early church leaders asked it while enduring persecution. The question isn’t new, nor is the answer. You’re right Mark, the real question is, “What is the condition of our hearts”. Are we fully committed to “obeying God and leaving all the consequences to Him” (Charles Stanley) or are we too often concerned about what those in authority are doing? Thank you for reminding us that Almighty God, the Uncreated Creator of all things, “holds today and tomorrow in His hands”.
Your focus is on the answer or question, Brother Greg, that I believe Jesus would have stated. “Unless You repent you will likewise perish” Luke 13:1-9
The church is better off only if the Federal Government leaves us alone. We do not need legislation nor legislators favoring, or opposing us. Nor do we necessarily need a Christian as President for us to be healthy. The less government connection with the church the better. We preach the gospel, serve as salt and light, pray and otherwise influence the world in which we live.