Hello, my dear friends! It's been a whirlwind since we last talked. And yes, I have written multiple posts but didn't publish them, as I did not find it appropriate to post what I wanted. Please know this blog is written with a lot of hope and desire to bring about God's kingdom in our nation.
So, Let's get to it…
2020 is over!!! And it has done some damage. Not just from Covid. Not only from businesses being shut down. Not just the racial division we saw. Not just the riots we saw unfold almost nightly. Not because of the financial crisis many of us faced. Not because we saw some loved people pass away. Not even the damage the church met with shut-downs and half of their congregations gone.
No, I think none of those compare to the damage the election brought to our nation. We have seen neighbor against neighbor and Christian against Christian became the social norm. I have seen a country I so profoundly love become so divided and it has steamrolled into the church. I believe it will be years, if not decades, to get us back to where we need. As I am worn out by the political season and hearing so many theories and everyone's take on them, I see a glimpse of light in the darkness…the Bride of Christ standing up and uniting others from different backgrounds and political spectrums in unity with the gospel!
So by now, we know that Joe Biden is our President and Kamala Harris is our Vice-President of the United States of America. This entails some neat things and observations I think we can pull out of this situation and figure out how the church can help in our time of need as a nation.
Here we go!
1. President Joe Biden can use our prayers. I pray for him for the same reason I prayed for President Donald Trump for his four years. Simply put, it's what Christians are instructed to do.
The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy,
"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness" (2 Timothy 2:1-2 NIV).
We don't have kings in the United States, of course, just as they didn't have presidents in Roman-occupied territory in Paul's day. Now, I do not expect that people who reject scripture's authority will find it necessary to give heed to Paul's instruction in this or any other matter. But for those who do wear the label of Christian and who do put their faith and belief in scripture, then one must either comply with, ignore, or actively disobey the admonition to pray for those in authority. And this includes prayer for the President of the United States, whomever he or she may be.
2. Political sides should not divide the church. Aristotle taught that the city-state comes into being for the sake of life but exists for the sake of the "good" life. I put "around good because that's the ground where partisan politics and thus the culture wars in America are raged.
What in the world is the church's role in the American Culture Wars? I think this is the question the church has been trying to answer now for decades and will continue in the days and years ahead. Don't die to the kingdom of God to live in the realm of party politics. I have seen people sacrifice kingdom ethics and morality for the sake of political party beliefs. The church is facing a culture of division- we should model unity. When the Spirit of God unifies the church by their love for God and one another, this acts as a powerful bonding agent that helps them endure the storms of life much better as a body and as individuals in order.
"Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind." 1 Peter 3:8
3. The way we look at each other should be in LOVE…Yes, I mean everyone. I just got done doing a sermon series called "Neighborhood Watch," which came from the basis of how we look at others and ourselves. I felt lead to do this series because of what I saw the last couple of months. My cry for the body of Christ is to stop looking at each other through lenses based on culture, media, and personal preference. Instead, look at each other as if God is looking at them through your eyes and see a person He created and loves so much that He sent Christ to die on the cross for them and their sins just as He did for you. When we do that with how we look at people, it's amazing how different people look in your eyes.
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God." -1 John 4:7
4. Peacefully protest policies and laws that harm the good of life or the common good and work to reverse them. In the last year, we have seen both sides have a peaceful protest and also display violence. And yes, Christians were apart of both of them. This is where wisdom and discernment are essential. What is the good life—particularly in America?
We, as Americans, have a unique opportunity than a lot of other people across the globe. We can protest against federal and state governments that we believe no longer governs in a manner that is rooted in the good life. The Declaration of Independence expressed why our forefathers sought to separate from British rule and go on to note in it, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that their Creator endows them with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." As Christians and American citizens, we have an excellent opportunity to seek the Peace and well-being of all.
"Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper." - Jeremiah 29:7
"Therefore, as we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." - Galatians 6:10
Violence will never solve anything in the kingdom of God!
5. This is an extraordinary moment for the church to teach biblical things like Justice, reconciliation, racial issues, and gender issues. The church is the beacon of hope to the lost and should be the center of a changing culture, teaching people the beauty of the kingdom of God. If the church is quiet on issues, then the world will come up with its views, and eventually, it will overtake the church and its real purpose as a false doctrine. We need to teach things we have been quiet on for too many years. What is marriage, human sexuality, racism, and the family set up in the church doctrine? If we were to lead the front of these conversations after all the division and strife I have seen from this political season, people would see Jesus in his proper form and come to repentance for their sins.
This season we find ourselves in as Christians has me excited. I believe God is working in the church, and He has opened our eyes to the things we have ignored. God is at work in the church, and I believe He will use us in this time to bring about a revival. I think I am seeing the church become awakened and sensing a purpose in this mess to bring about opportunities to show Christ to the lost.
Let us be the Church and Christians God has called us to be so diligently.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Abe
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