If the last year has taught us anything it is that we truly do not know what the future holds. The next four years could be hard on the church and every believer. Or God could work mightily in ways we never could have imagined. Jesus could even return in glory meaning at this time we don’t even have four years left. Over the coming years, we could spend our time focusing on political issues but we have done that for so long to no avail. Instead, it’s time the church returns its view to winning the lost which has a much greater effect.
I truly believe that the biggest failure of the church has been the strong emphasis placed on promoting political and social issues. While allowing our calling to make disciples take a back seat. Jesus did not instruct us to go forth and fight for our beliefs to be made law. Or to spend our time arguing points and why one’s views are wrong or immoral. No, He simply called us to go forth and make disciples. Our mission is to first point the world to God. Then we can begin to teach them how scripture says to live.
Matthew 28:19–20 (ESV)
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
As Christians, we often can’t understand why nonbelievers don’t see things the same way we do. Because it all seems so clear and is even laid out in scripture. But the Bible clearly tells us that the wisdom of God is counted as foolishness to all those who do not believe. To those of us who place our faith in God His word makes complete sense. But that simply isn’t the case for unbelievers. Because they have no relationship with God all we point out to them from scripture will seem ridiculous, outdated, nonsensical, or sadly even idiotic.
1 Corinthians 1:18 (ESV)
18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 2:14 (ESV)
14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
Romans 8:7 (ESV)
7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.
Knowing that, let’s not spent the next four years trying to win people over to our political viewpoint. Or trying to convince others why they are wrong about certain ideas and concepts. Instead, let’s spend the next four years focusing on winning souls. On leading people to a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Because that is the only thing that will ever truly change their views.
When their eyes are opened to God then, and only then, will they truly see their errors of their ways and begging to align themselves with the wisdom of God’s word. It’s the same change we all experienced when we came to truly know the Lord. If we want to see our country get back to biblical principles then we need to point them to the author and not the issue. It is only through leading others to salvation that the church will see the change in this country it so desperately wants to see.
Paul had some views that radically differed from those of the early Christian church. To the point that he publicly spoke out against the church and persecuted believers. But that all changed we He encountered Jesus. All his views changed and he became the new creature he so eloquently described in his letters.
Galatians 1:13–14 (ESV)
13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.
Acts 9:18–20 (ESV)
18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. 20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”
Ephesians 4:21–24 (ESV)
21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
The same happened when we came to truly know Christ and the same will happen when those who have vastly different views than us are saved. They will become a new creation and their beliefs will begin to shift. Causing them to act differently, talk differently, and even vote differently than they did before. If you truly want to see the views of the world change then introduce them to the Lord and watch what happens next.
The truth is the devil hopes we will remain distracted by politics. Pointing to issues more than we point to God. Because the more time we spend doing that the less time we spend showing others the love of God that can save them. Directly resulting in more people seeing the church as hateful and rude which only leads them closer to destruction. As the church, we can’t let the enemy win. It’s time we focus less on the issues and more on God.
You may think if we stop the pressing issues that our country will only continue to degrade. But the truth is the issues don’t matter if our country doesn’t know God. If we don’t place the emphasis on God then people will only become more and more wicked. Deciding for themselves what is right and wrong just as we already see. They will never choose to align with the church if they have no relationship with its founder. Honestly, we shouldn’t be surprised by that. The truth is only God can save this country and restore the values it was built upon. It may seem impossible but with God all things are possible.
Matthew 19:26 (ESV)
26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Luke 1:37 (ESV)
37 For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Is all this to say that Christians should completely stop talking about political views, running for office, or voting? Not in the slightest. The issues the church often raises are important and our voice needs to be heard. No matter how it’s done we must continue to do what we believe is right. Ensuring the Christian view is expressed in our country.
But it must never overshadow our efforts to win the lost. That is our purpose and that is the only way we will ever see the views of others shift. No matter how good the intentions are the kind of change we want to see won’t come through well thought out arguments, marches, commercials, political campaigns, or anything else we try. The change our country needs is only going to come through evangelism. Leading people to salvation through Jesus and allowing Him to change their hearts.
What are you going to focus on over the next four years? Will you continue to push political ideology in the same way that simply hasn’t worked? Or will you take heed to the call given by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and do all you can to lead others to a right relationship with Him? The right way is clear. The only thing that can correct the ways and minds of those on the other side is knowledge of God. So let’s spend the next four years winning our country for Christ and we will undoubtedly see politics begin to change.
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