The climate is pretty tense, bordering on hostile. Do you sense it?
People seem combative about this little word, democracy, which at the foundation is by the people for the people. Hum, let that simmer for a moment.
I find it interesting that people get put off when someone says they are voting this way or that way, others become utterly unhinged when someone hasn't made a decision or opt not to participate at all. Here is thing, I expect this from the world. What I didn't expect this is from amongst followers of Jesus.
Jesus already told us what is to come, and has given us the Spirit so we have His Power, Peace, Comfort, Help, Authority, and Guidance.
So I want to offer a fresh perspective. I believe we are living in a time of unprecedented opportunities to Campaign for the Kingdom. It is a time for courageous dialogue as people push politics. We can perform our duty to ensure they have the Truth in order that they will cast their ballot for eternity.
As followers of Jesus, we are following Him, not men or women, political parties, ideologies, philosophies, or the world's ways. Though we participate in what happens in many ways; it is how we choose to participate and Who we choose to honor that is of utmost significance.
Friends, don't be swept into the wave of deception; the gross darkness the Lord told us would come, which has come and continues to deceive many.
“If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.” 1 Timothy 6:3-5.
Stay close to the cross and remember Jesus is coming soon. May we be found honoring Him when He arrives.
“For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.”1 Thessalonians 5:5.
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The hard yet liberating reality: We will not change the world’s trajectory. Jesus has come ushering in Salvation to all who choose to believe Him. He is the Savior that transforms the hearts, souls, and minds of individual people, lets remember this doesn't alter the ways of this world or its doctrine of sin that leads to death. It does something more incredible–eternal life in the presence of the Living God.
We see this in His high priestly prayer:
“I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.” John 17:6.
“Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you.” John 17:7.
“For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me.” John 17:8.
“I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.” John 17:9.
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” John 17:20-21.
“The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” John 17:22-23.
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Beloved, I want us to remember, it cost God, and this is what should be on the forefront of our minds and burning in our hearts. Are we glorifying the One who died to redeem us? Are we surrendering our preference, ego, and emotions to His authority?
I want us to think about just how good, kind, and wise our Father really is. He redeemed us legally, righteously through the blood of His Son. God is righteous; He cannot go against His law, not even in saving us. His Name was on the line. My point: God saved us righteously—
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“It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” Romans 3:26.
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I say that to remind us of the ways of God. He didn't force His way, unlike man, who perpetually forces things. God shows us what justice looks like and that it cost. His vindication is righteous. He obtained the keys back legally and with authority through the process. God didn't skip any steps. He sacrificed His Son, and Jesus went through it all, so the legal requirements of the law would be met and fulfilled in us, who place our trust in Jesus. He demonstrates that He is sovereign, faithful, and can be trusted with every outcome.
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Trying to hang onto this life is futile. We have the Life, may we keep Him as the focus of our affections so we will be fruitful in our sojourn.
“And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”1 John 2:17.
We’ve been invited to be apart of the Great Commission. Let us not waste a moment pushing man’s agenda—we know what time it is. Like Esther, we are positioned for such a time as this!
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Beloved, I want to touch on a couple other things, specifically to the Church. We are in a time of great deception, which has even crept in to the church fense-sitting. Let’s be very clear, the devil wants people to believe there are shades of grey. The devil is crafty, evil. He will use anything even policy and politics to snare the unsuspecting to fall from the grace of our Lord Jesus to serve their own agenda, in essence serving him. Be watchful and don't allow your members to be instruments of unrighteousness in this very important hour.
The enemy is a liar. He has people thinking they can have one foot here and one foot there.
But look at what John says, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”1 John 2:15.
Notice, it didn't say our love for Him. He said the Father’s love is not in him. This statement is revealing, astonishing, and sobering.
“For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.” 1 John 2:16.
Read the word, beloved.
The Lukewarm church got one of Jesus’ most fiery charges. Why? Because lukewarm church has no Life at all. It has the appearance of life. But Jesus was outside knocking at the door. This is the profession of religion and not the possession of Christ, it has some of the “appearance” but lacks the Substance; it is bloodless, loveless, adopts the ways of the world, and void of the Spirit.
“So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”Revelation 3:16-22. (Boldface mine)
Our testimony will be weak, even marred, and some will depart from the faith in the push for the love of self aka pushing any kind of worldly agenda. Let us walk confidently as possessors of eternal life knowing exactly the times we live in, not swayed by professors of the faith but are void of the Spirit.
Remember, this life all of it—is not about us: It is all about Jesus, friends, and we just have to get this. This whole thing is the story of God–period! And we are blessed to be beneficiaries of His grace.
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Let’s get over ourselves and get on with what God is doing. The Gospel is the power of God to save and is what transforms our lives. We cannot afford to get caught up in baseless, vain slogans. We have the antidote 💉to the most painful, distressing disease: Sin. His name is Jesus. Let’s give the world Him, we will be much richer when we do.
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I am not political; my only allegiance is to Christ. And I am not here to tell you to vote one way or the other or ar all. I simply want to remind us this world is not our home, therefore, we have no skin in the game. If you want to make an impact, labor in the work that leaves a legacy in eternity. You will never go wrong giving them Jesus.
As God’s kids, we know where this is going, more importantly we know where we going, and even more crucial we know so many are undecided about the most important decision of their lives. Jesus is coming! The stakes are high, beloved. It isn't about a presidency, remember we are positioned at this very crucial hour to help people see the truth about eternity.
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Remember, Jesus died for the world, but His death ushered in a new creation 🦋 not a rebrand of the old one.
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God is not saving a nation; He is saving ✞ individual people, one by one and this is really important distinction. Our lives are a witness to Who and what we believe. When we get caught up in the world’s messiness, we don't have the capacity to render first aid (the Gospel) to the person standing in front of us. What I mean is instead of giving people Jesus, we place a bandaid on someone who is hemorrhaging in hopelessness. Remember, each second people are leaving the planet entering a Christ-less eternity. The thought of this is heart-breaking💔
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We've got to get off the sidelines of self, and get in the game of appropriating God’s plan. We are in the fourth quarter, and the last seconds on the clock⏳, friends.
I cannot impress this truth enough that when we think about oppressive governments lets rember Jesus was born under Roman rule. The early church lived under Roman oppression, yet they were exceedingly fruitful. The Bible gives us revelation for every situation; of we are willing to spend time in the word.
Let’s stop pinning after the world as though we are governed by the establishment, when we are governed by Christ and the Gospel cannot be shackled, even if we are.
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Let’s remember, when we assert our own way, it isn't trust in God—it is the exact opposite. We show our trust in God when we by faith do what He asks us to do and trust Him both in the process and with the results.
Final Thoughts:
Let this word be a call to mature in the faith remembering, the Kingdom of God is not a democracy: It is a theocracy. If anyone has an issue with surrender now—they are going to be shocked when Jesus returns.
The day is coming when our King will return. And there will be no debates. There will be no elections. Plain and simple: every knee will bow, every tongue will confess, Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Jesus will rule with the scepter of righteousness and perfect goodness.
“So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.” 1 Thessalonians 5:6.
“But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:8-9.
Stay rooted in the Truth and take every opportunity to campaign for the Kingdom.
Artwork by Kevin Carden
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