Apolitical

     We Americans have a hard time separating different aspects of our beliefs. This is a good thing in a way since we as Christians should know that our position in Christ effects our position on everything else. That being said, we also need to remember that this is not our home. We have the habit of identifying our political or social beliefs so closely with our spiritual beliefs that when they get attacked we respond as if they were attacking God Himself!

     We worry about the state of our country, and rightly so. As citizens of this country we are granted the special gift and heavy responsibility of being directly involved with our government. Many of us have some pretty strong opinions about how things should be done and many of us (myself included) feel that our spiritual beliefs greatly inform those opinions. The problem comes when our side of the debate loses popularity, as it is today. So many of us begin to simply freak out and start worrying, fearful of what the future holds. Let me be honest here, you're sinning and you need to repent! This country, though great, is not our primary concern. These laws, though important, are not the laws of God. This culture, though woven inside us, is not who we truly and ultimately are. All these things will fade away in time and we are promised nothing more than that God will be with us through the good times and the bad. Do we need anything more? When you allow the issues of this world to damage your calm, to push you into worry and fear you are going against the direct command of Christ!

“Then He said to His disciples, "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. "Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. "Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? "And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? "If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? "Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. "If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith? "And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. "For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. "But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

(Luke 12:22-32)

     Our political landscape is constantly shifting and public opinion along with it. Many people today are concerned with what will happen should our people and government turn against Christianity, what will we do? Well I can tell you one thing, we'll probably explode in population and spiritual strength. We don't like to think about it but persecution has proved to be one of the great driving forces of Christianity. When Christ ascended He commanded that we go out into all the nations, but the early church mostly just huddled in Jerusalem and the surrounding areas. They enjoyed their communion and aside from a few exceptions (I'm looking at you Corinth) were fairly obedient, but they weren't 'going forth'. So what happened? Rome decided it was done with Israel and burned the place to the ground driving the early church along with the Jews out into the world. Instead of wiping out the new church it served to spread it further than ever before! Take a look at the Church in China today: though oppressed and hated by the government it is growing, and growing fast! Remember America is not in the Bible, few of our modern nations are. We don't need a country that agrees with us, we don't need a comfortable environment, we don't need an easy lifestyle, we just need Jesus.

     So be thankful for the lives we have, that we in America and other western nations aren't actively persecuted and attacked. Praise God for his Grace in allowing us this position of safety from which we can support and encourage our less fortunate brothers and sisters. In a way though, many of them are the more fortunate. Reading stories from “third world” countries and the Christians there will often show a picture of people who have a much stronger faith and a closer walk with God than many of us. They have little and so they can rely on and focus on God all the more. In a way, all of our blessings are just in the way. I like this quote from G.K. Chesterton:

“Meaninglessness does not come from being weary of pain. Meaninglessness comes from being weary of pleasure.”

     Remember, we work for a 'better world' because our opinions are informed by our beliefs. We cannot however, allow ourselves to be completely wrapped up in what the government or the culture or the world is up to. Everything that is not of God is against Him, we should not be surprised when they make decisions contrary to His word. Look forward to our Heavenly home and remind yourself that you're only passing through.