I don’t want to make it a practice to write about political matters, but this coming week is the Inauguration of President-elect Trump. I believe the United States has been given another chance to do it right. Without discussing details many, including myself, have been very disturbed these past eight years. Right is labeled as wrong and wrong labeled as right and the rights of some are taken away because some expect more rights. Will any of this change just because Mr. Trump becomes President? I doubt it. I think the church needs to awaken and stand up for what is right, to live Biblically. We live in the world but we should not live like the world.
We, who claim to be Christ followers, must pray for our government leaders, our church leaders, and ourselves. We must pray for boldness in the midst of unrighteousness and pray for more Kingdom workers. The church will triumph. Jesus promised that the gates of hell would not prevail against it as recorded in Matthew 16:18. At the end of Matthew’s gospel we read that Jesus commanded us to make disciples. Making changes in our culture requires changes in people. People need the Lord.
The church is responsible for teaching the truth of God’s Word. The foundation of life, family, and morality is found in the truth of God’s Word. Too long we’ve tried to build on man’s ideas and it isn’t working. I believe when God’s people stand on God’s truth we can make a difference.
We read in James 5:13-16:
“Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”
The first question James asks, “Is any one of you in trouble?” Yes, our country is in trouble, but God is still able and our prayers can be powerful and effective.
Dr. James Dobson says in his January Newsletter, “We also need to be in prayer for our President, his Cabinet, and the Congress, as they seek to reorder our Ship of State. It is listing badly, and only divine intervention can put it back on course.” Dr. Dobson is right. President Trump and his administration cannot put us back on course without God. Pray often for our government leaders.
The Apostle Paul gives an excellent summary for what we need to do.
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-3).
Amen Amen Amen.
Your post reminded me of one of my favorite quotes from Martin Luther King, Jr. “The church…is not the master or servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state. It must be the guide and critic of the state, and never its tool.”
Perhaps the recent election provides an example of how God can and does direct the church to be the change agent, in this case for a government. Lord, have mercy, have mercy, have mercy. Amen.