One of my favorite Pixar movies to date, is A Bug's Life. Not just for the animation but for a powerful scene in the movie when the grasshopper's who are just a handful, run the ants into submission but always providing enough food for them so they don't have to work and can enjoy their time off. They know that if they can keep a tight rein on things and ensure that no one stands up to them, they can continue they way things have been without any issue. Yet when one single ant stands up for the entire colony, the grasshoppers have to take action otherwise their comfy life is about to change forever.
That is just what is happening in our cultural as Christians little by little and why is that? Because we have become like ants and allowed it to happen. I have seen well-meaning Christians turn into what I will candidly call, "Wishy Washy Christians." They do this, because they don't want to be seen as someone making waves, rocking the boat or taking their religion into the workplace, or in government or schools.
As a Christian, the one place we can let out light shine is coming up in November, when it comes to this year's election. I believe the powers that are running things want us to continue to be like ants and not stand up to the grasshoppers in leadership. We choose to sit this one out, like we did last year because we don't like either of the candidates running for office. Here's something to consider, whether you vote or not, one of them will become president! You need to get off your apathetic stance and vote biblically for a candidate. To not vote is to vote for one of them. A politician who supports killing unborn babies is not something you can sit out. A politician who is willing to forgo the national security of this nation is not something you can afford to sit out! To let our returning service men and women to be treated less than homeless people is not something you can afford to sit out! Vote as biblically as you can for those who are running and stop trying to justify sitting out this vote. That IS just what the grasshoppers are hoping.
We live in a world today where things that are happening around us make us wonder, why should the Christian even care? Politics when it comes to the Christian is what is debated everywhere, from family gatherings, workplace lunchrooms, and in every form of social media. There are those who would say we shouldn't mix religion with politics, then what should you mix politics with? What does religion mix with? Are you saying that nothing should be mixed with our Christian faith? I would argue that everything should be mixed with our Christian faith! God invented government. How we live really matters, more so today, than ever before.
Acts 17:28 ~ "for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, "For we are also His offspring."
Paul the apostles argument was simply thins, that there is no place on earth, in life, where the Christian is not to be a Christian. That there's no sphere of influence that the Christian is not to be engaged. Wherever we go, God is... There is no place where we are exempt from being Christians!!! We are Christians 24/7/365. We don't leave our faith at the door when we enter our homes, our jobs or political debates. The Bible should be the example for us on how we should live our lives.
Proverbs 29:2 ~ "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan."
Jesus Christ gave the Christian a cultural mandate and that is first and foremost to share the gospel!
Matthew 5:13-16 ~ "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who see in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works an glorify your Father in heaven."
We are to be public Christians, not private believers. Where is Jesus to be Lord in your life? YOU are the light of the "WORLD." It means you are to let the WORLD see your light! We don't leave Jesus out of our lives. Are you living out your Christian faith every single day?
Why should the Christian care? Because we have a responsibility to God? We've all heard the saying, "Don't be so heavenly-minded that you are no earthly good." But I think that the modern day, 21st Century church is so earthly minded that it is rarely heavenly good. It's all about how big it can get, how much money is can bring it...what kind of Christian is that? It looks good but it doesn't do anything.
The Christian is to be a public witness in his world, everywhere, anywhere, because we care! You might be saying as a Christian, you're not going to vote in this election. How can you even say that? As a Christian you're called to be involved! That is a horrific manifestation of a fancied up form of apathy. You can't do that. You can't go there. Let me give you some things to motivate you, because it has motivated me. There is a day coming...
2 Corinthians 5:9-11 ~ "Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences."
As believers, we come from a long line of culturally impacting people, cultural crusaders, people of God who influenced governments in the realms of politics or governments... Daniel, Esther, Jeremiah, Isaiah, John the Baptist, even Paul used his political-civic opportunity to appeal to Caesar. They didn't worry about the separation of church and state, that doesn't even exist, yet many cases have been tried and won over something that doesn't even apply and millions are still believing it. Why don't you look it up for yourselves instead of being spoon fed what the media and the people in leadership are telling you?
We should all take up causes that are biblical and that is the very reason to vote in any election. There will be no perfect candidate running for office that appeals to everyone, so stop looking for one. Imagine what kind of political campaign Jesus might have in the world today if he was running for office? He never serve in the military so how can he empathize with what the military needs. He doesn't attend all the public places and dine with dignitaries and celebrities? He doesn't lead a political campaign aimed at winning anyone to His side. He hangs out with the worst of humanity and those that won't make a difference in the world of politics. He's homeless. He has only worked for his father's business as a carpenter. His parents weren't even married when He was conceived. Face it if Jesus were running today, He wouldn't even make it to the primaries!
1 Timothy 2:1-2 ~ "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercession, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence."
Did you catch that? We are to pray for all our leaders and people in positions of power. This is the biggest religious tolerance by Christians over anyone. We don't kill those who don't agree with our world view. We persuade men, not dictate, not coerce, not pressure, but by presenting a better argument. We've grown so weak in our arguments that when we feel ourselves losing, we pull out the "you hurt my feelings" card.
Christian pastors are commanded to be the cultural watchmen on the wall and Christians are to follow their pastors lead. We just need to make sure that our pastors are following Jesus and biblical truths. If not, get out! Find a safe place! The pulpits are alive because they have accountability to God.
Acts 20:26-27 ~ "Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God."
Those who hold political power exercise their opinion (they're not suppose to, they're suppose to exercise your opinion) over the will of the people. Our leaders are suppose to listen to us, and do the will of the people. Why have judges overthrowing the will of the people. Why did they ever think they could do this? Because we gave them the green light! Because we never speak up! They know they can overthrow the popular vote on an issue, because they know you won't do anything about it. We begin to be governed by a few, rather than those in government answering to us, we the people. If they can get Christians to simply throw in the towel and not vote, then they will win just like they did 8 years ago.
I'm proud to be an American, but the America in front of us now, is an America I don't recognize. Don't you think we need to ensure that our vote, the one we fought for the right to have, is counted? If you don't vote, it still counts and we all have to give an account to God for the choices we make. Consider looking at the candidates and see where they line up biblical on the issues that are important to you. How do you stand for traditional marriage? How do they stand up for our military? How do they stand up for our country? How do they stand up for our nations security? How do they stand for the rights of the unborn child? These are what you should be using as a Christian voter to vote for the candidate who most closely lines up with the biblical truths, not simply if they are a Christian or not? A woman or not?
Time for the ants to realize that the grasshoppers are hoping that you will simply look the other way and opt out, to stay quiet and just go back to church and stay there.
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