Christians & Politics (Part 3 of 3)

​Love you all, praying for you,
 
I just love God’s Word.  It tells the truth and how to live, as a person and a nation.  It gives warning – “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”  It is important as the people of the God of truth - to know what God says about our involvement in the nation and city we live.  What He has called us to do as stewards upon the earth for the time we live here – even while our true home is in heaven. 
 
Should Christians be involved in Politics?  Before you listen to today’s Daily Huddle, it is important that you first listen to Christians & Politics (part 1 and part 2).  They cover the two parts of politics and government, and what Jesus did.  They discuss the first two responsibilities of believers in God that He says we should do politically.   #1 Pray   Pray for those in authority – so we can live peaceful and godly lives in all quietness and holiness.  And #2 Know   Know the Truth – if it’s hidden or censored, it’s your job to find it.  Use your New Information Filter, and let the Holy Spirit give you discernment politically, so you will be like the Men of Issachar – who understood the times, and knew what the people of God should do.  God promised that He would send the Holy Spirit to lead you in all truth.  The people of the God of Truth, must know truth, so they can be salt and light to others, not deceived with the masses and destroyed for lack of knowledge along with them.  So what is the Third instruction that God’s Word reveals that should govern the actions of believers in God when it comes to politics of process or conversation? 
 
#3 Work  Seek and Strive for Peace in the city or nation you live in.  Jeremiah 29:4 – God says,… work for the peace and prosperity of the city or nation where I sent you…”  That means Do whatever you can - to make sure the righteous rule, not the wicked, so that nation is blessed.  
 
Psalms 33:12 – Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.  The only way a nation is blessed is if the righteous rule.  The only way the righteous will rule in this country – is if someone righteous runs for office.   And the only way righteous people will gain office and influence, is if other righteous people vote for them, contribute to them, and influence others to support them.  John 18:37 – Jesus said, “Those on the side of truth listen to me.”    There are two sides of truth, and two kinds of people.  Those on the side of truth – are on the side of what Jesus says, what God’s Word says.  Those who reject what God says, are not on the side of truth.  If you don’t know what side is righteous and what side is evil, look who is standing with you.  I John 3:7 – Dear children, do not let anyone deceive you, the one who does what is right is righteous just as He is righteous.  The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning.  The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.”  That’s what happens when the righteous rule, the devil’s work is destroyed, wicked policies are replaced by righteous ones.  But one would say, both sides claim they are right – both claim the moral high ground!  Of course, that’s where discernment becomes so critical…  That’s where you need the Holy Spirit, and a holy resolve.    The devil has always masqueraded as an angel of light.  Most on the other side of truth, aren’t malicious, just deceived.  But God says, (Isa 5:20) “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.  Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.”  Woe: “Sudden and utter destruction” is coming for those people and nations who will not turn from evil.   We live in a culture that claims that evil is actually good, they even claim that anyone who does not agree with them in their evil - is evil.  They claim what is good and right and just and fair for everyone, not just certain people – they call that evil.  And if you stand for what is truly right and just and fair, that you hate others or are racist, sexist or supremacist… That is the opposite of truth, but that is what the devil does… he slanders, lies, and murders.  But when the righteous rule, justice and fairness is restored, because just like a righteous God, when the righteous rule they destroy the devil’s work.  They dismantle the lies, policies and practices that result in evil.   What is the devil’s work?  God says the devil is a liar, and the father of lies, a murderer from the beginning, and the accuser of the brethren.  He is a slanderer.  Stealing someone’s reputation through false accusation – God hates it.   And he is a suppresser – he suppresses the truth by wickedness (Romans 1:18).  You can tell them by their fruit.  You need the Holy Spirit to discern truth, you won’t know it without Him.  Many if not most church people are ignorant of truth, deceived.  They prefer culture, or church, or false humility over righteousness.  “But we are supposed to love people.”  Of course, even our enemies, but not sin.  Loving your enemies does not mean accepting or agreeing with sin.  In a free country – most sin is not against the law, you can do what you want – even though it is not right.  You just cannot harm someone else, or force others to accept your wicked behavior as righteous – the very thing that those who control government and media, entertainment and education right now - are trying to do.  When God says we should seek peace, it does not mean we should agree with wickedness.  It means seek those things that will bring peace.   Some people think that loving or being kind to others means accepting and agreeing with their sin.  How is that kind?  They think it will make people love them.  It won’t.  Psalms 112:6 – Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever.  They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.  Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.  They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor, their righteousness endures forever; their horn will be lifted high in honor.  The wicked will see and be vexed, they will gnash their teeth and waste away; the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.”  When the righteous do rule, the wicked are vexed.  Not everyone will be happy, you cannot please everyone.  Those who want to control others, and remove freedoms, will not concur, they won’t be happy.   But the people of a nation ruled by righteousness – will prosper, and the people will rejoice.  The wicked will be vexed.  Proverbs 29:27 – An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, but one whose way is straight is detestable to the wicked.   Why? Because God hates sin – and if you belong to God, you love what God loves, and hate what God hates, and He hates sin, not the sinner).  But that also means, if a wicked man’s actions are not detestable to you, you’d rather approve them than resist them… how righteous are you?  Are you even righteous at all?  The wicked hate the righteous, it started with Cain who killed his brother Abel because God accepted his sacrifice as righteous, but not Cain’s.  When the righteous rule, the people rejoice, but the wicked are vexed.  They can’t stand it, and will do anything they can to regain, or retain power; lie, steal, cheat, or kill.  Because they do what their father does.  Agreeing with sin, will not bring peace, it will only bring greater sin  -  that the wicked will then expect to be agreed with.  Compromise with sin – always leads to greater sin.  And accepting sin, is not loving anyone.  God says there are consequences for sin.  God calls us to speak the truth in love, to warn them of the consequence, in the hope that they might find freedom, and God’s great love for them. 
 
When the wicked hate and slander the righteous for no cause, what does God call us to do?  Matt 5:43 – “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.  That you may be children of your Father in heaven.  He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”  Loving your enemies, doesn’t mean allowing evil to take over a nation.  Especially in a Republic where the people decide.  God says those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep it, resist them.  God calls us to speak the truth in love, (Ephesians 4), to put off falsehood, and speak the truth to your neighbor…  that’s what true love does.  God warned his nation, Psalms 50:21 – “When you did these things and I kept silent; you thought I was just like you.  But now I rebuke you and lay out your offenses before you.”  There will be a day of judgment for the wickedness in every nation.  In a republic, God’s people should do everything they can to see that the righteous rule, so justice returns, so prosperity can come because God’s blessing returns to this nation. 
 
Proverbs 29:2 – When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan. (Look at the gas pump, go to the grocery store, try to buy a house, or pay rent, try to walk downtown without getting assaulted…  That’s what happens when the wicked rule, when God is removed from a party’s platform, when evil is called good, and good is called evil.  When truth is called a lie, and lies are held as truth.  When truth is suppressed, and lies are promoted, when the innocent are incarcerated, and the guilty go unprosecuted, misery comes on a nation.  God’s blessing is removed, and the people groan under the weight of lies and injustice, and the censorship of truth.  Proverbs 28:12 – When the righteous triumph, there is great elation; but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.  Proverbs 28:28 – When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.  Genesis 9:7 – As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it.  In a republic - Be fruitful and multiply – more votes!  Proverbs 28:4 – Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who heed it resist them.  “Those who keep the law strive against them.” God calls us to resist the wicked, those who break the law.  Those who ignore the law, and let criminals go free, and their corrupt officials go unprosecuted, while politically persecuting those who question them.  Watch the fruit and you will know who to stand for, and who to resist.  In a Republic you resist the wicked by electing the righteous.  Eccl 10:2 – The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.  (And now you know.)
 
Should Christians be involved in the Political Process?  Yes.  As stewards they are called to, it’s their responsibility, so their children and children’s children will be blessed, not oppressed by sin, corruption, and tyranny.  To what level should you be involved?  At least Pray, At least Know, at least Work, strive for peace, work to elect the righteous so the people rejoice and the nation prospers.  At least vote, at least search out what the candidates stand for and who they stand with, and who stands with them.  Ask God to reveal His plans for you.  So you can do all that He has called and purposed for you to do.  PiVAT will help – it’s how you seek him consistently, so He can tell you.  God called David to lead a nation.  God raises up David’s in every generation.  If the righteous don’t rule in righteousness, the wicked rule, corruption increases, sin abounds, and prosperity becomes misery in a matter of months, if not overnight.  As a believer, and seeker of truth and prosperity for God’s people, and for all those who seek peace and pursue it.  Ask God to raise up the righteous to rule.  Ask Him who He wants you to support, and even if He wants you to run for office.  For if the righteous do not run, they cannot be elected, and if the righteous do not rule, the people cannot rejoice.  They cannot be blessed by God, because their sin separates them.  If the wicked rule the people groan under the oppression of tyrants, and the consequences of sin that come on a nation. 
 
Regarding Political Conversation – as a believer – be careful.  Seek the truth.  You have to know the truth, before you can speak it or support it.   In Politics of Conversation filled with lies and deception… Use your New Information Filter:   #1 Is it True?  #2 Where is the evidence?  (if social media suppresses it, to hide the truth, it is your job to find it)  #3 What’s in it for them? and  #4 What does God say?  Don’t become embroiled in political debate.  It serves no purpose.  You won’t change the model of the wicked.  Truth won’t matter to them.  But if you know the truth politically (because the Spirit of Truth is in you – and you have searched it out)  you may be able to influence those who are wondering.  Who see the consequence of the lies of the wicked.  Who have suddenly begun to question their model, or realize their model may have been wrong.  The wicked will always vote for the wicked, and the righteous hopefully for the righteous, but in a republic, the undecideds often end up deciding.  Here is where you can speak the truth in love.  Not to win them to your political party or opinion.   Your primary job is to win them to Christ – so they will live for eternity with Him heaven, and live free from sin and deception here on earth. And if they do, they will support the rule of righteousness over the rule of the wicked, and the whole nation will be blessed.   Even in your political conversation.  Do not speak against those in authority, whether righteous or wicked.  God can handle them.  Honor those in positions of authority.  And do not slander anyone.  God hates slander.  Say nothing harmful.  Do not speak ill of others.  Know the truth, and share it in love, but do not engage in personal attacks against people, not even the wicked.  It does not honor God.  And don’t let your zeal for righteousness, devolve into anger.  Anger does not produce the righteousness of God.  What should believers do regarding the politics of their nation?  Pray, Know, and Work -  1) Pray.  Pray for those in authority  2) Know.  Know the Truth – seek it out – even politically  3) Work  Work for peace – peace comes when the righteous rule, and the wicked are removed.  So work for the peace of the nation you live in – by working for the righteous to rule, so the people can rejoice.    
 
Ultimately - The key to America’s survival and prosperity is not political.  It is Spiritual.  Without Repentance, and Revival in this nation – it will be lost.  This is a spiritual battle not a political battle.  A battle between Good and Evil, between Truth and Deception.   2 Chronicles 7:14 - If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways.  Then will I hear from heaven, and forgive their sin, and heal their land.    Humble yourself, pray, remove wickedness from your own life.  Revival in this nation starts with revival in your house.  That is the greatest need of this nation – for it to thrive and prosper.  Repentance, Revival, and Righteousness.  Psalms 33:12 - Blessed is the nation – whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.  The answer –  is spiritual, not political.  We need God to hear from heaven, forgive our sin, and heal our land.  But for that to happen, His people must humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways.  Then, He will hear, forgive, and heal.   Then He can raise up the righteous to rule in righteousness – so that The United States of America will fulfill the purpose for which it was created by God to fulfill.  
 
I believe God will do it.  I believe God will save America.  I believe if we pray, and seek Him, for the prosperity of this nation, and turn from any wicked way in us… that God will do a miracle in our day, in this generation.  So His message of love and Salvation can spread to all nations, because we will be a people whose God is the LORD.  Praying that you will Pray, Know, and Work.  Pray for those in authority, and not slander, Know the truth politically, seek it out.  And Work so the righteous will rule, so the people can rejoice.  I am praying that the people of God will take their rightful place in the political sphere of this democratic republic, so this nation can return to the LORD.  So His blessing will return to this nation, so it will fulfill the purpose and destiny that God created it for. 
 
Love you all,
dad