People Matter More Than Politics
Something I've noticed since coming to work with New Man a number of years ago is that many of our readers, and even some of our contributors, are inordinately focused on politics and the state of American culture. The letters, blog comments and opinion columns we occasionally run tend to focus on the big picture "state of America" and all the many and varied problems we are facing right now.
One of the things I'm concerned about is that we, as Christian men, do not get so preoccupied with these issues that we take our focus away from God and our personal faith.
Does politics matter? Of course it does. Does the changing American culture matter? Of course it does. Do they matter as much as your personal faith? Absolutely not.
California pastor Rick Warren touched on this subject earlier this month at the Assemblies of God General Council meeting in Orlando, Fla. He said: "What does God care about most? It ain't politics. It isn't changing American culture. He wants His lost children found."
You're talking about a guy who is heavily involved in the culture. He hosted a presidential debate last year. He spoke at the presidential inauguration. But you know what matters most to him, and what completely overshadows everything else? It's the fact that in the month of April, his, Saddleback, experienced a small revival and saw 1,600 people come to Christ.
If we truly want to change our nation, that's the kind of thing we have to pray for and seek after. That's the kind of news we have to focus on. That's the way Jesus did it.
Notice that when Jesus came to this earth the Jews were expecting Him to be a political leader, a powerhouse who would overcome the Romans. Instead, He was the opposite: a humble carpenter calling people to repent. But His life and the influence He had on His circle of friends changed the world in many more ways than a political victory could have.
Instead of complaining about the state of America, I'd like to challenge myself, and you the readers of our magazine, to let a change start with us: Let's live with authenticity. Let's share the gospel with our neighbors and co-workers. Let's build strong friendships of accountability with our fellow brothers in Christ.
posted by Editor at 12:33 PM
9 Comments:
Chris, this is a great post!
The thought that has been occuring in my head recently is this, "What would it take for me to walk in personal revival?" I can seek God to change the nation or get my favorite politians into office, but what matters most is that my heart (and the heart of every child of God) is full on fire for Him! That's my new goal & desire!
Just imagine if every Christian sought to be on fire themselves. What would happen to this nation?
"If MY PEOPLE who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray..."
Pierre
www.christiangrowthnetwork.com
a good article that addresses a rising problem sucinctly and with a spirit of godly concern. The recent outburst by right wing christian extremists is very disturbing."Bearing false witness against our neighbor" is strongly condemned in the 10 commandments,yet fearmongering rhetoric is a daily occurence. Christians are instructed to be lights in the world..not political ambushers..we are told to pray for those in authority over us and not to use derogatory adhominem attacks. Cut and paste christianity is prevalent (if we don't like it ignore it). The greatest hypocrisy centres around the denial of a socialist financial structure that existed in the early church and the elevation of modern capitalism by the self absorbed elite Christian right. Welfare style health care (medicare)for grannie is totaly ignored while the poor are denigrated and denied basic care. What would you expect from a muslim foreigner that was elected President. Bearing false witness is not cool.
Amen! Recently the Lord gave me the names of 20 guys. Some are Christians, some aren't. Some are family members. Some are my "spiritual sons"- guys I've led to Christ. Some are business colleagues. I've begun praying fervently for these men- for salvation, for spiritual growth, for opportunities to serve them. I'll never have the direct influence of a Rick Warren. But by faith I can extend my influence through these men. I'm praying for revival in their lives and it's bringing it in my own life!
Noval
I think you are correct, BUT, I think you, as many others are, are underestimating what is going on in this country politically right now, we have a president seeking alliances with Muslims, Louis Farrakhan has called him their messiah, (check and see how radical his leanings are), look at the movies that the speaker of the houses daughter made that literally bash 'evangelical' Christianity (the speaker said they were brilliant). Look at the ideologies of the 'czars' that BHO has appointed to 'assist' him, that are not accountable to anybody but him.
We are politically heading in a direction that even Democrats fear to go.
If you want to see the character of a person (the kind of person he is) look at those around him. The president has surrounded himself with radical people that want to change this country in a way that will take away not only our freedoms, but even our right to dissent. Even now, look at what they are starting to do, those that are holding these 'tea parties' and going to town hall meetings and talking out against healthcare, or against the current administration, are being called "radicals" and are listed on the home land security description of possible terrorist suspects. They want to take away the licenses of TV and Radio personality's but charging a "fee" if they are "fair" by their version of fair. The 'fee' would be equal to their income.
I don't want to say its the same, (but maybe it is) what I'm describing is EXACTLY what happened in Germany that allowed Hitler to do what he did.
Did you ever notice, that any 'regime' has pictures of its leader all over the place, they lift him up to a spot of reverence even, Ghia Obama's?? They sell t shirts in the NBC store that say "Yes we did" as in they helped elect him.
Yes our person faith, walk, and our commission are extremely important, but if we aren't careful, ignorance and apathy will put us in the same place as other dictatorships.
Mind you, the President has advisors that think that Chavez's dictatorship in Venezuela is a great model for ruling, and the president has come out saying he wants a civilian security force that rivals the strength and power of our military, hmmmm, didn't Hitler do this?
The more I read, and the more I watch of our presidents speeches (pre and post election) and the writings and speeches of his 'czars' the more fearful I am for this country and our freedom, not only personal, but religious. Don't believe for a second that things are okay, we need to return to our roots as a country, just as we need to turn/return to God, God WAS the foundation of this country, He is what made it great, and the president has now announced we are no longer a Christian nation, funny??
I do believe what you say, but we need to be VERY careful of our politics, or we (Christians) may very well become the Jewish people of this century in this country.
A good article. Though am not an American nor do I live in America, I believe the message in your post applies to all nations. The happenings in the political arena is a worldwide phenomenon. Our duty is to carry out Christ's instructions because the end of time is drawing near. That's my opinion.
I hear what Jim is saying, we should be cautious, but my faith is in the Soverignity of our Lord Jesus Christ. I was listening or watching a couple of ministries I follow both broadcast nationally. The invited guest both proclaimed their faith in the USA as much as they did God. This may have been before Obama was elected. I would think God would have nothing of this(not that I speak for God just my opinion). Obama could not have been elected without our Soverign Lord's permission. Note I said permission not blessing. The Lord has often used enemy forces to subdue His people. The Old testament affirms this. We need to stay informed and alert to political winds but let the Church be the Church, saving souls and minsitering to the poor the prisoner the widow and the orphan and Loving your neighbor as yourself, and loving the Lord your God with all your heart against such there is no force save God alone that can thawrt our victory. Love James Reid Ross
Are you kidding me? If Health Care Reform, as it is written, passes, our taxes dollars, yours too, will be used to pay for abortion. Are you okay with that? So what would Jesus do? Sit quietly and focus on loving his neighbors? NO! He'd turn over the tables at Congress and admonish them. Let's love our neighbors well, tell them about Christ, and also protect what we have left of One Nation Under God. We sat too quietly in the last election and now we are paying for it. Wake up, Church. Wake up Men of God. The two do not have to be separate. We can accomplish both for Kingdom purposes.
Anonymous,
Thanks for the comment. Personally, I'm in agreement with you that the proposed health care reform is a bad thing. If you want to protest it, go for it. Call you representative and tell your neighbors.
The point of my article is that political activism should take a backseat to matters of faith. Let's make sure we've done everything we can to live with integrity and love our neighbors first, and then offer political opinions.
Chris,
That is true, but there are many things outside of healthcare that are occurring in our government that is not only anti-Christian, but will stop the very religious freedoms we currently enjoy, if we, like the people of other countries where this has happened, sit by and do nothing, when the laws are passed, and we have been cast aside, it will be too late.
You make think I am making mountains out of molehills, 10 months ago, I would have said the same thing. But the more I look, the more I am afraid for this country, Look what Chavez has done since taking over Venezuela.
They are already proposing to do away with term limits for the Presidency.
I believe one must either think this is a great nation, under God, heading in the wrong direction, be for the end times, and hope this is ushering it in (which is very possible, but I won't be led like a sheep to slaughter), be for socialism/fascism, or a dictatorship, or just be truly ignorant, and ignorance is a lame excuse, the information is out there, all over he internet, and non-mainstream news media.
This should not be brushed aside until it is too late.
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