2 Thessalonians 3:6-9 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.
This past week saw the culmination of our efforts every four years to tear apart the country we call the United States of America. This past week is what every veteran lived, loved, and gave their all to defend. Some gave a little, and some gave the last full measure of their lives to protect this freedom to chose our elected officials. Veterans gave so that we could enjoy the benefit of months and months of nasty politics. Truly decisive politics is the rule and not the exception for the almost forty or so years I have been voting. It seems civility has gone out the door with the emphasis being on what is wrong with the other party or other candidate. Lacking are the firm details of what they will do to better serve the country they live in. It is a sad state of affairs. This series of blog article will seek to explore where Christ is in the arena of politics. We will open up the scriptures and find what there is to learn in the Word for the basis of our political beliefs. And along the way we may find what I know in my heart. Jesus is neither republican, nor democrat. He is not even a member of the Tea Party. Jesus belongs to the party of the Trinity. Jesus is a full member of the Triune God (Father, Son & Holy Spirit.) They make up this party, no one else. Contrary to popular belief, Satan is not at the same level as the Trinity. He is not the equal of Jesus in the good versus evil scale. Christ stands above and there is no being who works more diligently to to twist and deceive the minds of humans to change this perspective than Satan himself. When we see deception in shifting our focus from what is God-pleasing and serving we find Satan at the heart of the deception. When we lose focus on what is really important as believers we open our hearts to the deception that seeks to separate us from the Father. And that is what we need to guard against in our hearts and minds. No one earthly party is perfect. No one party can claim that they truly and fully represent Jesus. All are sinful and fall from the pillar of perfection.
But what about our own beliefs? In parts two and three we will look at two core issues, charity and prosperity as they relate to the bible and our political system. And at the conclusion we may find we are more confused than when we started. But that is okay because the answer for each of us in found in prayer. For it is through prayer that we find what is the will of God. We do not find this answer in a campaign slogan or banner. Prayer is where it is found.
PRAYER: Lord of all creation, we thank You for the blessing of our nation. We thank you for the sacrifice of this who have served our nation. The loss, whether small or large in measure allows us to continue to enjoy the freedom to worship You O God. Help us as we move forward to embrace Your will in our lives and the workings of our country. Help us to reach out in love, as You have embraced us with Your love. These things we ask in the strong name of Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.
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