NRBC Blog

Recently, I had someone ask me about a believer’s involvement in government. My reply was that we are not called to reform the world but to introduce the world to the One Who will transform it. I also related Paul’s admonition that we should be faithful to pray “for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” (1 Timothy 2:2) We are to “fear God and honor the king.” (1 Peter 2:17) That’s just being a good citizen and conducting oneself intelligently!

There is another side to the question, however. Americans are in a unique position, probably the only time the church has existed in this peculiar environment. In America, we are the church, but we are also the government. It is “we the people”, and we are the people. And, the church in not an institution or buildings; it also is people, and we are those people. That means that there really can be no pure separation of church and State! I agree, of course, that where there are “church governments”, they must not be commingled with the State; and, the State must “pass no laws respecting the establishment of religion.” That being said, the church in America (true believers) is still the government; IE, “we the people”! We have all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of every other citizen.

All this is an interesting dilemma, one that the Bible does not specifically address. Or, does it? If I am the government and I am to pray for the government, then I must pray for myself and others like me. I must pray for wisdom, courage, and direction to exercise a righteous involvement in the government of which God, in His sovereignty, has made me a part. And, if the purpose of government (from the believer’s point of view) is to allow us to “lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence”, then I must interact, vote, and possibly even lead in that government. And, in order to achieve those ends, I must vote and promote my biblical convictions. To do anything else would be contrary to my calling.

I admit that it is often enticing to just go into an ecclesiastical shell and let the world govern itself, but that will not work in America. If the godly do not vote and involve themselves in government, we will just “vote” for and support the ungodly who will. To abstain is to vote with the majority! We must not be intimidated by the judgments and accusations of liberals who cry “separation of church and state” and even some conservatives who think religion has no place in government. Religion is already in government because we are America!

The godly have always had a voce. It’s time to use it! Speak up America! Speak what you believe and what you are. In America, it’s the right thing to do.

A farmer works from dawn to dusk, and at the close of his day, he stands at the end of his field, looks at the meticulously ploughed furrows and says with pride “Look what I did!”

A truly committed believer works from dawn to dusk, and at the close of his day, he sits silently in a chair looking over his “field”, and says, “Wow! Who did that?”

The difference is the source of our accomplishments. A farmer’s labor is the result of the sum total of his commitment plus his ability. A believer’s is the result of the sum total of his commitment plus God’s ability. Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Php 4:13)

Most Christians spend a lifetime either striving to serve the Lord or regretting that they don’t. They want to be effective and accomplish something significant for the Master, but they continually find themselves falling short because they think they lack the ability. Of course, it is usually fleshly distractions that demean their work, but if you challenge them about their lack of production, they will just claim inadequacy and say, “I just can’t do it;” IE, they haven’t even reached the first part of the formula, commitment!

On the other hand, there are those who really do love the Lord and appear to be making an honest effort. They are at worship and small group almost every week, and they volunteer. But, they never seem to “cut loose” and soar. They are earth-bound and see themselves as weak and less gifted. They want to do more for the Lord, but it just doesn’t seem to be in them.

I think of these things, and I am drawn again to Paul’s confession. It never was Paul because Paul could never have been enough. Yes, the commitment was there, and the effort was there, but the results far exceeded his abilities. He could never take the credit because he could never have done it in the first place. In the end, he could only boast that he had fought hard and finished. The production was a result of Christ’s strength, not his. In other words, he had lived beyond his own capability.

How sad! The majority never reach the commitment stage. Most of the remainder never get above the frustration of not living up to their own abilities. Yet, even if they did, it wouldn’t be enough! God expects us to far exceed that, else we would receive the credit and not Him. We are to live beyond our own capability.

I can do “all things.” Through my own commitment and ability? No, “through Christ” Who “lives in me.”

I don’t know about you but I am already tired of the next presidential election. As important as it is, the whole ordeal has begun so early that it has become more of a show than a campaign. However, with our nation’s entertainment mentality, I really shouldn’t be surprised.

As it is shaping up, unless a true conservative throws his hat into the ring, I don’t know what choice I will have. I am afraid I may end up voting against someone rather than for someone, and that is a sad state of affairs. I certainly do not want to be a pessimist, but it is hard to find a politician I trust who shares my values. A candidate like Rudy Giuliani is certainly a strong and capable leader, but he has liberal social leanings. Others who look conservative on social issues either do not have the experience or have backgrounds that make them questionable. What’s a voter to do?

Once again, I am drawn to 2 Chronicles 7:14. The spiritual ball has always been in the court of the true believer. We are responsible for straightening up our act and then trusting God to straighten up the nation. That does not mean that I should not exercise intellectual discernment in choosing a candidate, but it does mean that I must begin that process by examining myself and ensuring that I am right with God before I do it.

I suspect that the next presidential election will only get more dramatic. Hats may begin to fly within the next few months, and maybe one of them will represent a true conservative. (For me, one in the fashion of Ronald Reagan!) But, regardless of who is in the running, two things are assured; one will win, and a sovereign God will still be in control. May our nation choose to be on His side!

Well, the terrorists are at it again. England and Scotland are in their sights and have people living “on the edge.” It’s just a matter of time before we join them again. I heard this morning that prognosticators are predicting some major hits or at least attempts this summer. Personally, I agree with those who have long said, “It’s not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’.”

The problem with all this is that it is very reminiscent of Vietnam. Anyone who served in that war knows that terrorists are hard to defeat. When the enemy looks like, dresses like, and sometimes talks like you, how do you tell the difference? Add to that the fact that a lone man sitting up in a tree or hiding in a hole is much more difficult to detect and defeat than an advancing army. We discovered that in Southeast Asia. The only difference today is that the tree is now a bus, car, train, or passenger flying on a commercial aircraft. The whole thing can be very unnerving!

As I was thinking about that this morning, however, a scripture passage came to mind, “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.”

Did you hear that? “The terror of the Lord!” It’s the word “phobos” from which we get phobia. It means “terror, dread, fear that strikes at the very heart!” (2 Co 5:10-11) Yes, Paul feared God! He did not fear losing his salvation, but he did fear upsetting his Heavenly Father and missing out on a reward. He knew that he must one day stand before Him and did not want to be disappointed when that day arrived. Love “constrained” him (2 Cor 5:14), but fear “inspired” him!

We are afraid of so many things, most of them beyond our control. I am afraid that terrorism is here to stay. Our children and grandchildren are destined to live amid threats and dangers. When your enemy will only be satisfied with your total annihilation, even surrender is not an option! Yet, there is something else. My grandmother used to say, “This world and one more!” After the terrorists, after stock market crashes, civil unrest, and pandemics… there is still God! Man will face Him… ready or not… and the results will be eternal. I’m not saying that we must live in fear. I am only suggesting that God deserves our highest devotion and respect. And, if you are not right with Him… a little terror is not bad!

I am glad that governments are at least trying to prevent terrorists from carrying out their dastardly plans. Most of them will be prevented… some will not! “This world and one more!” I think I will take this world seriously but give my heart to the next.