It’s hotter than the fourth of July! Have you ever heard someone say that? Well, Independence Day is here—and I hope you enjoy the fireworks. We celebrate another birthday of this nation. How many more?
Speaking of heat—the political rhetoric is at fever pitch. I cannot recall the polarization of the politicians and the populace being this intense in my lifetime. To me, it is reminiscent of the divide that sparked the fire that nearly burned America down—the Civil War. There is nothing civil about the war waged each day in the media. Social media is hardly sociable.
We should be passionate about the moral decline of this country. I certainly intend to speak forcefully against the perversion on parade, the abomination of abortion, and such. Yet, we must always remember to speak the truth in love. A bulldog can whip a skunk—but is it worth it?
What would happen if we spoke to God as passionately in prayer about these matters as we speak about the problem in a Facebook post? I am not saying we should not at times do the latter, but I am concerned the church is not doing much of the former.
America needs Jesus. We need a heart change rather than a leadership change. Laws are important to restrain evil, but ultimately cannot remove it—only repentance and regeneration through the Gospel accomplishes that. Prayer to God and the proclamation of the Gospel are the church’s mandate.
President Trump cannot fix it.
President Biden, Warren, Sanders, or “fill in the blank,” cannot fix us.
The Republicans and Democrats aren’t the solution (though they may be part of the problem).
Socialism cannot save us—though it would doom us; neither can crony capitalism cure us.
The talking heads on your TV news channel of choice or those who editorialize through Facebook, Twitter, etc. do not have the answer.
The church has to decide whether we will be a thermometer that merely reflects our culture, or a thermostat that influences the culture.
Here is what God commands us to do:
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, 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. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, (1 Timothy 2:1-6).
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