The character of the Christian cannot be separated from what the Christian does without creating a dualistic existence, a split personality that reveals an error in basic understanding of what it means to be a follower of Christ. There is no such reality as being a Christian in private and not in public (nor vice versa). Secularized Americans call for Christians to “hide” their beliefs when in the public square, but followers of Christ could no more do that than leopards could change their spots. If Christians demanded that secular humanists should hide their lack of Christian faith from public view, such a demand would rightly be met with derision. It runs both ways.
On the other hand, there are far too many Christians that have voluntarily lived dichotomously, failing to comprehend how all-encompassing the Lordship of Christ is for the life of the believer. There is no corner, no element, no strand of the heart, soul, mind, nor strength that can be withheld from service and submission to God. “For you have been bought with a price…” I Corinthians 7:23. To live as if we have partial control of our lives is to express the lie of the old bumper sticker, “God is my Co-Pilot.” NO! God is the Pilot, the Navigator, the Flight Engineer, and the Airplane. We are the passengers, carried by God to the destination intended by Him for His glory.
As Christians, we must give up the notion that we can retain any control over anything in our lives, and we must recognize that only God is sovereign. He calls us to obey: To love Him, to love one another, to care for the widow, the orphan, the sick, the needy, the poor, and the stranger within our gates. He calls us to seek His face. He promises to love us, to forgive us when we confess our sins, and to work all things for our good.
This is not fatalism. This is a relationship with the living God who provided atonement for our sins through the blood of His sinless Son on a Roman cross. The resurrection of Jesus on the third day proved His power over sin and death, and affirmed the sovereignty of God. When we turn to Him humbly in repentance and faith, He hears us, forgives us, and makes us His own! He alone is trustworthy. He alone is faithful. He alone loves eternally.
God holds presidents, kings, queens, and all other rulers of the nations in His hands. Why do we think that we have to establish a kingdom for God on earth when He has already done so for Himself? Why do we threaten war upon our fellow Americans when our politics go awry? Why do we advocate for violence and claim it is biblical? Do we fear that Man is more powerful than God? Are we afraid that the Lord’s plans will falter if we do not help Him?
Brothers and Sisters, I implore you, set aside the anxieties and frustrations in your hearts; give them to your Savior. It is not ours to rule the nations. It is not ours to set politics aright in America. It is ours to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. If we glorify and enjoy God as we should, then He will take care of the politics. If we care for the sick, the poor, the unborn, the unwed mothers, the shamed, the hurting, the homeless, the marginalized, the overlooked–in the love and name of Jesus, God is sufficient to sort out the rest.
Let us not be strident. Let us be humble, loving servants of our dear Savior. Do not dare to bind the conscience of fellow believers where Scripture is vague. Give grace first, with forbearance. As far as it is up to us, live at peace with everyone.
Mack Ames Books and Maine Moose Patrol 