Well, it’s over and our team didn’t win (no, I’m not talking about the Georgia/Florida game). Barack Obama and Joe Biden have been elected to serve as the next President and Vice President of these United States. For many, this will be a day of shock and sadness, fear and dread. I woke up this morning with a threatening spirit (i.e., demon) trying to push me to fear. My wife suggested that it might be the appropriate response, given the position these two men have on the moral issues (e.g., abortion, gay rights). I think she is right. Feeling threatened might be just what we need; the proverbial wake-up call. Perhaps it was a spirit of fear trying to drawing me in – using the threat to its advantage. Fortunately, I have the word of God to guide and encourage me.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2Timothy 1:7
With this verse in mind, I would like to offer a few constructive responses.
Power: Begin fighting battles where we have authority, instead of trying to establish our authority where we don’t belong. The church must recognize that the American political system has failed her – as all desires for a “king” will. When Israel demanded a king (to be like all the other nations), God passionately warned them that they would regret their desire (See Samuel 8). They persisted and God gave them what they asked for. When Jesus came bringing the Kingdom of Heaven, He was offering a redo; and the church traded the kingdoms of this world for His; that is, until Constantine convinced them that they would be better off integrated with the ruling government. It wasn’t long before the “Christian” government began martyring those that refused to go along. They had become polluted and corrupted. “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” James 4:4. It seems to me that the church has proven its inability to walk the fine line of friendship to the world and God – many times. When will we stop trying?
Scriptures tell us that “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (worldly), but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, and casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God…” 2Corinthians 10:4-5. Ephesians 6:10 exhorts us to “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” The “power” mentioned here is “His dominion authority”, or “His power to reign”. It is authority we are to be strong in – against the principalities, powers and rulers of this dark age (v. 12). No, these are not our political enemies. They are fallen angels that serve satan in a great demonic army. Our authority is in the spiritual realm; and we have been given authority over satan and his forces. Lastly, this same verse reminds us that our battles are not with flesh and blood… if we are fighting in the authority we have been given.
Love: Obey and trust the Lord with love. Is it possible that we are being distracted from loving the Lord with all our heart, mind and strength? Are we loving our neighbors as ourselves (even the ones that voted “wrong”)? The church has given its heart to the American Dream; and the political system has become an idol. Many in the church continue to pray that God would dress up our idol, rather than tear it down. The church must repent and return to her first love. He is our only hope. He has a dream for each of us that is immeasurably greater than what is becoming the American Nightmare for the church.
The enemy’s most lethal strategy has been to divide and conquer. Oh, how he must laugh at us for thinking this strategy was our invention. He began using it with the angels, and we’ve been victims of it since the Garden of Eden – separate them from God, separate them from each other. I know many are hoping that our new president and vice president will bridge the division in this nation; but this is just not a realistic expectation. First, they are not powerful enough in the natural realm; and, second, they are not operating in the realm where the true battle for unity is taking place. Only the power of God, in love, will protect the church from dividing further. The church must come together in agreement with Christ prayer in John 17:23, trusting our King to make the most of our differences. And we must battle in the spiritual realm against the demons that continue to divide us.
Sound Mind: Obtain wisdom in the fear of the Lord. The Lord has promised much for those that will fear Him (e.g., wisdom, provision, victory). What would it do for the church to take a deep breath, stop trying to change this country through the political system, and just seek God’s face? What if we surrendered ourselves to His purpose? What if we counted the cost of His plan, and agreed to sacrifice for it? What if we submitted to the power, gifting and fruit of the Holy Spirit for the transformational work He has for us in our communities? Could we trust Him for the rest? Of course we could; and we would find joyful, Spirit-filled ministry in the process. As we fear Him, He will transform us by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:1-2); until we have the mind of Christ. The alternative is conformity to the world (and enmity with Him).
In closing, please keep in mind that there are no coincidences for God’s children. Each of us is here for such a time as this. The Lord is calling out those that will lay down their lives for their friends. Our King has called us His friends. He has laid His life down for us. The reasonable response is for us to do the same. He is shaking us so that which remains cannot be shaken. The church in America is being offered a do-over. We can still choose Him as our King – the gospel of the Kingdom (Mark 1:15) is the reign of God in the hearts of men. Our King will not share His throne with anyone or anything; but He will not force you off of it. I encourage you to pray for revelation regarding the throne of your heart – have you stepped down in the fear of the Lord.
Your servant in Christ,
Rob
P.S. An additional encouragement: Find community in your family and/or fellowship. A day is coming when we will no longer be able to survive on our own. We will need more than a few whom we can each trust and who can trust us – I mean really trust. Seek and you will find – the Lord is making us into a body that will be His Bride.
inLight Adventure 
11 comments
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November 10, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Jerald
Thanks Rob. Thoughtful post.
November 10, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Evelyn
Praise the Lord.
November 10, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Mark Grant
The end is so near,….. is that a trumpet, i hear??
November 11, 2008 at 5:50 am
hikerdude
Rob I have a few random thoughts about what happened. I, too, was saddened by the election results. But, then I remembered that when the people of Israel clamored for a king they first got Saul, but eventually they did get David.
It seems that even Jesus’ disciples were confused and thought that He had come to establish a policital kingdom. Christianity was literally born in a time that the political leaders were hostile to, and wanted to kill Christ and His message. It didn’t work!
A great hallmark of love is freedom. God is love. He has given us freedom – and that includes the freedom to reject Him and make poor choices. But thank goodness He is also patient and merciful, and allows us to repent.
There was a cultural message sent thru the election. Youth has risen up and said change is needed. I’m not so sure they know what that change should be, but something about the message resonated with them. Oh that we might heed (and help feed) the hunger for revival and positive spiritual change of Christian youth of this nation. I’ve long sensed revival will come thru our youth.
Finally, we should remember Paul’s admonition to Timothy. “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” (1 Tim. 2:2-4).
November 12, 2008 at 8:33 am
Michael
I’m not a Christian, but at least I can understand the abortion debate, though I disagree with some of your positions. There’s a fundamental difference on the definition of murder. I can appreciate why we will likely never find a compromise on this topic, and that’s something we all just need to struggle with.
But gay rights? Based on your faith, you may not believe that being gay is natural, but I would expect the Christian position to be loving and fair, and to treat others as you would like to be treated. Allowing gay people to have rights is none of these. Regardless of whether you believe it’s right or not, in a world so full of hate, you’re condemning love. What sense does that make? Allowing two men to marry each other may be at odds with your beliefs and it may even repulse you, but I fail to see how it challenges the sanctity of marriage. If you believe your marriage is somehow less meaningful because of someone else’s actions, I feel sorry for the strength of your family. Why can’t you stand strong in the belief of your own marriage while not denying others equal rights? While you may think it is at odds with your religion, I would say that the Bible says many things — many that make sense in our cultural context, and many that do not (just look at some of the crazy things in Leviticus!) — already modern Christians carefully choose the teachings that they hold sacred and respectfully set aside those that are anachronistic (there are an awful lot of strange transgressions that require one to be stoned, apparently). So I would challenge you to look inside yourself and question WHY you hate this one particular aspect of life. Is it really because of the Bible? It only has about 5 references in the entire book (new AND old combined). There are FAR more teachings on love that seem to be overlooked in this discussion. Wouldn’t your time be better spent counseling the millions of Christians whose marriages lead to divorce rather than condemning those who seek only to love each other without persecution?
I like to think that in 50 years, we will all look back on ourselves and be ashamed. Ashamed that we didn’t learn from our past offenses. Remember, Christians themselves were (and are in many countries) persecuted for holding different beliefs than the majority.
So look to your faith, and to God, and really question why you take the positions that you do and consider the balance of good versus evil in the statements you make and the actions you take. I think if you look deep inside yourself, you might just be surprised at the acceptance and the love that you could share.
November 12, 2008 at 11:21 am
Mom
Dear Rob,
Powerful mesage. I have no words except to pray for Obama to be saved and pray for the Lord not to take His hand off our country! I’ll be praying for your conversations with ‘bikerdude’ if you are able to get in contact with him. What a misunderstanding he has of the Christian’s stand on homosexuality! Love,Mom
November 12, 2008 at 11:24 am
Mom
Rob, I just scrolled up and realized I referred to ‘bikerdude’ in error. So sorry, especially if bikerdude reads this. I was, of course, referring to ‘Michael’s comment! Mom
November 12, 2008 at 11:24 am
inlight
Michael,
I appreciate your thoughtful comments about the Christian response to gay people. You have obviously spent some time searching the Scriptures. Do you have a background in the church?
As you have recognized, many in the church are confused. They have been taught to hate those they believe to be sinners. They have been taught to hate those they percieve to be their enemies. As you have noted, this is contrary to the teaching of Christ and the Holy Spirit (through the writers of the Bible). I am sorry for the pain this has caused you.
Without a Christian background, this may be hard to understand, but I feel lead to share something more. Those that have expressed anything less than love to you are also captives that the Lord came to set free – free from their confusion, fear, religiousity, self-righteousness, hartred – whatever has bound them to their real enemy, satan. I pray that you will find the love of Christ – and the power of Christ that will set us all free to truly live as children of the Creator, the God who is love.
In His Love,
Rob
November 12, 2008 at 11:26 am
Mom
Amen!!!
November 12, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Michael
For what it’s worth, I’m actually not gay (I take from your response that you thought I was). I’m happily married to my wife, and I just wish for that opportunity for everyone, and happen to feel strongly about the issue. As far as my religious background, I was raised early in life going to church but realized long ago that it was not for me, and that I was able to lead a moral life and respect people independent of religious teachings. I do appreciate your comment, though, and hope that what you say is something that others of the Christian faith may at some point all share, and that that foundation may some day turn into equality for others who have different beliefs.
November 14, 2008 at 6:50 am
Michael
By the way, you might find this interview with Obama from 2004 to be interesting and perhaps comforting: http://blog.beliefnet.com/stevenwaldman/2008/11/obamas-interview-with-cathleen.html