A Call To Action

In the minds of some, politics has no place in the Christian life let alone the pulpit. However, God required the king or leaders of the people to make sure they did what was right they were required to punish the evildoers and reward the righteous.  As Christians we have the responsibility for the condition of our nation.  Our government is a representative style where we the people elect officials who act in our behalf. As the salt of the earth we all have the right and the responsibility to help elect those who will govern righteously. When our officials fail to keep this trust we have an obligation to seek to change their minds or to work to replace them.

How can a government be for the good of the people and be righteous in the sight of God without accountability to the principles laid out in the Word of God?

With the mentality of the progressives, socialists, neocons and nominal Christians who think that a government which seeks to uphold righteousness is only out to make life miserable for them forgets the freedoms we have are an endowment from the Creator not from the politicians. The purpose of government is to promote righteousness and that righteousness is for the good of the people.  As long as leaders promote righteousness the citizens can rejoice in the blessings of freedom. 

In the Wisdom of Solomon we read, ¹⁰ When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.  ¹¹ Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,   but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed. Prov.11:10-11

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people (Prov.  14:34).

When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, But when a wicked man rules, people groan (Prov. 29:2).

Solomon knew and understood that when righteousness is the foundation of the government the nation is blessed, and when it is not the foundation of the government the nation suffers.  We are suffering in America today because we have forgotten the purpose of government.

If our political leaders could grasp the importance of supporting the principles of the God’s Word they would not only bring a blessing on the nation they would be successful in their careers.  When the leaders of our country transgress the Law of God they not only endanger the lives of many they endanger the entire nation.

Again, Solomon in his wisdom tells us, “If a ruler pays attention to falsehood, all his ministers become wicked.” Prov. 29:12.  We in America have been the witness to the falsehood perpetrated upon the nation by the present administration of the lies and cover-up of the Libya terrorist attack we understand how following a falsehood increases wickedness.  The evil doer will never understand the importance of righteousness.

IF, we are to have our nation blessed by God we must first have leaders who are led by God.  It is important that our nation not establish a national church but we cannot separate righteousness from the political office.  If we remove all factors of righteousness, Biblical morality and justice from   the government, how can we ask for the blessings of God?  Even the motto of our country becomes false.  When we no longer trust in God we are no longer a righteousness nation.

As Christians we have a responsibility to require accountability to righteousness from our elected and appointed leaders.  As Christians we can judge a leaders tolerance for evil by how they respond to the wicked.  The righteous leader will not tolerate evil.  A righteous leader will not practice wickedness nor will they tolerate evil.

In light of all that has taken place in the last few months in regards to those who have murdered our ambassador and three other Americans in Libya our political leaders cannot stand-by and allow this evil to go without punishment.  Solomon again tells us, A man of great anger shall bear the penalty, for if you rescue him, you will only have to do it again. Prov. 19:19   Any time we take a soft approach on evil we do a disservice to those who depend upon the leaders for protection.  When there is no punishment for evil then evil will continue to thrive.  Ronald Reagan gave out swift punishment he understood that a bully continues bullying until he has been hurt.  The twelve minutes of bombing of Libyan targets cut the teeth from the “mad dog” Gadhafi.  Regardless of the cries from those who would not stop the evil that was happening all around the globe Reagan acted against evil.  Stopping evil demands a sense of direction, clarity with an unwavering purpose. 

I do not enjoy watching others suffer and I do not take pleasure in seeing people punished but it is a requirement for a just and moral society.  In America we have the perfect example of tolerance for evil—soft on crime and you have repeat offenders.  Our soft treatment only results in more crime.  When we fail as a society to hold the evil doers responsible for their actions we will only see a repeat of criminal actions.

Again, we can find wisdom in the words of Solomon, A man who is laden with the guilt of human blood Will be a fugitive until death; let no one support him (28:17).  When the leaders of our country allow the murder of its citizens to go unpunished the entire nation is at risk.  We cannot have leaders who are afraid to offend those who bring terror and death around the world.  Regardless of the “spiritual name” evil doers are to be brought to justice.  Solomon in his wisdom understood if they were supported they would continue to shed blood.

So how do we create the political influence needed to change the hearts of our leaders? 

First, not by conforming to the present way of doing “political business” we must arise above the actions of those who fight evil with evil.  It is wrong to kill the innocent regardless of the actions of their leaders.  There is no acceptance of “collateral damage” when the innocent pay for the crimes of the evil doers.  That includes the actions of the United States. 

Second it is the duty of the righteous to influence those who are the decision makers.  If we are to have influence the only agenda we must have is to bring our country back to righteousness.

Third, it is our duty to expose the evil actions within our own leaders.  Over the years it has become evident that there is very little difference between the two political parties in our country.  The national leaders are concerned with keeping American’s subjected to their power and authority.  Both political parties have eroded the American way of life to the point it is no longer American.

Fourth, if we are to have influence on our leaders we must learn to be tactful, gracious, knowledgeable and patient.  In the Vice-presidential debate we were given an example of how far we have drifted from civility.  The actions of name calling and character assignation have become the norm for political action even though people claim to dislike it.  As Christians we must change the course of the political debate in this country.  Speak the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, regardless of who your political party happens to be.

Fifth, do not get caught in the false message of hope and change.  In Proverbs 24:21-22 we are instructed to not associate with those who are given to change.  Those who have a message of change will only bring calamity and ruin.  This is evident with the change our country has gone in the last three years.  Many bought the message of Hope and Change only to see ruin and calamity come down on our nation.

Last, do not get drawn in by the power of influence you may gain.  Many of those who profess to be Christian involved in the “political business” do so to establish their own base of power.  They support certain issues so they can profit from the crisis. As righteous Christians we must know the issues and support what is true, not a political party or a politician who says what we want him to say, just to gain an elected position.  Never forget righteousness and godliness cannot be separated from government.  The Founding Fathers were wise in guarding against prohibiting the freedom of religion.  They knew if our government was to succeed it must be based on righteous principles.  The failure of our present government leadership is due to the fact they have forgotten God and worship the god of evil.

It is OK to have forty days of prayer for our country but what we really need is forty days of action.  Christians have been fearful of getting their hands dirty from the politics of the day, but godly men should be leading the government. You can use prayer as an excuse for not getting involved and suffer the decline of our Nation. Our form of government is based on We the People.  We are the government and have a responsibility to uphold the righteousness of our nation.  It is time for Christians not only to pray for our country but become active in saving this great Nation that God has given to us.  Put feet to your prayers get involved.