Dr. Marc Drake, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church Sun Lakes
Americans will go to the polls on Nov. 3 of this year for our nation’s presidential election. Thank God for the privilege of living in a republic where we can exercise this right — a right that so many have fought and died to give us. Now, it is probably an understatement to say that our country is very polarized politically. It is certainly true that the United States has been polarized before, but it seems that passions are particularly high this time around and will probably get higher throughout 2020. One writer predicts that the Kingdom of Man will get rowdy this year. And who could doubt it?
But in the midst of all the shrill rhetoric and vituperation, God has something to say to us: “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Colossians 4:5-6).
God delights to give Christians opportunities to proclaim biblical truth to the people of our world. And this requires wisdom. His wisdom. His grace. His constant guidance. Otherwise, we will lapse into simply giving our own opinions. Now, we should certainly respect other people and listen to what they have to say, but is it really our opinions they need? No, what matters most is that which God Himself declares in the Bible. What He says is of infinite value.
Furthermore, God speaks clearly to the moral issues of our day such as the true definition and meaning of marriage, human sexuality, and the sacredness of life (including the unborn). Please don’t buy into the idea that these are simply political issues. They are not. They are biblical issues. And followers of Jesus must not remain silent when Scripture is twisted by others in order to justify radical beliefs foreign to the founding principles of America and — more importantly — foreign to the teaching of God’s Word (See Isaiah 5:20). There is nothing partisan about standing for truth!
Christians live in and interact with the Kingdom of Man, but they belong to the Kingdom of God (Philippians 3:20-21). So with a tumultuous year upon us, it is vitally important to walk in wisdom and grace and proclaim God’s Kingdom above all else. And when the opportunity presents itself for our views to be made known, let’s declare with boldness and in love what God says.
That’s what truly matters! Always has. Always will.