As with many of you, I watched with disgust and disappointment at the riots that took place on the 1/6/2021, as the Us Congress were in the process of certifying the votes cast by the Electoral College to declare former Vice - President Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States of America. While most of the blame falls to the people who broke the laws of God and this country, there is some blame that must be laid the current President Donald Trump as he implicitly incited his supporters to take these egregious measures.
The media must also take some responsibility for fomenting a vitriolic atmosphere - eschewing journalistic protocols and principles just to push their personal opinions and increase ratings by pitting one group against the other. Unfortunately, I have seen the Church -The Body of Christ get sucked into the milieu of the rest of the unbelieving world. We fight and separate from fellow believers because of political views or political party affiliation. This is all a part of Satan's strategy to use his influence as the prince and the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2), to blind the lost, and get the Church off her mission of reconciliation through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
At this critical juncture in our nation's history, and at this moment of time in the purpose and providence of God, the world, this nation, needs the Church now more than ever before. As such, here is what I believe the Church should do now:
Apply Personal Moderation – Believers need to be careful in our responses to these events - allowing the Spirit to govern our speech and actions.
“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” (James 1:19 – 20).
Engage in Spiritual Intersession – Regardless of whether we agree with the person(s) in elected office, the church has the mandate from scripture to pray for them as well as for all people.
“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” (I Timothy 2:2 – 5)
Recommit To The Great Commission – Jesus has set the mission for His church to preach the Gospel and make disciples of every nation (every people group, every race, every political leaning…). Despite what is going on in the culture, the Church must continue to make fulfilling the Great Commission her highest priority.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19 – 20)
While the Church should never turn a blind eye to injustice and the plight of the poor, as we follow God's commandments from scripture, we will in this age of confusion and misinformation, be the "pillar and ground of truth" (I Timothy 3:15).
