"AFTER ELECTION DAY IS OVER, CHRISTIANS MUST CONTINUE ENGAGING THE CULTURE" - Claire Gatzke, Washington Upate, Oct. 29, 2020; https://www.frcblog.com/2020/10/after-election-day-over-christians-must-continue-engaging-culture/ [AS I SEE IT: As this article makes clear - and I have always believed - the end of abortion in America will not come when the Roe v. Wade decison is overturned - but when more and more mothers with unplanned pregnancies choose life and not death for their unborn child. Our job as pro-lifers will not end until all such Moms see abortion as anathema. - Stan]
As political campaigns get more combative and election seasons last longer, election fatigue can come early for many people. ... I’m sure many Americans are thrilled that another presidential election cycle will have come and gone so that they can check out for a couple of years before the next one starts up. While I am empathetic to this sentiment, this is not the right mindset for Christians to have. No matter what happens on November 3 (or whenever the results of this election are called), Christians cannot “check out” and take a vacation from political engagement.
As Christians, we must have a long-term perspective. Our engagement in the public square does not start and stop based on election cycles. Since our political engagement is based on God’s commandments and biblical imperatives, we must keep following these commands and imperatives even when an election is not fast-approaching. How are Christians to continue to engage when there is no voting opportunity any time soon?
For one, Christians must continue to pray for elected officials and government leaders. Obviously, we should pray that leaders that fear God and govern according to biblical principles are put in positions of authority. However, once the election has happened, we should be praying for whoever ends up in positions of power, whether they are God-fearers or not. In 1 Timothy 2:1-2, Paul “urges that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”
As soon as the election is over, Christians must diligently and continually pray for our elected officials, whether we ourselves voted for them or not. No matter who is elected, we must pray that God would speak to them, that they would surrender to God, and that they would govern justly. We must pray this not only for our own benefit so that we can live peaceful lives as Paul said, but we must do so out of our desire for justice and out of love for our neighbor, knowing that God’s way is the best and most conducive way for all humans to flourish.
Not only must we be diligent in our prayers for government leaders, Christians also must be committed to talking about political issues with their family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. The novelty of voting is that everyone gets to do it (if they’re eligible). However, voting won’t help our culture flourish if people are voting contrary to biblical principles and values. The only way to really sway the political and cultural environment is by changing people’s minds so that when they vote, they vote biblically.For example, even if Trump is elected and the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, decisions on the legality of abortion will be left up to each individual state. The only difference is that abortion will not be legalized at the federal level; it could still very well be legal in many states.
We are absolutely obligated to restrain evil by voting; however, this is not sufficient. To successfully stop abortion and other evils, Christians must engage with individuals in their spheres of influence conversationally to change hearts and minds. If public opinion on abortion is swayed, then people will not elect officials at the local, state, or federal level who advocate for the moral acceptability of abortion. Also, a cultural shift toward valuing unborn life will have a positive impact on women with unplanned pregnancies to move away from seeing abortion as their only option, which will in turn lead to fewer women seeking underground abortions should abortion be made illegal. [italics and colored emphasis mine]
No matter who wins this election, there is still a lot of work to be done in redeeming the culture and influencing the public square. People’s eternal destiny, as well as the soul of our nation, are at stake. As we continue our engagement post-election, we must keep an eternal perspective. Every political loss and win is temporary because this earth is “passing away” (1 John 2:17). While we must engage passionately, we cannot put our hope or faith in any political candidate or party, only in Christ our Savior and King. Regardless of who is in the White House and whether that person is friendly or hostile to orthodox Christianity, Christians have orders from God and must be faithful to Him alone; we cannot disengage, give up, or get comfortable.
[italics and colored emphasis mine]
PRAYER MATTERS:
"To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against
the disorder of the world. - Karl Barth"Prayer is inviting God into a seemingly impossible situation and trusting/resting in His love and grace to accomplish His perfect will in His perfect time and for His greatest glory. Intercession is one of the great privileges AND responsibilities for EVERY believer."- Stan----------------------------------------------------------------------
World-Wide Praises:
PRAISE GOD for the continuing successes against ISIS !PRAISE GOD for the contining successes of the Trump Admin. to establish peace in the ME!
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ETHIOPIA. Building a school. In rural Ethiopia, an Open Doors school is helping a small Christian community regain their place in society. For many years, these believers have lived like outsiders in their own village. A local pastor named Sileshi* proposed building a school, believing it would bring in the church and social outsiders and win the trust of their Muslim community.The school is helping the local church be seen as a valued contributor to the community where children can receive a good education. Believers are treated with greater tolerance, and Christians have the opportunity to live out the gospel in practical ways.
November 5 - Pray the school’s academic reputation would continue to grow.
*Representative name or photo used to protect identity.
the disorder of the world. - Karl Barth
PRAISE GOD for the continuing successes against
ETHIOPIA. Building a school. In rural Ethiopia, an Open Doors school is helping a small Christian community regain their place in society. For many years, these believers have lived like outsiders in their own village. A local pastor named Sileshi* proposed building a school, believing it would bring in the church and social outsiders and win the trust of their Muslim community.The school is helping the local church be seen as a valued contributor to the community where children can receive a good education. Believers are treated with greater tolerance, and Christians have the opportunity to live out the gospel in practical ways.
November 5 - Pray the school’s academic reputation would continue to grow.
*Representative name or photo used to protect identity.
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