"God teaches in His Word that His power (if that is what conservative Evangelicals want and not their puny attempts at grabbing earthly power) is made perfect in weakness. He speaks of the tiny mustard seed, the seemingly worthless widow's mite, of taking the last place at the table and the humbling of one's self, the washing of feet and similar acts and attitudes; the still, small voice. How did conservative Evangelicals miss this and instead settle for a lesser power, which in reality is no power at all? When did they settle for an inferior "kingdom"?
"Evangelicals are at a junction. They can take the path that will lead them to more futility and ineffective attempts to reform culture through government, or they can embrace the far more powerful methods outlined by the One they claim to follow. By following His example, they will decrease, but He will increase. They will get no credit, but they will see results. If conservative Evangelicals choose obscurity and seek to glorify God, they will get much of what they hope for, but can never achieve, in and through politics."
Remember conservative believers are being watch *right now* for our reaction to the election this week. If necessary, bite your tongue. Turn the other cheek to a goading comment. Be a good loser. Rejoice with those that rejoice. Then, pray. And, continue to be Christ-like. Get no credit but witness to the world around you. Be at peace. Our hope is still in Him not in man.
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3 comments:
Hey Beth, we missed you at MM last night! My pastor said something that really changed my thoughts about the election's outcome. This is an historic time in our nation. For the first time ever "all men are created equal" is being lived out, and not just something on paper. For the first time in our nation's history, an African-American has been elected into the highest office in this country, giving hope to millions who in the past have struggled to hope for equality. As you said, we need to rejoice with those who rejoice. That there is a hope that has been born out of this election.
When we think of it in those terms, and believe what that article states (which I do), then we should be happy to be alive in such a time as this! To do away with religious mindsets and strictly bring glory to God, not ourselves and not a certain denomination or people.
I'll get off my soapbox now:-) Great post!
Hey Beth,
I agree 100% with what *you* have to say - but not so much with Cal Thomas!
Some *major* victories were won for what would surely be considered the "religious right" - though I just consider them victories for God. Three more states added voted to protect the Biblical definition of marriage - *including* California!?!?! for the second time!?!?! So now *30* states have amended their constitutions to state marriage is between man and woman. Arkansas just passed an amendment that states in order to be a foster parent, you can not be co-habitating, whether as man and woman, man and man, or woman and woman. These are great victories for God! But He also used His people, aka to society as the religious right, to make these things happen.
So, yes, we conservative evangelicals ought very much to do those things Christ taught. But let's not begrudge *God* those victories - political victories - that really do belong to Him out of these elections.
I don't think the religious right is dead so much as they'd become complacent. Come the signing of FOCA when *all* of the states' parental notification laws and so many more abortion-reducing laws are just wiped away with the swoop of Sen. Obama's (as president) pen - I think many believers are going to get a very rude awakening.
And I'm not saying we should be doing anything political *instead* of serving and doing everything Christ said in Matthew 25. But I don't think we have to now roll over and leave politics. Though I think there's a huge section of society that wished we would. In fact, if anything, I see a huge mobilization of believers coming out of this.
Hi Beth,
Good post, I wrote about this a couple times this week too.
Our hope is still in Him and not in man- AMEN! :)
I found you on the Michigan Moms site!
Sue
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