There are a few things that I have noticed or learned through this process. As I’ve said, I’m not very political but I have spent a great deal of time over the last several months reading, listening and learning about politics and I’ve noticed something. Our culture devalues and demonizes the truth. Acts 17:10-11 teaches us to examine the Scriptures daily to verify the truth. The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. While these verses apply to the instruction and study of scripture, I think they can also teach us a broader lesson about being people of truth. As born-again believers, we should be known for speaking and believing the truth, guided by God's Word. Our culture often views truth as subjective, but the Bible is our supreme, infallible source of truth. And Jesus prayed for us in John 17, emphasizing the importance of being sanctified in the truth of God's Word. This truth should guide our actions and interactions, especially during difficult and divisive times.
When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. (John 17:1-5)
The first part of Jesus’ prayer focuses on God’s glory. Jesus glorified God on earth, and now Jesus asks to be restored to His former glory. Then He shifts His focus specifically His disciples. Which includes you and I if you are a born again believer. Jesus knows the salvation of the world depends on the witness of those whom the Father has given Him “out of the world” and we will need His intercession to do what He has called us to. Jesus prays:
“I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.
While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. (John 17:6-16)
Before the actual election I saw a lot of hate from those who opposed God’s Word. A lot of hate at the idea of prayer. A lot of hate towards those who want to protect the lives of unborn babies. But after the election I saw the same level of hate from believers who sought to brag and boast of their party or even personal victory. This election cycle has shown me that we as born again believers need to stop and think about the lies that we believe on the left and on the right. We need to actually open our Bibles and read them. Listen to what Jesus prayed:
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself,[b] that they also may be sanctified in truth. “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. (John 17:17-23)
I think it’s time we reflect on what is really important, what our priorities and our focus should be on, because we have a lot of work to do now that the election is over. Win or lose we are Kingdom citizens who are called to Kingdom work. And we have a lot to do on this side of the election if we are going to live out the Kingdom Principles and Values that we just voted for. Let’s look at those 5 Kingdom Principles we’ve talked about again
Religious Liberty
How can we advance religious liberty in our community? Prayer is the most powerful tool we have. We must commit to praying for our leaders, community, and opportunities to share the truth of Jesus Christ. We also have to change the conversation by sharing your faith instead of engaging in divisive arguments. If you talked about Jesus as much as you did the latest conspiracy theory or shared God’s Word as much as you shared misinformation you heard on the news our community and country would be in a better place.
Border Security
How can we as Kingdom Citizens seek to live out Kingdom values when in comes to the border? We must support ministries that serve immigrants and work to end human trafficking. Organizations like A21 (A21.org) educate and help those enslaved through trafficking. By supporting these efforts, we can live out Kingdom values in our community.
Biological Sex
Mental health is a significant issue in our society and we further the problem by pretending it’s not there. Support mental health initiatives and avoid stigmatizing those struggling with gender identity issues. If we want to help those who are struggling with gender dysphoria and gender identity issues then is can’t be the punchline in our jokes. The church should provide resources to help those in need, and we should be a source of support and love.
Family and Marriage
How can we promote the Kingdom values of marriage and family in our community? We can start by supporting families in need, especially during the holiday season. Make your family a priority by spending quality time together. It’s far to easy in our busy lives to make our families play second or third chair in our lives. If you are wanting to change the culture then it starts at home. Your family is your first ministry. How often do you go on a date with your spouse? How often do you eat meals together as a family? How much time do you spend together doing things you enjoy rather than rushing from one thing to the next?
The Value of Life
Now that the election is over how are we as Kingdom Citizens going to advance the value of life in our community. With the passing of Amendment 3, we have a responsibility to support life. In our house the last several weeks as we’ve talked about the election and our responsibility as godly citizens we’ve had lots of conversations about Amendment 3.
And unlike many of the people I’ve talked to about it, we’ve done our research talking to lawyers, lawmakers, and doctors about what this amendment would mean if it passed. In our conversations one day our son Tyler said that this abortion law reminded him of a story in the Bible. Let me read it to you.
Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.”
Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.” (Matthew 2:13 & 16-18)
And you know, he’s right. Weeping and loud lamentation is heard throughout our state because of the lies and manipulation of evil, demonic leaders who want to murder children. The passing of Amendment 3 is an abomination on our state. When we had the conversation with our kids that it had passed this is what my son Ky said: “Will babies will be put in baskets and floated down the Missouri River because Pharaoh wanted to hurt babies too and that’s what Moses mom did.”
That cut me to the core, because I couldn’t answer that question. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that putting babies in baskets was the exact thing we needed to do. We need to be the baskets church. The time has passed on stopping this evil, the time has began to fight it. It’s time to stand up and support ministries like Birthright and the Pregnancy Options Center of Warren County. It’s time to be the baskets for these babies.
We are the baskets for these babies when we help moms facing unexpected pregnancies. We are the baskets for these babies when we give diapers and wipes to moms in need. We are the baskets for these babies when we help with food and formula for families who are hungry. We are the baskets for these babies when we stand up and speak the truth to a culture that believes the lives. We are the baskets for these babies when we pray, when we march, when we resist, when we fight against the evil child sacrifice that is accepted, allowed, and acted out across out country.
Something To Think About
The election is over, but our work as Kingdom citizens continues. We must live out the Kingdom principles and values we voted for. This means being proactive in our communities, supporting those in need, and sharing the love of Christ.
Questions For Self-Reflection
1. How can I be a person of truth in my daily life?
2. What steps can I take to support religious liberty in my community?
3. How can I help immigrants and work to end human trafficking?
4. What can I do to support mental health initiatives and avoid stigmatizing those in need?
5. How can I make my family a priority and support other families in need?
6. What actions can I take to support the value of life in my community?
This week, commit to one specific action that aligns with these Kingdom values. Whether it's praying for your community, supporting a local ministry, or spending quality time with your family, take a step towards living out your faith in a tangible way.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to live beyond left and right, focusing on a Kingdom agenda. By standing in truth, supporting those in need, and living out our faith, we can make a significant impact in our communities. Let's commit to being the hands and feet of Jesus, sharing His love and truth with the world.
Watch the full message here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wd8Ozx_bLno&t=9s
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