One of the greater challenges in the Christian life is being balanced on important matters. For example, achieving the needed balance between being staunchly committed to God’s truth and yet being gracious towards others at the same time. (Jesus had that balance and is said to have been “full of grace and truth” – John 1:14). Another example is the dilemma we often face. When trials and problems come our way, we should be resting in the Lord, and yet we need to be disciplined and proactive in facing those issues. Sometimes it is hard to determine if we are balanced or unbalanced in our Christian living. Today, as American Christians, we look at the current political setting and the soon swearing in of a new president, and here too we need to be balanced.
Being Thankful for the Prospect of Coming Changes. As I think about the past election, I am hopeful that some changes will take place in America. In the election, the real issue was not personalities, but standards that are righteous or unrighteous. Hopefully the attacks on God’s standard for the family will stop. Hopefully there will be a moving away from the killing of innocent babies in the womb to a much stronger commitment to the sanctity of life. It would be healthy for our nation if criminals were not coddled but had to pay for their crimes. God has clear directives on the value of hard work, and to move away from a welfare or socialist state would be a good thing. Government has been given to protect its citizens from threats both domestic and foreign. As of January 20th, it is likely that there will be a renewed commitment to that. These issues and others hopefully will be addressed, and for that we can be thankful. There is a hope that less and less we will hear that good is evil, and evil is good. Hopefully, there will be movement back towards biblical standards.
Many in this country have rightly been relieved because the slide towards a new level of evil and degeneracy has been halted. At least that seems to be the case. But if that is true, there is another important matter that believers in Jesus must be alert to.
Making Sure We are Singing the Right Song. For the follower of Christ, our focus is on, and hope is in, the Lord Jesus. This must always be true of us. He is the One who will bring us into His wonderful eternal kingdom. These familiar words remain true.
“MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS THAN JESUS’ BLOOD AND RIGHTEOUSNESS.”
But in listening to some folks, there seems to be much more than mere appreciation for the outcome of the last election. There is almost a giddiness and euphoria as they look ahead to January 20th and the swearing in of the new president. But the believer in Jesus Christ must never change the words of this song to:
“MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS THAN DONALD TRUMP AND ‘MAGADNESS’.”
Most likely those reading this article will not hum this tune, but there is a clear danger that should not be dismissed; that it would be impossible for us to do just that.
Understanding Something of the Present Divine Perspective.
- RIGHTEOUSNESS AND SIN. Proverbs 14:34 reminds us that “righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a disgrace to any people.” Believers can not only be hopeful that sin and evil will be somewhat muted, but can support and promote righteousness in the coming days. We do this by our words and our living. Peter said that we must always be ready to give a defense of our hope in Christ (1 Pet. 3:15-our words) and no longer live in the wrong desires of men, but live according to the will of God (1 Pet. 4:2-our living). An authentic, godly life promotes righteousness.
- USING PRESENT OPPORTUNITIES. In response to the prayers of His people, the Lord God has for now given us the prospect of “a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity (1 Tim. 2:2). This would allow believers a unique time to share the gospel since God “desires all men to be saved” (1 Tim. 2:4). And coupled with this truth is the reality that people are fearful, anxious, and more open today to spiritual realities. (For example, the sale of Bibles over the last year has increased significantly). Everywhere on this planet, there is government corruption, war, economic uncertainty, and rampant crime. As the song says, “people need the Lord” and Paul encourages us to “make the most of our time” (Eph. 4:8-17).
- THE ARM OF FLESH. As one reads about the kings in Israel’s monarchy period, it is clear than even the best of kings failed in their leadership. For example, recall David (2 Sam. 11 and 24), Solomon (1 Kings 11) and Jehoshaphat (2 Chron. 18) who were good yet failed badly. It is easy to shift focus onto a man and away from the Lord. However, the arm of flesh will always fail and disappoint and we, therefore, must be careful not to put too much trust in people or in their rhetoric.
Understanding Something of the Future Divine Perspective.
- THE REIGN OF MESSIAH JESUS ON THIS EARTH. The sovereign Lord has sworn that He will bring to pass everything He has stated in His covenant promises. He declared that He would not lie to David; that David’s descendant will sit on the throne and rule Israel as well as all the nations of the earth (Psa. 2 and 89). However events might play out in the current situation, Jesus shall reign. In fact, God has already established the Son as ruler (Psa. 2).
- THE RESTORING OF ALL THAT WAS LOST IN EDEN. When Adam and Eve willfully sinned in the Garden of Eden, God chose not to destroy everything and start over again. Instead, He committed Himself to restore and reconcile. And to achieve that He chose to make an everlasting, unconditional covenant with the man Abraham and to bring about restoration, and even enhancement, of His “very good” plan seen in Genesis 1 and 2. How the Lord uses, or does not use, America and other nations is not clear, but the Lord “will remember His covenant forever” (Psa. 111:5). No nation or political party will lead us to paradise (though often they seem to indicate that they can and will). The Lord’s promises are irrevocable and are, therefore, certain in their fulfillment.
- THE JOY OF LIFE IN THE ETERNAL KINGDOM OF GOD. In God’s presence there is a fullness of joy (Psa. 16:11). Jesus spoke of welcoming His servants into His joy in His kingdom (Matt. 25:21, 23). Those realities of peace, joy and freedom from sin which are in short supply now will be there in fulness in the future, forever kingdom of God. One day faith is going to become sight, and this gives us perspective on life now.
Blessed are the Balanced. It is often difficult to be balanced in our thinking and in our living. At that is true of our present situation. We can be thankful for the prospect of evil being less pronounced. We can be grateful for a greater freedom to proclaim the truths about Jesus Christ and His gospel. At this moment, there are positive vibes that when Donald Trump becomes president, and once his cabinet members are in place, that some good things will materialize. And while we can be grateful for this turn of events politically, our focus must always remain on our sovereign Lord Jesus Christ who will bring to pass all He has declared. Blessed are the balanced.