Politics
Politics! I hate the world’s politics. I detest political correctness, and I especially shudder at the thought of elections and electioneering. I put this out on Facebook recently. “Why is it that American politics is so hate filled? Can politicians not simply argue their case without having to resort to completely ridiculing any opposition? Why are American politics so racist under this administration? As a foreigner, married to an American, but observing from abroad, all I see is hate, racism, and political pornography coming from America during this election campaign. So many people, who think they have an opinion, spewing out their vile diatribes of filth, scandal, gossip, rumour, and death.
“In God we trust?” Not a bit of what I see is even remotely Christian nor Godly. It is hypocritical garbage using the language of hate and the gutter. God save us from politicians of any creed or colour. Only God can now save America – and even then He has a fight on His hands.”
A bit strong maybe but sadly very true. Politics never did have nor will it ever have the answer to the world’s problems. Politics is the ultimate self-belief that “I can do things better than you” and, as such, it is the ultimate pride which the Bible so roundly condemns. Politics has never entrusted anything to God except in times of dire national emergency, peril, or international bullying. Even then it is a begrudged prayer, “God help us”, that is neither meant nor is it said with any expectation of a favourable answer.
Having said all that, I am a firm believer that with-holding your vote then disqualifies you from any right to comment during the term of office of the elected party. (A spoiled voting paper is OK as at least you turned out and let them know that you don’t trust any party.)
Whatever has the world ever achieved that makes it so reliant on usually proud and arrogant people who consistently blame everyone except themselves for the mess the world is in? Why do we so rebelliously put our faith in people we neither know nor trust instead of obeying God and trusting Him to run things in a godly manner. The answer of course is simple. It is greed that powers politics. Greed for wealth and greed for power. Yes – wealth does carry power too, so greed feeds both ambitions.
There is an old and very true saying that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. So why do we so readily refuse to accept that politics, and most politicians, is corrupt. God gave us His Word so that we would know what to do and how to do it in virtually any situation. If we cannot find it in His Word then we can ask Him.
It is called prayer and we need to get on our knees and pray. We need to pray first for wisdom. James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” We need to pray for God’s will to be done. Matthew 6:9-13 “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.[“
We need to pray for faith and then to exercise our faith! Matthew 17:20
“So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” So little faith – so little belief – so little justice for all, or fairness for all, or trust in anyone but ourselves. God must tear His hair out on occasions. He must despair of us ever being the people He wants us to be and designed us to be.
I know I would. Lord, give us just one politician with the belief, and the strength, and the will to do Your Will and Your Will alone. What a change we would see.
"Politics" comes from two words, From the Greek we have 'Poly' meaning 'Many' and from English we have 'Ticks' meaning 'small, blood-sucking creatures'. (This is not original with me}Blessings!
ReplyDeleteSo, I agree with much of the sentiment, but have to strongly disagree with two things. One, power never, ever, EVER corrupts. Our sin nature is what has already corrupted us, power just gives us a seat to use and push those corrupted thoughts. Again, power is never responsible for our corruption. We may be more strongly tempted when in the grips of power, but it is the sin already within us that has already corrupted us, and without the Holy Spirit and God's Grace, we would all be as bad as the vilest of the vile.
ReplyDeleteSecond, with respect, I do not believe you understand the purpose and requirements of voting. God NEVER intended nor did the Founders intend that we must vote no matter what. Voting is a responsibility, but it is not one that we do at any cost. Without going into full details, the point is that there are rules for voting, as Christians we are to vote for a Biblically qualified candidate, NEVER for anyone who is not qualified; this is why voting for "the lesser of two evils" is a foolish and anti-Scriptural concept. Our duty and responsibility in voting is NOT to put candidates in office, that is God's place, our duty is to vote responsibly and leave the results to God (He is the one who places kings on their thrones and the one who removes them), and our responsibility is not to make sure the worst person doesn't get into office, again, our duty is to vote Biblically, and this means only for qualified candidates. Having said that, it is unlikely that there will be no Christian men that you know that you can vote for, I highly recommend choosing to vote for one of them instead of abstaining, but this modern American Christian idea that if we don't vote we're somehow sinning is a foolish concept.