“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” Romans 14:19 NIV
Some people collect stamps. I apparently collect passports. God has given me the privilege to be a citizen of three countries (if you include heaven, that’s four). Lots of benefits come with this, but also plenty of responsibilities including: paying taxes, abiding by the law, even voting.
step 1 | be MAKING A DIFFERENCE
We shouldn’t complain about where the country’s heading politically, economically, morally, or spiritually unless we have done our part – to bloom where God’s planted us.
Let’s make a difference by SHARING CHRIST. The power to change our culture doesn’t rely on more protests, more insults, more threats, or more arguments, but it’s solely found in the gospel. Living it. Proclaiming it.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” Romans 1:16 NIV
Let’s make a difference by GIVING CAESAR WHAT BELONGS TO CAESAR: our taxes, our respect, our abiding by the law, our submission (as long as they don’t ask us to sin), our voting
“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. ” 1 Peter 2:13-14 NIV
step 2 | be INFORMED
In order to have a healthy view on how to exercise different rights in the culture God has entrusted us to impact, we have to be well informed daily from our Bible. How deep and how consistent are we in God’s Word?
Trying to keep up with one country’s politics it’s difficult enough, three countries… not enough time in the day. I read, I listen, but then I try to stay informed by talking to family and friends I trust to have a strong theology.
Personally, as I vote in any of these countries, I ask myself “Do I vote for a personality, or for principles they support? Will those I choose further God’s kingdom or hinder it?”
(I’ve heard a Moldovan defend on TV why he wouldn’t vote for his fellow Christian brother to be an MP: ‘Because God worked more under communism.’
Nonsense.
I believe that God works in spite of communism, not because of communism. God’s always at work. And nothing will stop Him. So, if we can bring more religious freedom by the way we vote, let’s do so and embrace seasons of grace when we can own a Bible, when we can share Christ without going to jail, when we can attend upper ground church.)
I would love to have a godly pastor run the country, but that may never happen.
As we do our best with our choices, let’s take solace that God used the kings of Persia to support the Israelites to restore them to worship, to rebuild the temple, to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
“In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfil the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing…” Ezra 1:1 NIV
step 3 | be DISCERNING
Covid season seems to amplify the never-ending topics of politics, health, economy, even church…
As we inform our opinions, are we careful that our views match God’s view? I love the heart of the Bereans.
“Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” Acts 17:11 NIV
step 4 | be CAREFUL
Be careful NOT TO WOUND A WEAK CONSCIENCE. We can share our opinion with those that are open to listen. It’s okay to sharpen one another’s view. It’s part of how we inform one another of various resources, of different angles, it helps us understand people’s way of thinking.
Here’s how Paul counsels those in Corinth on a HOT TOPIC at the time of those believers, the topic of Food:
“Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.
For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols? So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.” 1 Corinthians 8:9-13 NIV
If only we could adopt this mature perspective from Paul of giving up my right to be right for the sake of salvation.
Paul doesn’t say to distort God’s Truth, he teaches us how to deal with DISPUTABLE MATTERS as opinionated Christians. “Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.” Romans 14:1 NIV
step 5 | be PRAYERFUL
Nor worry, nor quarrels will bring change. Prayer will.
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV
(Here’s a verse motto for this season full of DISPUTABLE MATTERS. We turned it into a song. For more you can SUBSCRIBE here https://www.youtube.com/c/NatyTully )