I believe that the Lord spoke something to my heart not too long ago that is still sinking in. It was profoundly different from what I expected and was a bit difficult to accept. But at the same time it was extremely comforting and peaceful for to accept becuase deep within I know it is counsel from the Lord himself.
A Little Background
All of my life I have had a contempt for the governments of the world. Even our own governments, be they federal or state government. I have had a libertarian mindset of do not trust anyone from the government. And they can do nothing well except make war. Looking back on history it is easy to see how much evil has been done to mankind by those in a government. When Satan wants to steal, kill, and destroy he often pursues governmental power.
I have had extreme contempt and fear and anxiety about what the government over us might do.
Fast forward to 2017 when I began to hear and understand the gospel of the kingdom of Jesus Christ. And its implications about government.
He Will Not Forsake His Saints
I notice an increasing number of friends both Christian and non-Christian becoming more cognizant and wary of things government people are saying.
Contempt and hostility for the government seems to be at an all time high. In one respect I think this is a good thing. because to idolize a government is to be hostile to the real government, the kingdom of Jesus Christ. But it can be taken to a dark place in hatred for enemy. A taking of the wrath of God into ones own hands. It can be taken as a constant judging and assumption of the worst motives of the people. The enemies of Jesus Christ are not people, not even people who occupy places of government power. The enemies of Jesus Christ are the principalities and powers and spiritual forces in high places. The people are only tools of the powers.
Furthermore there is this growing trend of speaking out and fighting back and holding the governmental forces accountable, I cant help but think that the people leading the way in this, the talking opinion pieces in the media, the social media stars, the hero's of talk radio and FoxNews as well as the left wing media talkers on CNN, MSNBC, NYTimes, CBS, ABC are all deeply out of their league in trying to hold the powers accountable.
Donald Trump famously in his 2016 campaign "only I am able to fix it" about the state of the government and the nation. I think this is one of the biggest mistake of the political career of Donald Trump. The truth is only the ecclesia can fix our nation and the government over it, this is true because of the life of Jesus Christ which dwells within the ecclesia.
Only the ecclesia of Jesus Christ, is capable and qualified to challenge governmental powers. Only Jesus people can hold the government accountable. Bold and power politicians, reports and brave social media voices are not able to do such a ministry.
The reason that only the ecclesia can fight the battles with wicked powers in fight places is that the Lord himself promises to fight the battles with the wicked on behalf of the righteous. Not on behalf of the political fighters, or the brave, or the outspoken and the courageous. Instead the Lord makes his followers those things as he sees fit. He casts down the principalities and powers through the weak and the helpless, by the "sitting ducks". He turns the traps set upon the trappers.
The Promises of Psalm 37
Psalm 37:1 Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! 2 For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. 3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. 6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. 7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! 8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. 9 For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land. 10 In just a little while, the wicked will be no more; though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there. 11 But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace. 12 The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him, 13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming. 14 The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose way is upright; 15 their sword shall enter their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.16 Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked. 17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous. 18 The LORD knows the days of the blameless, and their heritage will remain forever; 19 they are not put to shame in evil times; in the days of famine they have abundance. 20 But the wicked will perish; the enemies of the LORD are like the glory of the pastures; they vanish—like smoke they vanish away. 21 The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives; 22 for those blessed by the LORD shall inherit the land, but those cursed by him shall be cut off. 23 The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; 24 though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand. 25 I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. 26 He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing. 27 Turn away from evil and do good; so shall you dwell forever. 28 For the LORD loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off. 29 The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever. 30 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. 31 The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip. 32 The wicked watches for the righteous and seeks to put him to death. 33 The LORD will not abandon him to his power or let him be condemned when he is brought to trial. 34 Wait for the LORD and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land; you will look on when the wicked are cut off. 35 I have seen a wicked, ruthless man, spreading himself like a green laurel tree. 36 But he passed away, and behold, he was no more; though I sought him, he could not be found. 37 Mark the blameless and behold the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace. 38 But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed; the future of the wicked shall be cut off. 39 The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble. 40 The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.
Jesus Christ is the only plan we have for the principalities and powers. Exclude him for any reason and we become powerless against the wicked.
So now the Christian is free to make peace with the world system. We don’t have to be at war with the world, we don’t need to vote in or hire champions to fight it. We don’t have to become champions ourselves to fight the world system. No we can relax in our freedom to calmly obey God, to follow his lead, to respond to his promptings. To cooperate with him above all other. And as we do this Jesus defeats his enemies, he undoes the traps set for us, he changes the hearts of men as we suffer with him. We don’t have to fret and plan and fight any more because Jesus is our champion, our king warrior, and the future of all things (see Psalm 37).
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