One Nation, Under God - Part 3

We have been talking about division and unity, especially when it comes to the elections that are going on right now. In this last segment of this series, we are going to talk about how God chooses our leaders and what we need to pray for when it comes to these elections.The Jewish people were in a dark time in history when Jesus came onto the scene. They had rebelled consistently against God and they ended up under Roman rule (really Roman captivity in their own land) under Pontius Pilot and under Caesar Augustus. You do not need me to tell you they were not very happy about that. And so the zealots of the Jews came together and asked, “Jesus! Be our king! Be our Messiah!” They didn’t mean “Come be our savior and save us from our sins!” No. In their hearts, they were thinking, “We’re Jews! We’re God’s chosen people! What sins?” When they clamored for Jesus to deliver them, it was from Roman oppression, not from their sins. Jesus refused to do it. And it’s one of the reasons the very same Jews who said, “Jesus be our king!” on Palm Sunday, five days later said, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” It was no longer “Crown him as king!” but “Crown him with thorns!”Friends, that is what liberation theology does. We’re constantly trying to turn God into a politician. We’re trying to get God to interfere with our political situation.God already told us, “Here’s how it works. I will give you leaders after your own heart.”If you love our leader after the November the 3 elections, maybe it’s because you believe we have a good heart. If you hate our President after November 3, maybe it’s because you believe we have some 2 Chronicles 7:14 to do: we need to repent of our sins!But the Bible makes it clear that the hearts of every world leader is in the hands of the Lord, and He molds their heart into the direction that the sovereign Lord God wants it to go.So when you pray about the elections, do not just pray for who gets into office. Pray for the heart of our nation, that we have a heart after God’s own heart. Pray that His will be done in this nation. And pray that whoever does get elected, that God soften his heart and mold him like clay to do the Lord’s work. I mean the Bible does say God can even use a donkey, and God can use an elephant too!Friends, the Body of Christ transcends our political choices. There should never be division in the church as a result of who is in the White House. Because the reality is that God is on the throne, He is high and lifted up, He is our King of the Universe, not just of the United States. The Bible says the Kingdoms of this world have become the Kingdoms of God and they’re all under his authority anyway.Yes– you should vote, and vote your conscience, as you best understand scripture. But friends, let us not divide. Let us walk in charity towards our Christian brothers and sisters.You may ask, “How can a Christian vote for a person that I think is the anti-Christ?” or “How can a Christian vote for someone who is pro-gay rights or pro-abortion, or– you get the point.” I’m here to tell you to vote for Jesus. Cast your ballot for the Kingdom of God and in all things let us walk in God’s unity, God’s oneness. My prayer for you is “that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 15:6).It’s great to see you, friend.