American leadership lacks the wisdom that comes only from Divine Providence.

Remove Pharaoh – Return to Wisdom

Response to last week’s commentary was gratifying. Most readers seem to grasp a very important point: America’s Pharaoh is not a person or a political party – it is a power source other than God upon which people erroneously and foolishly depend, even begin to worship. It replaces God, exalting an unprincipled, unbiblical worldview. The advocates and supporters of this system consistently assault absolute principles while rejecting revealed truth. As a result, freedom is redefined as everyone doing what is right in their own eyes. When people begin to lose freedom individually, they give it up nationally. The problems we face and the resulting bondage can be changed by God’s people living as the light that cannot be hidden.

Christians must recognize, “A house divided cannot stand.” Church leadership must stop fighting over theological differences and become supernaturally united by love, concern for others and fulfilling God’s Kingdom purpose. Cease arguing about the Holy Spirit and begin living in the demonstration of His power with love, peace, and kindness. Reject the godless worldview by demonstrating the power of a biblical worldview with its magnetic attraction. Jesus said, “If I be lifted up, I will draw all men to myself.”

It’s obvious to everyone here and around the whole world that American leadership lacks the wisdom that comes only from Divine Providence. These are realities we face:

  • America is divided by colliding worldviews.
  • Our choice is a big God or big government.
  • We can trust other men’s promises of provision, entitlement and dependence, or return to personal responsibility, accountability, hard work and a genuine interest in the well being of our neighbor.
  • We must choose between solid biblical principles or the opinions of relativists.
  • There is an all out assault on the Christian faith, biblical absolutes and any mention of God in the public square.
  • Moral standards are being rejected. Anything goes in sexual practices. Marriage is redefined. Protection of the innocent and innocence is diminished.
  • Ever-increasing excess in government spending will deplete not only the treasury, but the ability for anyone to get ahead through honest labor and understanding the importance of risk and reward.
  • Freedom is being exchanged for dependence and a sense of entitlement, leading to national bondage.
  • The importance of limited government under God and principled people is being replaced by an excessive, ineffective, all-powerful state. National direction is being determined by special interest groups who demand so-called rights while refusing personal responsibility. As a result, opportunity, productivity, and even the promise of meaningful employment are destroyed.

Recognizing the serious problems we face, Christians must stop arguing among themselves and stand together as an unshakable, spiritually united body of true believers. We must reject the thought that evangelism is to be separated from the importance of standing against evil. As a lifelong evangelist, I understand that we win people to Christ and teach them to assume responsibility as Kingdom witnesses here and now. We weren’t saved just to escape this world and go to heaven. We were born again to have the Kingdom of heaven revealed “on earth as it is in heaven.” We are to stand against the gates of hell and its forces of destruction and deception.

Transformed people transform the culture while standing boldly against evil. Let it be said of us, we feared no man, no power, and gave no ground to the enemy. We are “soldiers of the Lord Jesus” and “more than conquerors in Christ!” Take a moment to consider the effect of the Christian witness on the culture in some of the most challenging times in human history:

Christian influence on government was primarily responsible for outlawing infanticide, child abandonment, and abortion in the Roman Empire (in AD 374); outlawing the brutal battles-to-the-death in which thousands of gladiators had died (in 404); outlawing the cruel punishment of branding the faces of criminals (in 315); instituting prison reforms such as the segregating of male and female prisoners (by 361); stopping the practice of human sacrifice among the Irish, the Prussians, and the Lithuanians; outlawing pedophilia, granting of property rights and other protections to women; banning polygamy; prohibiting the burning alive of widows in India (in 1829); outlawing the crippling practice of binding young women’s feet in China (in 1912); persuading government officials to begin compulsory education of all children in Germany (16th century) and a number of European countries.

During the history of the church, Christians have had a decisive influence in opposing and abolishing slavery in the Roman Empire, in Ireland, and in most of Europe. In England, William Wilberforce, a devout Christian, led the successful effort to abolish slavery throughout the British Empire by 1840. In the United States, Christians were the most ardent abolitionists, speaking, writing, and agitating constantly for the abolition of slavery in the United States. The American civil rights movement that resulted in the outlawing of racial segregation and discrimination was led by Martin Luther King Jr., a Christian pastor.

There was also strong influence from Christian ideas and influential Christians in the formulation of the Magna Carta in England (1215) and of the Declaration of Independence (1776) and the Constitution (1787) in the United States. These are three of the most significant documents in the history of governments on the earth, and all three show the marks of significant Christian influence in the foundational ideas of how governments should function. These foundations for British and American government did not come about as a result of the “do evangelism, not politics” view.

If the Christian church had adopted the “do evangelism, not politics” view throughout its history, it would never have brought about these immeasurably valuable changes among the nations of the world. But these changes did happen, because Christians realized that if they could influence laws and governments for good they would be obeying the command of their Lord, “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16)1

The choice is clear: We can live in freedom under God or in bondage under any other source, which amounts to a modern-day Pharaoh. Paul told the New Testament church, “The things that happened to Israel are an example for us.”2 Surely you remember, God delivered the people from bondage in order to lead them into the land of blessing, freedom, and fruitfulness. Our God is a God who blesses those living in His shadow. Only unbelief and disobedience to His Word can hinder the blessings He freely offers through His Son. “When the Son sets you free, you are free indeed.”3

True believers understand that hearts and minds must be transformed by the power of God and witnessing the visible manifestation of His life through the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Now is the time to “rise and shine with the glory of the Lord upon us!” Concerned Christians must support leaders who understand the reality of spiritual warfare and the importance of a Christian worldview. This does not mean we impose our faith on others, merely that we choose representatives that reflect our values. That’s both the benefit and danger of democracy.

Sadly, I believe that inept, self-serving, corrupt leaders actually do reflect the values of many people. That’s why the church must rise up, courageously and compassionately demonstrating and defending the love of Christ. This we know for sure: Christ left us here as His witnesses on this earth for His glory and kingdom purpose. The moment Christians decide to stand together as the family of God, the forces of hell will tremble and truth will win!

 


[1] Politics According to the Bible, Wayne Grudem, p. 49-50
[2] 1 Cor. 10:6
[3] John 8:36

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