I really thought I was done with election post, but I got an email from my sister-in-law Victoria with an article that one of the minister's from the church they attend wrote for their bulletin this sunday. And I also read Shane Claiborne's
"A Prayer for a New President and a New America" that I wanted to share.
Article by Hamilton Archibald:
This has been an eventful week on the national scale. Many people believe that there is no room for politics in the church. I agree that there should not be divisions made due to politics, especially since neither political party completely reflects biblical Christianity. However touchy the subject, we must consider the impact that the government has on the church.
This past week has ignited old fears and sparked new hope. Whether you believe that you witnessed correct political movement or wrong political movement, it is undeniable that we all witnessed a historical movement. It personally left me both excited and scared.
For a long time in the United States the Church has followed government and society. What was permissible by society was allowed by the church. Sunday mornings became the most racially divided time in the nation. Was that ever the will of God? “In Christ there is neither male nor female…” It was not the will of God but we all followed the rules of society rather than the rules of God. It has had negative impact that rippled down through generations.
Instead the Church should have been standing on the cutting edge. The biblical call was for unity and equality in Christ. You should be applauded as a church for currently being on the cutting edge in developing Biblical unity. We all understand that because of our country’s past there is baggage. But we can no longer allow society to dictate to the church its beliefs and actions.
I told you that I was excited and scared. I am excited to go and tell a little black boy to study harder because he might be the President. An African American in the highest office allows the kids I work with daily a new kind of role model. Professional ball players and rappers were the most visible role model for many black youth. Now there is a role model with a greater office, a greater responsibility, and a greater purpose.
I am also excited that society is making movement toward a biblical kind of unity. I look at Wonder City Church of Christ, Uplift, the Clothing giveaway, the Christmas store and I see glimpses of what heaven will look like. This excites me. I watched a speckled crowd cry and cheer as they listened to the president-elect. I saw racial healing. I saw the right kind of unity.
However, I am still scared because culture is still dictating to the church. That should not be. The Church must dictate to culture. I fear we have put too much emphasis on the government making moral decisions for the people. We cannot allow the government to do our responsibility. It is our duty to help each individual develop correct moral views that are based on the God of eternity. If we wait for the society to train the people and trickle into the church then you will see God’s wrath before a moral reform. That scares me.
Amos was a prophet to the northern kingdom of Israel . He went to tell the people that there was wrath coming on the people because of their sins. The people were sinning by abusing the poor and the disabled. They hated justice. They took bribes, so money drove and controlled the people instead of morals and righteousness. Amos’ message was simple. “Hate evil and seek good so that you may live.” You see economic stimulus, political control, or race didn’t matter. Moral decisions the individual made mattered. God didn’t send a politician to help them see that. He sent a preacher.
Church has to step up to the plate. We know the results of ignoring God. We know the benefits of doing things his way. We know the stories that politicians don’t, so we must lead our society. So please join me in both praying for our nation, and leading our nation’s minds. Hamilton Archibald
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