Many churches refuse to comment on politics. Here is my attempt to solve a serious problem in the church. “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.” John 17:15 This prayer by Jesus to Father God is misunderstood. Well meaning pastors believe churches should avoid political instruction because of the previous verse 14: “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.”
Christians are not of this world. Yet, we live in the world. How does that work? I often refer to God’s protection in my life as like the cartoon character, Mr. Magoo. He would just walk around with danger just missing him like a piano falling off a building after he walked by. This is true with God’s protection of believers. How many times have we missed a traffic accident because of a red light or many other near misses? That is God answering Jesus’ prayer to “keep them from the evil one.” But He does this while we are in the world. Jesus clearly prayed that He wasn’t asking that we should be taken out of the world. Candles are for dark places. He is the light of the world and we are to carry His light into the world.
“As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.” John 17:18
We are sent the same way Jesus was sent. This is the key. He has sent us INTO THE WORLD! The church is where we get instructions and encouragement and comfort and fellowship to PREPARE AN EQUIP us to function like Jesus in the world. He has given us His word for the world! He confronted the institutions of religion and government to their face. This week is time to vote. How should we vote? I say vote the Bible, but we need instruction to translate His word into the opposing platforms. One side stands for immorality and is clearly unbiblical. Next week I will compare the platforms. Jesus’ teaching us to “give unto Caesar” regarding taxes also applies to voting. It is our duty and civic privilege. The sad truth is that 20-40 million Christians don’t even vote! Some are not even registered! Come on Christians! Rise up and stand for righteousness in our country. Don’t hide in the bubble.
We retreat into the church to escape the world. We build our own church bubble to shield us from the world. That is wrong. We make a big bubble around our church building like the picture. Instead, we need to go into the world (not of the world) with the great news of the Messiah. The church is not our bubble, God’s protection is our bubble. We are free to move around in the world with His glorious light. Jesus prayed for us to be in the world. Think about it.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and VOTE!
Les Lawrence, a voice of Christian Zionists Touching Heaven in the Mountains
Watch my prophecy podcast on YouTube HERE.
Great article and very timely.
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