Politics is a harsh and vital reality. Pray and vote today.

By: American Decency Staff

Today’s election has drawn more attention, more anticipation, and more mudslinging than any midterm election I can recall. As with many of you, I have been following the build-up to what I believe is a momentous day in the life of this nation. Politics may be a dirty word to some but it is also reality.  The reality is that this great nation was founded by many great men (our Founding Fathers) – the vast majority of them Bible-believing, God-fearing men.  That was politics, too.  However, they prayed, debated, reconciled differences and formed a new nation, a nation that has withstood great attacks upon its liberty, independence and unity for many years. Like it or not, the decisions our law makers, justices and presidents make out of Washington do impact us all.  The Bible makes it clear that government is ordained by God (Romans 13) and it is He who removes and raises up our nation’s leaders (Daniel 2:21) – using them as instruments to either bless or chastise His people.  Scripture also commands us to pray for those leaders – no matter who they are – and also tells us that we are to be law-abiding except when we are legislated to disobey God’s principles. So here we are at this juncture in time.  No matter what happens we know that we live in an imperfect world and are very imperfect ourselves.  God is not finished with us.  He has told us that this world is not our home; that we are just passing through.  He uses the trials and tribulations of this life to perfect us – make us more and more like Him, our Heavenly Father. Nonetheless until that day we are called to be “his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.â€Â [Ephesians 10] Those good works will still be needed after Election Day.  No matter what the results are of today’s vote, we will not wake up tomorrow and see our nation’s woes relieved.  We must still stand and fight and serve.  We, God’s people, are called to feed the hungry, tend the needy, aid the oppressed.  We are called to oppose all forms of evil, fight for justice, and be salt and light – in our communities, our culture, and in our government.   And so today, and each day going forward, may we not shun politics, but continue to be involved,  holding our leaders accountable.  And let us follow the example of our Founding Fathers, praying for God’s blessing and guidance for our nation while we recommit to pray for those currently in office and those being elected this day. In closing, I thought the following prayer by Thomas Jefferson is fitting for this election day and every day. Thomas Jefferson, March 4, 1805 “Almighty God, Who has given us this good land for our heritage; We humbly beseech Thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of Thy favor and glad to do Thy will.  Bless our land with honorable ministry, sound learning, and pure manners. “Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way.  Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitude brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. “Endow with Thy spirit of wisdom those to whom in Thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that through obedience to Thy law, we may show forth Thy praise among the nations of the earth. “In time of prosperity fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in Thee to fail; all of which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.â€Â ======================================================= A classic resource available as short supply lasts: “The Holiness of Godâ€Â by R.C. Sproul. To order your free copy, email bjohnson@americandecency.org Many of you took advantage of our offer regarding the book “The Pursuit of Holinessâ€Â by Jerry Bridges. This is what Jerry Bridges has to say about this book offer “Every Christian who is serious about his or her growth needs to read ‘The Holiness of God.’ I profited greatly from this book.â€Â ======================================================= American Decency Association Bill Johnson, President P.O. Box 202 Fremont, MI 49412 ph: 231-924-4050 https://americandecency.org/ http://www.twitter.com/billwjohnson ———————— Donate online: https://secure4.afo.net/ada/donate.php American Decency Association is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.

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