Wading into the alligator infested swamps of politics and religion may seem a fool-hearty venture. Both present their challenges but when mixed the volatility is enhanced significantly. Regardless of which position is taken, you may run the risk of not only alienating family and friends but severing those relationships.
As National Elections take shape, all parties are clamoring for the hearts and minds of the American people. Though political conventions have yet to be held, it appears obvious who the candidates for both parties will be, and their platforms determined. Both sides believe they are the hope of the people and intend to implement economic and social policies they believe best represent national interests.
It is certain that neither party nor candidate can heal the wounds and divisions America now suffers. Regardless of which candidate and party prevails, the wounds and the divide will only become further polarized, and animosity intensified. The venom of slander and gossip, of fake news, will on serve to create baseless hatred and continued antagonism.
Our nation needs to hear again the ominous warning Abraham Lincoln gave as the United States stood at the precipice of civil war, words echoing the warning of Jesus, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation…” (Matthew 12:25).
Regardless of the economic, social, or political issues, our nation looks to a person, a party, a platform, policies that ensure social justice, assurances of the protection of individual rights, economic security, environmental security, and other issues deemed necessary in the American pursuit of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Some look to the past to build upon tried and proven methods to ensure a brighter future, while others look to dismantle the past and substitute new paradigms to lead us into that utopian vision. Some look to safeguard America’s status as a strong, independent, self-sufficient nation, while others envision America as a part of a global village that unite in tackling issues not only facing individual nations but the world.
The words of another ancient wise man seem appropriate for our day: Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). Social, economic, or judicial policy may or may not achieve the hopes and aspirations of American Citizens, but unless there is a common denominator, God’s standards of righteousness, any achievements are temporary and not self-sustaining. Righteousness is the common denominator of a national policy.
Righteousness provides the motivation for moral and ethical standards addressing interpersonal relationships. Righteousness provides the values upon which we develop our attitudes and decide our decisions and actions. When a nation embraces righteousness, God will favor the nations with peace and prosperity.
Righteousness is generous to the poor and the weak, preserves equality before the Law when just judgments are not decided by partisan slants but the proper application of the rules of law for the rich and the poor without being swayed or manipulated by riches and social and political leverage.
Righteousness exalts a nation. The righteous nation looks to preserve peace and prosperity for its citizens, while providing for equality and justice for all of Americans. When God’s standards serve as the “law of the land,” American will stand in contrast with tyrannical and oppressive regimes, and His favor will make America the envy of other nations.
Given the status of our nation, not only do we need to heed the words of Jesus, but also the words of Hosea. Though the prophet addresses the divided nation of Israel, prophesying of a day when the nation shall be restored, the principles of the prophet’s words are analogous and applicable for us today:
"Sow with a view to righteousness, reap in accordance with kindness; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord Until He comes to rain righteousness on you. You have plowed wickedness, you have reaped injustice, you have eaten the fruit of lies. Because you have trusted in your way, in your numerous warriors, therefore a tumult will arise among your people, and all your fortresses will be destroyed…” Hosea 10:12–14
Have we not dined on the “fruit of lies,” empty promises, fake news; have we not depended upon violent protests fueled by invective accusations designed to demean and destroy, have we not seen the tumult, the violence in our schools, our malls, our churches, our government buildings and reaped the seeds of injustice, whether real or perceived, at every level, impacting every race, creed, color, and gender?
How shall we respond?
America is “fallow ground,” land once plowed with righteousness, but left uncultivated, taken over by weeds and thorns of false promises, even twisted doctrine, theology and practice. It has been trod asunder by man’s insistence to revive a nation that can only produce noxious fruits – unless…
To receive an abundant harvest of righteousness, we must sow the seeds of righteousness, but before the seed can be sown the field must be plowed. The plow not only turns rich soil beneath the surface but uproots the thorns and the weeds exposing them to the searing sun and easily gathered and discarded.
Only by seeking the Lord with our whole hearts, repenting on behalf our ourselves, our nation, and even our churches, only through intercessions, signs and groaning over the spiritual condition of our nation, can we hope to see any seeds of righteousness come forth. With humble hearts in prayer, we will see a harvest, a harvest rained down upon our nation, a harvest sent by God.
We cannot be torn between icons of the past, nor can we treat Jesus as a mascot for political aspirations. We must decidedly, turn to God with our whole hearts, with repentance, breaking up the fallow ground of our hearts, allowing the seeds of righteousness, the righteousness of Jesus Christ to be planted and allowed to flourish under the influence and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
We must finally realize that God is not so much concerned about saving America as He is about saving Americans. It is not about a righteous America, but a nation of the Righteous, and Jesus is our Righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30), and so let us sow the seeds of the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 13:3-9; 18-23).
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