As we all sigh our collective relief for Election 2004 now being a thing of the past, it's time to do the important work.
Bringing a very divided, bitter, and wounded nation back to a place of wholeness and health.
Sounds really good, doesn't it? Of course it does....if it were not a virtual impossibility.
Now why would I make such an assumption?
Let's see if I can explain what I mean by "impossibility" where "healing the nation" is concerned.
You see, as a Bible-believing Christian, I see the Scriptures addressing not only "national issues" but addressing those personal and Kingdom issues that so many believers want to either ignore or claim isn't "for today." Sorta a "cessationism" of it's own, I guess.
Over the last few years, I've seen many Blood-bought, Blood-washed Christians willing to divide over just about anything they can find. Just give them a reason...and shazam....we're divided.
And it certainly doesn't take much to divide God's people either...
The color of the new carpet in the sanctuary...
The style of the music: either too loud, too long, or too much.
The version of the Scriptures that is read in the worship gathering.
Any number of other things that we can be "divisive" over.
If we Christians want to see the nation "come together", we might want to try it ourselves...in our local churches...in our denominations...in our families...in our relationships and friendships.
Our bitter words, our non-edifying opinions, and our unrighteous prejudices really set a bad example for a watching world.
Why on earth should anyone, and particularly those "outside" the family of God, believe that we really belong to the King of Kings, when we exhibit so many qualities that are unlike Him?
I was on a national call-in Radio Talk show last night, and admitted that I voted for Senator John Kerry, and that I am a registered Republican. A few other callers confessed to the spurious treatment they had received...at the hands of other CHRISTIANS, simply because of their political choices.
But it doesn't stop with "politics." Oh, if only it did.
Sadly, many Christians are looking for a reason to be divisive...and to strain relationships in the Kingdom of God....
Railing accusations, untruths that are widely disseminated, and unbiblical/sociological prejudices have all done their damage...
And far too many American Christians are willing to admit just how culpable we really have been--and still are.
It's time for the people of God to stand up, speak up, and then start to do what Jesus said would identify us as His followers.
Loving each other.
The entire world will notice it when we do. I'm sure we will too.
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