Gold Meddle-ists
Gold Meddle-ists
What an interesting month July has been. From Parisian Olympics to power-hungry politics, it’s unclear as to who has the best dives, jumps, flips, flops, tumbles, backflips, strokes, chokes, and everything in between. We’ve seen bold acts declaring faith in God, and we’ve seen bold acts mocking Him. We’ve just about seen it all.
There’s plenty of people, both Christians and non-Christians, that believe Christians shouldn’t have anything to do with or in politics. Now, as Americans, we have political rights so I think we have the obligation to practice those rights. All of this, however, must be done through the lens of Scripture. I’m not telling anyone who to vote for, but I am telling everyone to be an informed voter according to the principles we profess through Christ.
When it comes to politics, don’t vote politicians or preferences - vote policies and principles. Policies and principles according to the Word of God. If we confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord, then we should profess with our voter’s voice the principles that we believe and see in Scripture.
I realize that this may be a hot topic, but I also realize that all topics seem to be particularly polarizing in today’s political climate. All the more reason to vote according to the Word of God, and not according to the feelings of man. It is the feelings of man that got us to the place we are at today. But it is the principles of God that established this one nation under God.
And as for this one nation, if we choose to no longer be under God, then we are choosing to step out from under His protection and provision. We’ve seen this played out in other countries around the world already. Now, I’m not saying that if we turn our backs on God as a nation that He will completely turn His back on us. I’m saying He may give us what we “want,” and action have consequences.
We’ve also seen throughout history (and scripture) that when nations turn from God and persecution happens, there is also an awakening that happens. There is revival that happens. There is a pouring out of the Holy Spirit due to the desperation of God’s people through that persecution. Persecution brings desperation. And desperation brings alteration.
So for those that believe that Christians shouldn’t meddle in politics, or should leave religion out of it, or that there’s a “separation of church and state” for a reason, I say weren’t not meddling - we’re exercising. The definition of meddling is involving one’s self in an affair to which that person was not invited (my definition). When I turned 18 I was invited to register - with my principles and all - and therefore by definition I’m not meddling because I was invited. I’m exercising because I was invited - just as much as the next fellow.
But I will say, we’re meddling when we take on the roll and responsibilities of the Holy Spirit. You’re not the Assistant Holy Spirit. In fact, I think often times, if you want to assist the Holy Spirit, it’s better to just get out of His way. This can sometimes feel like a very fine line between making our voices heard and being Holy Spirit junior. He was giving the rights and power to convict in a way that only He can.
Sometimes we just have to say our peace and let Him do His job in a way that only He can. And it’s our job to get out of the way so He can. Yes, speak and stand up according to the Word of God, but do so in the most loving way possible. How do you know if this has been done? If you’re able to have a conversation with that person after, then yes.
Always remember, no one wins an argument. At best, you just break down the relationship. At worst, you’re destroying it. It’s the relationship that gives you the right to speak into people’s lives. So if you don’t have a relationship, you don’t have a right. And if you don’t have a right and haven’t been invited, you’re meddling. And we have enough gold meddle-ists.
Everyone that Jesus spoke to or spoke into He had a relationship with. Except those He condemned which, funny enough, were the religious ones. The “worst of the worst” loved Him while the “best of the best” hated Him. Not because He condoned them but because He didn’t condemn them.
True love doesn’t accept harmful behavior, but it doesn’t condemn it either. True love speaks truth boldly while loving powerfully. The truth may be harsh, but it doesn’t have to be spoken harshly. The truth might hurt in the moment, but when spoken in love it will heal.
So don’t be a meddle-ist of any kind. Speak truth in love. No one wins an argument. And the relationship gives the right. It’s never been more important than right now.
What an interesting month July has been. From Parisian Olympics to power-hungry politics, it’s unclear as to who has the best dives, jumps, flips, flops, tumbles, backflips, strokes, chokes, and everything in between. We’ve seen bold acts declaring faith in God, and we’ve seen bold acts mocking Him. We’ve just about seen it all.
There’s plenty of people, both Christians and non-Christians, that believe Christians shouldn’t have anything to do with or in politics. Now, as Americans, we have political rights so I think we have the obligation to practice those rights. All of this, however, must be done through the lens of Scripture. I’m not telling anyone who to vote for, but I am telling everyone to be an informed voter according to the principles we profess through Christ.
When it comes to politics, don’t vote politicians or preferences - vote policies and principles. Policies and principles according to the Word of God. If we confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord, then we should profess with our voter’s voice the principles that we believe and see in Scripture.
I realize that this may be a hot topic, but I also realize that all topics seem to be particularly polarizing in today’s political climate. All the more reason to vote according to the Word of God, and not according to the feelings of man. It is the feelings of man that got us to the place we are at today. But it is the principles of God that established this one nation under God.
And as for this one nation, if we choose to no longer be under God, then we are choosing to step out from under His protection and provision. We’ve seen this played out in other countries around the world already. Now, I’m not saying that if we turn our backs on God as a nation that He will completely turn His back on us. I’m saying He may give us what we “want,” and action have consequences.
We’ve also seen throughout history (and scripture) that when nations turn from God and persecution happens, there is also an awakening that happens. There is revival that happens. There is a pouring out of the Holy Spirit due to the desperation of God’s people through that persecution. Persecution brings desperation. And desperation brings alteration.
So for those that believe that Christians shouldn’t meddle in politics, or should leave religion out of it, or that there’s a “separation of church and state” for a reason, I say weren’t not meddling - we’re exercising. The definition of meddling is involving one’s self in an affair to which that person was not invited (my definition). When I turned 18 I was invited to register - with my principles and all - and therefore by definition I’m not meddling because I was invited. I’m exercising because I was invited - just as much as the next fellow.
But I will say, we’re meddling when we take on the roll and responsibilities of the Holy Spirit. You’re not the Assistant Holy Spirit. In fact, I think often times, if you want to assist the Holy Spirit, it’s better to just get out of His way. This can sometimes feel like a very fine line between making our voices heard and being Holy Spirit junior. He was giving the rights and power to convict in a way that only He can.
Sometimes we just have to say our peace and let Him do His job in a way that only He can. And it’s our job to get out of the way so He can. Yes, speak and stand up according to the Word of God, but do so in the most loving way possible. How do you know if this has been done? If you’re able to have a conversation with that person after, then yes.
Always remember, no one wins an argument. At best, you just break down the relationship. At worst, you’re destroying it. It’s the relationship that gives you the right to speak into people’s lives. So if you don’t have a relationship, you don’t have a right. And if you don’t have a right and haven’t been invited, you’re meddling. And we have enough gold meddle-ists.
Everyone that Jesus spoke to or spoke into He had a relationship with. Except those He condemned which, funny enough, were the religious ones. The “worst of the worst” loved Him while the “best of the best” hated Him. Not because He condoned them but because He didn’t condemn them.
True love doesn’t accept harmful behavior, but it doesn’t condemn it either. True love speaks truth boldly while loving powerfully. The truth may be harsh, but it doesn’t have to be spoken harshly. The truth might hurt in the moment, but when spoken in love it will heal.
So don’t be a meddle-ist of any kind. Speak truth in love. No one wins an argument. And the relationship gives the right. It’s never been more important than right now.
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