Seriously, is it possible that people are finally so fed up and discouraged with the political climate that it can be a wake-up call to what really matters in life? Now, to be fair, there are many good politicians in all parties that want to accomplish good things and actually help people. But is seems almost impossible for them to do that when the political culture has become similar to the Old Testament false idols, demanding our time, money, and pledge of allegiance to a particular party or cause! Each side wants only to win, and demonize and make “losers” of half the country that they consider the “enemy”. Nobody wins in that evil system! It has led to hatred, division, corruption, weak and immoral character traits that only discourage the people and leave a bitter taste of hopelessness in their mouth. We Christians should know better than to get sucked into these demeaning arguments. We know the difference between the debilitating effects of sin, as opposed to the freedom, joy, and new life once we open our hearts to Jesus! Remember Paul’s words in Galatians 5:19-26 (NIV):
19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. perfect
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Wow! Verses 19-21 pretty much sum up the political and moral stumbling blocks our culture deals with today! But as Christians, how do we pivot in our words and behavior to truly “live by the Spirit”, and demonstrate the “fruit of the Spirit” in verses 22-25? We begin by recognizing the answers to life’s deepest needs will never be found in politics or secular culture. Many Christians teachers have said that because of our sinful nature, we all have 3 fundamental needs:
1) To believe: all all human hearts need to have faith is something or Someone
2) To belong: all human hearts need to experience community and family
3) To become: all human hearts need to grow, stretch, and and reach their potential (a purpose in life)
Sadly, for those who have no faith in God, those 3 needs are often sought in politics because they have no where else to turn. They believe in a particular leader or party, they give all their time, money and energy to belong to their group of like-minded individuals, and they hope in futility that their cause will will win and become the perfect, utopian society that their leaders have promised. Of course it never happens, and the cycle continues with the other side “winning” and then eventually blaming their enemies for why they couldn’t do it either!

God, of course, has a much better plan. He sent his Son Jesus to die for ALL of us on the cross, and through his death to offer us the opportunity to trust Him and receive complete forgiveness for our sins, and finally, power to live a new life through the power of the Holy Spirit of God himself. God desires everybody to trust in Jesus, and for those who do believe, we are now ALL winners! in Jesus’ Kingdom, there is to be no division, hatred, jealousy, or anything else that now divides us; we become one in Christ, and he is able to break down all the barriers that sin sets up in our lives.

How do we as believers speak and live out this hope we have found in Jesus? We begin by not looking to politics or the world’s solutions, but rather keep our eyes on Jesus and follow his example. Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV) tells us:
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
In his wonderful book “Stay The Course”, Chicago pastor Choco DeJesus lists 4 responses Christians give to changes in our culture. We may have done all 4 at times, but only one is really biblical! They are:
1) Accommodate- they accept every lifestyle and belief as equally valid, so as not to offend anyone
2) Oppose change- they see others as enemies who threaten their beliefs, and they become defensive and won’t talk with “those people”
3) Withdraw- they think their voice isn’t heard anyway, or they don’t want to get involved in the messiness of our culture
4) Engage (the biblical way!)- like Jesus, we engage change with a beautiful blend of truth, grace, and purpose!
That’s tough, but remember Jesus calls us to be “in the world but not of the world”, and also to be “salt and light”, bringing light to the darkness and the seasoning of grace, truth, and love to a decaying culture!
This engagement means getting involved in the messiness and sin of the world, and includes Christian involved in politics at every level, but with their devotion to Jesus first, and not any political party or movement.

Can we really engage the culture with sacrificial love, like Jesus did when he gave his life for us? Will it make a difference? Look at an example from the Roman Empire. There were 2 major plagues, one in 165 and one in 251, that devastated the empire and wiped out about 1/3 of the people. They prayed to the Roman gods, with no answer, and when their doctors couldn’t help & left town, the people abandoned their sick families and left them to die. The Christians, however, didn’t run. They stayed to care for their own families, and they also cared for the abandoned Roman families. Many of the Christian caretakers got sick and died as well, but they also saved many people. The Romans noticed the sacrifice and love of these Christians, and it changed the Empire. In the next 200 years, as this story was retold, the percentage of Christians went from about 1% to 25% of the total populace! If we love like Jesus loves us, we CAN change the world!

Christians, are we finally fed up enough with our culture to return to our first love, Jesus and his Kingdom? Will we again seek to love God with all of our heart and soul and mind and strength, and then, like Jesus modeled, love our neighbor as ourselves? Remember, we have already won! Jesus is victorious over death itself, and we will inherit his Kingdom and live forever in His presence. We have nothing ultimately to lose. Are we willing to engage our messy culture like Jesus would, to love those who disagree with us and embrace the poor, outcast, and powerless? Can we be agents of sacrificial love, bringing reconciliation to warring factions? Can we share the truth of Jesus in a way that is gracious and inviting, not condemning? Can we live and talk in a way radically different than the culture, giving off an aroma of grace, forgiveness, new life, and hope that permeates from our intimate relationship with Jesus? Yes, the world can be different. It begins with the followers of Jesus. Are you ready to join forces and change the world, Jesus style? Let’s go!

It may be a blessing in disguise that most people are upset with the leadership choices we have for President this year! Yes, they both have serious character and leadership flaws, but it’s also true that every leader in history (except for Jesus) has had some character flaws to some degree or another! (And so do you and I!) That doesn’t excuse their weaknesses, but it should alert us to the fact that everyone craves honest, caring, servant-minded leaders that put the needs of their people above their own. This is true in every area of life, whether it be politics, business, churches, social institutions, schools, and especially our homes. Leadership expert John Maxwell is fond of saying “Everything rises and falls on leadership!”, and he is exactly right. The Bible, from cover to cover, is stories about various leaders and how their leadership was either a blessing or curse to their people. Even the best leaders, like King David, Moses, and the apostle Peter, had some epic failures in their early lives. But God didn’t throw them away; he gave them a chance to repent, humble themselves, and then he painstakingly worked on their character, heart, and leadership abilities until they were transformed into strong, effective, and caring servant-leaders.

The only perfect leader to walk the earth was Jesus, fully God and fully man! Even his enemies were never able to find a flaw in his motives or words, as much as they hated to admit it! John Maxwell looked at the total Bible from a leadership perspective and came up with a “Leadership Bible”, my favorite Bible to study. I would like to borrow some of his observations about both the tough and tender sides of Jesus’ leadership approach and his effect on early Christian leaders:
– Husband and Wife: A supportive, covenant relationship in which the leader shows love and commitment. 2 Corinthians 11:2 (NIV) – 2 I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.
– Head & Body: A governing, protecting relationship in which the leader gives direction. Ephesians 4:15-16 (NIV) 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
– Vine & Branches: A picture of the leader as a source of nourishment. John 15:5 (NIV) 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
– Potter & Clay: A picture of responsibility & surrender, as the leader develops the people. Romans 9:21 (NIV) 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?
Shepherd & Sheep: A picture of warmth and beauty. The leader guides & protects his sheep. John 10:11 (NIV) 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
– King & Citizens: A picture of wisdom & influence. The leader guides the people. Ephesians 2:19 (NIV) 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household,
– Priest & Worshipers: A picture of godliness & spiritual intimacy.The leader connects people to God. 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV) 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Of course, no human leader is going to perfectly live up to all those qualities. But ALL of us can improve and grow to become more like Jesus, and we need to start supporting and focusing on leaders who desire to become highly compassionate, competent, and committed leaders. How can we do this?
1) Start with yourself!
Everyone is a leader of some sort! Leadership is influence, and we ALL have influence over somebody. Are you disciplining yourself to grow and mature physically, mentally, and spiritually? Are you intentional about it, or does it just sound like a good idea that you never actually get around to doing? We can’t effectively lead anyone else if we can’t first lead ourselves!
2) Encourage and mentor younger people to grow in character and leadership ability!
Some of us baby-boomers, especially, have some wisdom and good experience to pass on to promising younger leaders. If we want a better life for people, we have to have better leaders! CJ and I just had the opportunity to attend the Global Leadership Summit, a world-wide event showcasing wonderful leaders from the business & faith community. Their purpose is to raise up powerful leaders of integrity, character, & vision in every country in the world, and thus change the world through strong, faithful leaders. It was amazing to hear the stories around the world of how God is using willing and humble leaders to change lives in marvelous ways! I believe God will use leaders like this probably much more than he will use our traditional and tired old government structures. If you’re interested, go the Willow Creek Association and look under the GLS information, and you’ll be inspired too! There is hope, in spite of what we often see on the news today.
3) PRAY for the leaders we have!
No matter who wins, nationally or locally, God can still touch their hearts and use them ( I know some of you have doubts about that!) Pray for humility and repentance for ALL leaders (starting with yourself), and expect God to do his thing in ways that we can’t see right now. After all , He IS sovereign over all the world, and the day will come when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord! God will judge leaders of every generation, and no one will “get away” with corruption, deception, and evil deeds. So, don’t get bent out of shape about that stuff! Instead, remember that God is still looking for leaders of integrity to change the world! Will you and I be one of them? Will we pray for and mentor new young leaders? Will we even pray for the sometimes woefully inadequate leaders we have presently, knowing how Jesus offers them grace and a 2nd chance, just like he does us? Or, will we also be disobedient, and choose instead to sit on the sidelines and just complain? I hope not! God is calling all his leaders; it’s time to lead! Let’s go do it!

Did you ever notice that one of the numerous amazing things Jesus could do as the Son of God was to discern exactly what people were thinking? He could see into the deep,inner recesses of a person’s heart ( the biblical concept of heart is the center of our thoughts, emotions, and will). In John ch.2 it says: 23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name. 24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. 25 He did not need man’s testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man. John 2:23-25 (NIV)
In the Old Testament, when God was leading the priest Samuel to anoint the next King, he lead him to David, the “runt of the litter” in his family, much to his surprise. It says in I Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him (their present King, Saul). The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)

What does this mean for you and me? It means that Jesus (God) knows every thought you and I have ever had… from the best, most loving and selfless thoughts to the worst, most evil, conniving, and self-centered thoughts! Yes, we are all flawed (sinful), and even when we do good things we sometimes do them for the wrong or at least mixed motives. Even when we think we will be totally faithful to God, he knows us better than we know ourselves, and he recognizes we will fail at times due to doubt or fear. (Remember Peter, the most courageous follower of Jesus? On the night Jesus was arrested, Peter swore he would never desert Jesus. But Jesus knew his heart, and rightly predicted Peter would deny him 3 times that very night, which he did!)
Fortunately, no one fully knows our hearts like God does, and he loves us immensely and forgives our destructive thoughts and works through the Holy Spirit to transform our broken minds and hearts so that we can actually have the mind of Jesus! How would you feel if you worst thoughts were emails, and someone was able to hack into your thought accounts and share them with the world over the internet? It could be pretty embarrassing for me, and I think for you as well!

So, why are we in our culture so quick to “pre-judge” others and use labels to define them, rather than actually take the time and effort to actually discern what is really in their heart? If our goal as Christians is to continually grow and mature to become more like Jesus, then we also need to learn to better discern the true heart of the person we talk about. Most people have the same desires for their life and family, but our divisive, politically-driven culture seeks to divide us and put us into categories and labels so we can easily dismiss the other person, falsely believing that it is somehow good for me to win and you to lose! Jesus came to offer forgiveness, redemption, and abundant life to ALL who believe in Him, desiring for everyone to accept this offer of Good News.

As Christians, we need to be leaders in changing the conversation away from divisive political labels and focus instead on how Jesus can bring us forgiveness and reconciliation. Maybe the disgust over politics today is a blessing in disguise: rather than spend our time, energy, and money on political interests, we can re-focus on the Kingdom of God and how Jesus can use US to change the world! How can we do this?

1) Stop pre-judging others, labeling them, and instead try to get to know them and seek their real heart and motives! Jesus warned us in Luke 6:
41 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 42 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. 43 “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. 45 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:41-45 (NIV)
God is calling us to humble ourselves and offer his forgiveness and hope to non-believers, not focus on the external things we dislike about them. Seek to look deeper than the surface of those you disagree with, and look for the good intentions that might be in their heart. When we see good thoughts and actions, point them out, and that might lead to future conversations where we might have an opportunity to more fully share about Jesus and what he offers us all.

2) PRAY! Pray for God to make you more sensitive to see others’ true hearts. Pray for opportunities for God to use you each day to touch others through your attitudes and actions!
Political parties, economic systems, and even our government cannot give us what we all ultimately need. That can only be found in a personal relationship with God, through His Son, Jesus. We Christians already know that. God is doing amazing things around the world through his servants who humbly submit to his plan. He will give us the ability to discern what he is calling us to do, and the power to do it. But we need to stop looking to external political corruption for answers, and instead focus on the heart of God and then discern the heart of those he calls us to love. I’m going to try to re-focus (again) my time, effort, and resources toward Kingdom building. Will you join me?

All humans are “tribal” by nature. By that I mean we all belong, voluntarily and involuntarily, to various groups. We are born male or female, of a particular race, and we in the U.S. are born “Americans” (although the Canadians, Central & South Americans may disagree with that designation!). We are born in a certain state, city, and go to certain schools that influence who we are & how we view ourselves. Then we freely choose tribes, based on who we associate with, such a politics, faith, etc. Some of these tribal associations are positive and make us better in character, and others are destruction and downright evil in their ideology (the KKK, Nazis, etc.) Some tribes are just meant for fun & entertainment (Spartans, Wolverines), although some of us take that WAY to seriously!

But, because we are all sinners (flawed in thought, character, & actions), in every generation there are those who use our tribal differences to accuse, blame, and belittle other tribes so that they can feel better and superior (or today, raise political contributions & gain power to impose their tribal views on others). Such action causes pain, division, and brokenness, and we as Christians must recognize that as sinful and refuse to participate in such behavior. In Galatians 5, Paul lists discord & dissention as common sins of our human nature that Christians are to avoid:
19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV) Just like today, people in Jesus’ day identified with certain tribes & hated the others! (They just didn’t have the Internet to spew their hatred as we so easily do today!) The Jews acted self-righteously at times and hated Gentiles, calling them fit only for the fires of Hell! In Temple worship, the Jewish men worshiped in an area closest to the front, then the Jewish woman in the next area, then there was a wall and the Gentiles could worship beyond that. There was a friendly sign on that wall warning the Gentiles that if they crossed past that wall, they would be killed!

So, what happened to change that? Jesus came and offered God’s grace to bring us forgiveness and the power to change our hearts! (See my last blog on grace to understand that better) When we trust our lives fully to Jesus and accept God’s offer of forgiveness, he empowers us through the Holy Spirit to begin to forgive others even of the most hateful and destructive deeds. He makes us into new creations and give us a new heart with the ability to love more like Jesus loves us. He calls us to commit our lives to him above all else, and make the Kingdom of God our ultimate tribe!
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 (NIV) In the New Testament times, when people surrendered their tribal identities and made Jesus Lord of their lives and focused on His Kingdom as their main identity, they were able to forgive each other, love each other, and live together as brothers & sisters in Christ! The same has happened in every generation, and can happen today. The dividing walls can come down, and unity can happen. Look at how Paul describes this amazing transition in Ephesians 2:11-22:
11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (that done in the body by the hands of men)– 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
God changed their hearts, which changed how they saw others, and they began to love and act like Jesus! Look at Paul’s description in Colossians 3:7-14 (NIV)
7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

So, what are we to do as Christians?
We are given the task of being reconcilers in our culture!
18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (NIV)
On a daily basis, we can :
1) PRAY! Pray for your enemies, those who are different, and pray that God will open your heart and eyes to see others as Jesus sees them. Prayer connects us with God and he shows us how he wants to us us to be reconcilers in our sphere of the world.
2) Watch what you say and how you say it! Use the acronym THINK: Is it True? Is it Helpful? Is it Informative? Is it Necessary? Is it Kind?
Paul says it well in Ephesians 4:29-32:
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
3) Look for, work with, and support groups and causes that are positively working at bringing reconciliation and peace to our world, not only in the U.S., but around the world.
This is not only a cultural battle, but a spiritual one as well. Pray and take up the ministry of reconciliation that Jesus has called his people to, and let’s advance His Kingdom of peace and love!