Making the Church Great Again God Chasing

Recently, I received an email stating that if Christians don't support Donald Trump for president nosotros can "kiss our country cheerio." Information technology said something to the result of, "Sure he isn't all that decent, but if that'south what it takes for our economy to be potent, our borders to be secure, and our nation to exist great, then and so be it." It suggested God sent us Trump to preserve our capitalism, our patriotism, and general way of life; that perhaps Trump is God's tool to relieve our land.

I'm not going to annotate on whether any of that is accurate or not, but the electronic mail did go me thinking...

What if God doesn't want to Brand America Great Once again? Or mayhap, what if God's definition of swell looks a lot unlike than what many of united states are hoping for? What if saving our land (whatever is meant by that) is not really what God has in heed?

I'm not saying that God wants to run across America destroyed, merely I'm wondering if we make some false assumptions when nosotros think God wants us rich and safe or whatsoever other things people mean when they say they want America to be bang-up again.

Gear up aside the fact that many of us will disagree on what actually makes our state great and consider why we recall God wants usa wealthy, secure and politically free. Jesus was none of the higher up. Nor were his first disciples or the early church or many Christians around the world today. None of those things are promised to united states of america. None of those things are necessary to live a faithful life.

Have we become so attached to our stuff that we are certain God wants us to go on it? Take we become so accustomed to having a vote that we presume that'due south how God orders the world? Are we and so desperate for security that we are willing to compromise our most bones values to achieve it? And so opposed to our enemies that we are confident God hates them as much equally nosotros practice?

But we have petty time for that sort of greatness. "Be A Retainer" isn't an attractive campaign slogan. Not when we have elections to win and businesses to boycott and borders to secure. Jesus says his Kingdom is not of this world, but we would say our kingdom certainly is and, well, all that loving and forgiving stuff works in church, just this here is the real world.

And then we declare our fidelity. Nosotros cull earthly greatness and ability and success and security over the way of the cross. Nosotros justify our lack of loving our neighbors because we have to protect our version of the American dream. We cling to political liberty at all costs and notice ourselves chained to platforms and politicians.

I'g not anti-American. I'thou non an agitator. I program to vote in the coming election. I'm merely not going to assume that God's deepest desire for u.s. is something as fleeting as prosperity or political freedom. I'one thousand not convinced God is hoping we elect the proper candidate then he can finally become to piece of work in our country.

While I strongly believe in "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" and want those things for all people (literally, all the people), I am not dependent on them. Nor practice I recollect those are the highest things a person can achieve.

Non when our Savior started life equally a refugee, lived under the military machine occupation of his enemies, spent his ministry years homeless, and was persecuted to the point of execution.

Not when the majority of our Scriptures were written to or about people with no liberty, no security, and no wealth. People who often neglected their religion whenever they had actually attained those very things.

And not when many of us are willing to ignore the teachings of Christ in lodge to make a nation keen. If I can't brand America bully past living the mode of Christ, then I desire no part in that greatness. And I don't remember God does either.

If we live and honey like Jesus of Nazareth at the expense of privilege or safety, I believe America (and the rest of the globe) will be greater because of it. Not because nosotros have accumulated all the power and all the wealth, but because we have been faithful. Because being faithful to the way of Jesus is the merely way to exist truly great.

So inform yourself and vote if you feel so led. Simply long before and long after your ballot is cast, consider what things you are grasping for, what things motivate and excite you, and what things y'all assume God wants for yous. And then compare them to the life of Jesus.

I imagine we will find we have spent a lot of time and money and energy and yard signs on a greatness that is at best temporary and at worst idolatry. We've been invited to something better than anything a political leader tin offer and we've been charged to live in such a style that it doesn't ultimately affair where nosotros reside or what we possess.

May nosotros be faithful first. Even when the culling sounds safer and more comfy. May nosotros choose Jesus and his cross today and every solar day. Even when it costs us elections and political position. And may we see the world get equally great as it's always been.

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Source: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/what-if-god-doesnt-want-to-make-america-great-again_b_578b037be4b0e7c873504a05

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