The following post was written by J David Peever, at Live 4 Him. I’d been working on a post about this same topic, however this post pretty much sums up what God was laying upon my heart to say.
This week I thought I would take an even bigger chance and address something I think we have got wrong. What I am about to suggest goes against what has been considered conventional wisdom for quite some time. Even more dangerous, what I am about to say can be easily twisted to make it look like I support sinful acts rather than have problems with the way we have tried to address them. As I look at the state of North American Christianity I have to wonder if we have gotten it all wrong.
I am afraid to say this but I think it must be said…
No law has ever created a Christ follower. I would even go as far as to say Christianity has suffered because the culture and laws created have become a replacement for the transformation of thought and actions that is central to anyone who fully embraces Jesus. Before I go any further let me state that I believe the Bible is clear when it comes to sexual activity outside of God’s intentions for His creation. I also believe that the Bible is clear when it comes to ending a life. That being said I am not sure that the level of energy we put into fighting abortion and LGBTQ2 issues have been effective. Maybe we have it all wrong.
I want a world where the Bible is the only guide for living.
We live in a world that is far from it.
History has shown that countries/empires that have proclaimed their loyalty to the God of the Bible have ended up further away from God. The laws enacted have been a reflection of the belief system of those who made the laws but by the third or fourth generation the laws are just that, laws. God is not personally known or experienced but rather He is explained through the culture, laws of the land and the way of life that has become the norm. People start asking why, why do these laws limit us? Why do we follow a system designed around a belief system we don’t share? Why can’t I/we live the way we want to live? Maybe we have it all wrong.
Saul became Paul by meeting Jesus personally.
Saul’s actions were legal. His persecution of those who belonged to the sect called The Way had the approval of both the religious and political leaders of his time. He was convinced that he was doing the right thing until he met Jesus. Saul became Paul not because of the prevailing culture and laws but in spite of them. If each generation was introduced to God not through laws that lack any personal connection but through relationship with the One who defines right and wrong, maybe things would change. Maybe we have it all wrong.
It grieves God when we sin.
Sin separates us from God. Jesus through His death conquered sin and reconciles us with God if we are willing to put our faith in Him. The price paid was too high for us to create a culture of Christian laws without introducing anyone to Christ. Our fate is sealed by sin no matter what laws we pass and follow.
If we truly love our neighbour and love God how can we be more interested in forming a Christian culture than we are in others forming a relationship with God? Maybe we have it all wrong.
With all the attention paid to numerical church growth, it amazes me that we hear more about politics and Christian based legislation than actually reaching people with the transformational message of the Gospel. The North American church has had an obsession with butts in pews and legislation that matches our Christian values and morals. We are so obsessed that we have become blinded to the fact that transformation would put butts in the pews and lead to people living out Christian values and morals regardless of the legislation. Maybe we have it all wrong.
Before you think that I have it all wrong…
I am not a supporter of alternative lifestyles or abortion but I am a strong believer that Christ not legislation is the way to change the world around us. Sin is the free pass into eternal torment. Jesus is the free pass into eternal life. Laws are reflections of the values and morals of those who create/support them not a reflection of the hearts of those forced to obey them. Change laws or change lives; which should we put most of our resources into? Hint; one creates the appearance of godliness, the other leads to Godliness – Maybe we have it all wrong.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (NIV)
NOTE From Marques: Just to ensure that I am clarifying what J David is saying here; We should definitely pray and vote for leaders who will promote Biblical values, HOWEVER our dependence should not be in these politicians, our dependence must always be in Jesus Christ to work through us to share the Gospel with the lost. Laws won’t change a person’s heart , only the power of the Gospel can do that.
Overcoming The Times 
Thanks for posting this, Marques. I believe Christians in America allow themselves to get drawn into temporal worldly politics and circumstances way too far instead of emphasizing the spiritual as ambassadors and emissaries of our King as we should.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I completely agree, Tom.
I’ve been praying to God a lot about this subject for a long time, and J. David’s post just embodied pretty much everything God was saying back to me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have some Christian relatives who are getting all wrapped up in this upcoming election.
LikeLike
Yes, I do too. Some for Trump and some for Buydin.
I always encourage anyone who asks my thoughts, to pray first, and then vote for the candidate who most represents their convictions. Politics is dirty, because often times the lawmakers are the biggest ones breaking the laws that they’ve made.
Laws have never stopped a woman from aborting a baby, or a person from living out an LGBTQ lifestyle…But when they place their faith in the Grace of Jesus Christ alone, the lady sees her child as a blessing from God; And a person wants to live a heterosexual lifestyle inline with God’s will.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Right, you can put all of your effort into trying to legislate “morality” but nobody trusts in Christ that way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Saul became Paul by meeting Jesus personally.”
Marques, you should take another look at that quote. Nowhere in the New Testament does it say that Saul became Paul after his conversion. Paul was known by two names: Saul being a Jewish name and Paul, most likely it was a gentile one.
Marques, you don’t find this statement off? “That being said I am not sure that the level of energy we put into fighting abortion and LGBTQ2 issues have been effective. Maybe we have it all wrong.
If we preach the Gospel and tell people that a decision to end a life and that those who live as a homosexual will die lost if there is no repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. I’m assuming the word “fighting” suggests that a Christian is telling the person what the Scripture says about those two issues. How is that wrong? That is what all Christians [genuine ones] teach and preach.
I think you would do better if you wrote down yours instead of posting someone else’s. I found more stuff that is kind of strange. Just my thoughts. I think your understanding of the Scriptures and applying it for today would be better than this guy.
Keep up the good work you are doing in WordPress. May the Lord Jesus Christ be glorified today. and forever
LikeLike
Hi, Alex, when J. David speaks of Saul/Paul meeting Jesus personally, he’s referring to the following:
Acts 9 Is the account of Saul/Paul’s encounter with Jesus.
Acts 26 Paul goes into detail about his encounter with Jesus, while speaking with Agrippa. I’ll post a portion, and take note of verse 16.
14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
8 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
The context of J David’s article is that perhaps many Christians are putting too much energy, faith, dependence in politicians to “fight” against abortion and gay rights, via passing laws.
It’s almost like Satan is trying to corrupt many Christians into behaving like Pharisees, or applying a Roman Catholic theology, where they believe that Christian Laws will save this nation. Our Republican leaders can promise to pass laws against abortion and gay activities, but the unsaved will still find ways to break these laws.
Man can’t keep man’s laws, nor can they keep God’s laws.
From the comments on David’s site, I see that he does agree with you and I that a person is changed via acceptance of the preached Gospel.
Alex, the preached Gospel that you, myself, and other sincere Christian Bloggers share here on WP, will have a stronger positive impact on people, than any law that comes out of Washington D.C. Because acceptance of the Gospel brings about the heart change that is necessary for a person to no longer want to have an abortion and to no longer want to be gay.
President Trump has a slogan about “Making America Great Again”; And that’s just a promise he won’t be able to keep, regardless of his intentions, because there will always be those who rebel against any established laws..
HOWEVER
God is a promise keeper: And we have the assurance that “Eternity Will Be Glorious Forever” for every person who responds to the Gospel of grace, by receiving Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.
LikeLike
May you have a blessed day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I pray that you will enjoy a blessed day also, my brother in Christ.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent article. Many disagree with me, but I think that a follower of Jesus should not vote. Either candidate usually supports something contrary to the teaching of Jesus. No matter who we vote for we are voting for evil. We certainly should not be supporting legislation to force people who do not follow Jesus to conform to our favorite moral issue. I wrote on my blog “Why I won’t be Voting in 2020” in December of 2019.
LikeLike
Hi, John. I will certainly respect your personal convictions. Politics is very messy.
I too am concerned about the direction of both parties. Personally, I’ve prayed very long and hard about what I should do; And God has given me peace about voting for the candidate who will best address the concerns that I have, so I’ll be voting for the lesser of the two evils.
No matter who wins this election, my faith and trust is in Jesus Christ, because He alone is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Have a great day!
LikeLike