For those of you involved in our election process…

“Do all things without complaining and disputing,  that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…” -Philippians 4:14-15 NKJV

Hi friends, I have a few words today (okay, about 1,000 words but bear with me) for my dearest countrymen and women, the Christian Americans.

There are roughly 300,000,000 adults in the United States. How many political opinions does that make?

We live in a nation founded on the ideology that society should be governed by “We the People”. In each election cycle, we’re reminded of this reality as politicians, doctors, businessmen, activists, and others campaign for public service. Even the most disengaged individual is at least aware of this fact and probably has some opinion regarding the manner in which our nation should be ruled. Just like every other form of government, we must live with the good, the bad, and the ugly of our choices regardless who makes them.

As United States citizens, we are the people who comprise this federal republic.

Christians are members of a higher government called the Kingdom of God. This kingdom is not founded upon any ideology, but rather an unconditional and unchanging decree made by Father God that Jesus Christ alone is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Christians, that is, those who believe in Jesus and follow His leadership, are called to rule and reign with Jesus according to a greater law set forth in motion by the grace and truth of our Lord and King. The Kingdom of God is truly a kingdom, governed by the rule of One and administered through the gift of inheritance. God’s kingdom is established through the Spirit of Adoption.

As Christians, we are the people who comprise this supreme monarchy of Fatherly Inheritance.

I have something very simple to point out today. As Christians, our first allegiance is to the Kingdom of God. The United States plays second fiddle. Always.

However, as Christians, we are members of a government that currently abides in fullness in heaven only, until the great prayer, “Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven,“ is fully answered. This means that until the advent (coming) of the Kingdom of God assumes full control over the nations of the earth (through the personal return of Jesus), we Christians are ambassadors of His kingdom here and now.

We possess His grace, His message, and the gifts of His kingdom. The goal of God’s spiritual government on earth (that is, the local Church), is to share His grace, His message (the testimony [prophetic story] of Jesus), and His gifts with everyone to whom He has sent us.

To whom has He sent us?

Jesus has sent us to the individuals who abide in our families, our churches, our schools, our government, and in every facet of culture that is represented in the nation(s) in which we live.

How are we sent?

In humility and submission, knowing that freedom comes from within by the Holy Spirit.

Christians are called without exception to abide as ambassadors in our earthly nation to walk in humility and submission to every construct of society and government that does not rob us of our first allegiance to Jesus Christ.

Oh, and we’re supposed to do so without grumbling or complaining.

Its an election year, and my hope and prayer is that the Church can take a greater stand in our society not just in contending for just and righteous laws, but also in HOW we do our contending.

I have many issues with Donald Trump especially, many of the Republican candidates, and frankly the whole of the Democratic party. I have many opinions, and like an aspiring good public citizen, I’m going to discuss the opinions of myself and others while personally campaigning for the best possible representatives we can get into office.

However, what I want to do a better job of this year is in HOW I go about my efforts.

I will leave you with two tips on how to ‘fight your fight’ and ‘share your opinion’.

1. In humility, recognize that our current candidates and political landscape is merely a reflection of the desire of our nation’s individuals.

At my writing, I am pretty sure Trump and Sanders are the frontrunners among those I know personally. Slandering Trump and Sanders is not beneficial to anything. For instance, how did that help ‘the good guys’ beat Obama? It didn’t.

The people who affected the most positive change in the past eight years are those who prayed, voted, wrote bills to be presented to congress, signed petitions, and shared the vision of biblical justice with anyone who would listen.

There have been so many protests I’ve already forgotten most of them, but most of those I remember leave a bad taste in my mouth. If you do protest, do so peacefully as one who resists injustice through patience, fleeing from the masses of hate, slander, obstruction of property, and societal rebellion.

2. In submission, accept what cannot be changed in the natural at this present time and pray for divine intervention.

I am completely serious. Our laws and representatives will always reflect a mixture of the will of the people and the purchase of the vote. Apart from divine intervention, that won’t change until Jesus returns. Breaking laws we don’t agree with is unbiblical unless the law in question violates our expression of our faith.

How many of the masses and the vote buyers reflect your personal views? Voting always represents the current condition of society. If we want laws that represent the values of our faith we need individuals to encounter the love and mercy of Jesus. Political arguments do not save nations. Jesus saves nations!

I don’t mean to be rude but we need a grip on reality. A republic governed by the people requires compromise, and the kingdom of the next age will not ask for your vote. Submission isn’t a placeholder for true freedom, it is an eternal prerequisite for true freedom.

We have too many critics and grumblers, but not enough cross bearers. There are too many causes, but not enough justice.

Finally, when the dust settles and a new administration takes its seat, remember that great change comes to the fervent prayer of the righteous, not the beating fist of the entitled grumbler.

I would love to hear what you have to say. Comment below or find me on Twitter @JSMarek