For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. -1 Corinthians 2:2 (NLT)
Let me remind you today—as you continue to fast and pray for our nation—that the Kingdom of Christ is not an earthly kingdom. Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1:23, So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. We have to look at everything through the lens of Scripture. Jesus never urged His disciples to ‘fight for the right political figures to end up in Rome.’ He was only focused on His Kingdom. Here is what He said in John 18:36 (NLT) as He stood before Pilate (after being arrested). Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.” Jesus made it clear to His disciples that they would be persecuted and that the world would hate them (because of their faith in Him). Pray? Yes! Fight in the flesh? No.
What we witnessed yesterday was tragic. Horrific. Demonic. And it’s irrelevant who was ‘behind’ it. It was evil, period. I agree with Beth Moore: “I don’t know the Jesus some have paraded and waved around in the middle of this treachery today. They may be acting in the name of some other Jesus but that’s not Jesus of the Gospels.”
Jesus told Peter to put away his sword, not to take action (by fighting). Jesus didn’t ask His disciples to defend Him when He was betrayed and led away. He did, however, ask them to ‘watch and pray’ with Him. We have to remember that our battle is not against flesh and blood. The only way to fight is on our knees.
“Maybe we will jettison our habit of looking for politicians to preserve remnants of Christian culture, and refocus on making disciples that lead godly lives, raise godly families, and radiate gospel culture everywhere they place their feet.” -Pastor Erik Reed
How we respond matters.
How we react matters.
What we post on social media matters.
I will end by sharing the words of Pastor David Cassidy. “The task of the Church is not to make America Great Again but to make Jesus known everywhere. Make Christianity Christian again.”
People are watching.
More importantly, God is watching.
Pray.
Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. -2 Chronicles 7:14 (NLT)
