Not Relevant

Before getting to my article, I need to make a correction to last week’s article that I didn’t catch in my hurry to submit it on time: the genitive plural of ουρανος is ουρανων (I had said ουρανους, which is accusative plural). Rookie mistake. 

Everyone knows what happened last weekend. We came very, very close to some terrifying times in this country. These are some observations specific only to Christians in the aftermath of the nation’s divided response (and potential futures): 

1. We don’t know what the future holds. While things certainly aren’t ideal (from an earthly perspective) right now, they could have been made much worse overnight. Our earthly security is not as stable as we might be tempted to think. 
2. Earthly security is not what we’re here for. We exist to be people who model Jesus’s love as effectively as we can. External events are just details, the directive never changes. 
3. To a Christian, these events should be considered largely irrelevant. There’s nothing wrong with being informed! It can help us mentally and emotionally prepare our response in times of crisis (cf. I Pt 3.14-17). But that’s about the extent of its value. 
4. God installs presidents, not us (Rom 13.1, Dan 2.21). Whoever he wants in the White House will be in the White House. 
5. We are never permitted to be ugly or hateful to our enemies (cf. Eph 4.29-31; Mt 5.43-45). 
6. This earth is not our home (II Pt 3.7, 10-13). At least not in its current form. 
7. As a holy nation and God’s people, our allegiance is first to Jesus (I Pt 2.9; Phil 3.20), second to whoever he decides to put in charge of our country later this year (Ac 17.26; Dan 2.21; I Pt 2.14-17; Titus 3.1, 8). 

Author: preacherpollard

preacher,Cumberland Trace church of Christ, Bowling Green, Kentucky View all posts by preacherpollard