Last week’s Republican Convention produced little surge for Romney. The Democratic one in Charlotte, NC this week will likely fare no better. People are not feeling very hopeful. Regardless of what party takes office in November, can there, realistically, be any significant change? U. S. foreign policy will be largely unaffected, healthcare costs will grow, Social Security and Medicare will move closer to default, the national debt will swell, and political gridlock will continue.
I am not being pessismistic, but biblical, when I say there will be increasing lawlessness, confusion, and chaos before Christ returns (2 Thess. 2). The contentious conventions are just part of that! Aren't you glad Jesus said: “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36)?
I am not suggesting we disengage from the political process, but we should abstain from political conflict. After all, Christ called us to build the kingdom of God, defined as righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). I didn't see much of that in Tampa, and don't expect to see it in Charlotte this week either. Wouldn't it be fantastic to go to a convention where everyone is “seeking first the kingdom of God” (Matt. 6:33)?
Good morning Dr. Greg,
ReplyDeleteGood commentary on the conventions.
At issue is that people are looking for something or someone to solve significant and challenging problems. But the best that can be done, is with flawed people with an horizontal perspective. To paraphrase a quote attributed to Einstein, the level of thinking to solve the propblem needs to higher than the level of thinking that created the problem. The solution is not more thinking (quantitive increase) but better thinking (qualitative increase). Making more laws do not make people more good. Moving money or other resources around do not make people more good. It is the work of God to make people good. And without some goodness, evil prevails.
Expecting politics to do what only God can do is like expecting a tea cup to empty the ocean.
Godspeed! Larry Q