Which Convention would Jesus attend?

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)?

If you can’t say something nice…

Did your mother used to tell you “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all”? I think our U.S. Senators, Congressmen, and politicians must not have been listening to their mothers.

As stirring as the emotions sometimes are when involved in the "rightness" of a political cause, those passions need to be under the control of the Holy Spirit. In Titus 3:2, Paul commands us "to malign no one," and refers to cursing, slandering, and treating with contempt. The Greek term rendered "malign" is the one from which we derive the English word blasphemy. If you watch CNN or Fox, or MSNBC; if you listen to Rush or Shawn, Mark Levine, Michael Savage or Michael Reagan, you will hear lots of maligning and scorning of politicians and other public figures. Believers are warned not to enter in to such things. Not only does it show contempt for God’s authority, but is inconsistent with our new nature in Christ.

We are already well into a season of grave electoral choices. And you may already have entered into some heated political discussions. And it’s difficult in the midst of the fray to maintain a spirit of holiness. But whether you are a Republican, Democrat, Independent, or somewhere in between, let us remember we are to “malign no one, to be un-contentious, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.”

The Arab Spring has Sprung a Leak

In an article entitled "Arabs Are Beginning to Miss the Dictatorships" Arab Muslim journalist Khaled Abu Toameh writes: "On the first anniversary of the Arab Spring, many Arabs are beginning to wonder whether they would soon start missing the corrupt dictators who ruled them for the past few decades.”

The Arab Spring was supposed to promote women's rights and political moderation. But, Khaled says, “judging from results in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya, it is evident that the "Arab Spring" has failed to achieve any of these goals.”  (Seems to me, their "Spring" has sprung a leak.)

Khaled says the 3 nations where dictators were toppled are now in the hands of Muslim fundamentalists who used "Arab Spring" to gain power. Khaled says the White House was warned the Muslim Brotherhood would hijack the democratic movement and impose radical Islam on the people.

The people of the world are watching these events to see if democracy will take root, as though that will bring about peace.  The solution won't be found in any form of government.  Not  for the Arabs.  Not for the U.S.  We all await the final solution when Christ returns to rule the earth, when “the government will be upon His shoulder, and of the increase of peace there will be no end” (Isaiah 9:6-7).