World Magazine Article – Children of the State

World Magazine, which has often been mentioned by Pastor Steven as he shares a current event with our church, is a magazine that covers national and international news from a Christian perspective.

Pastor Steven found this article in the November 1/8 issue interesting, and thought that it might be of interest to our church family as well.

Children of the State

by Joel Belz

Pastor Steven on the Presidential Election

Church Family,

 

Some have already asked me my opinion about the election of Barack Hussein Obama as the 44th President of the United States. We must first acknowledge the incredible significance of America overwhelmingly electing an African-American as the President. He easily carried the popular vote and won the Electoral College vote almost by a landslide. We as Christians should celebrate the fact that, as the New York Times story reported, the “. . . Racial Barrier Falls.” All Americans will for the first time in our history look to an African-American as our President.

 

However, the momentous significance of Obama’s election is overshadowed for many of us by his political stance on issues that are even more significant. The fight for the sanctity of the life of unborn babies and the struggle to protect marriage against redefinition in unbiblical terms just got harder for us. President-Elect Obama has publically announced his intention to sign the Freedom of Choice Act into law and repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. The fight for what is right on moral issues will be harder than ever and we must persevere in the battle to defend the lived of the unborn.

 

In light of these and other issues that we might disagree on we must remember two things. First, God is sovereign.  His sovereignty and grace call for our diligence to both submit ourselves to the governing authorities and work toward justice in every way possible. Second we must pray. It is our duty to pray for our President-Elect and ask for God to work in his life to make him a godly man and leader. In the words of Albert Mohler:

 

. . . we must commit ourselves to pray for this new President, for his wife and family, for his administration, and for the nation. We are commanded to pray for rulers, and this new President faces challenges that are not only daunting but potentially disastrous. May God grant him wisdom. He and his family will face new challenges and the pressures of this office. May God protect them, give them joy in their family life, and hold them close together.

We must pray that God will protect this nation even as the new President settles into his role as Commander in Chief, and that God will grant peace as he leads the nation through times of trial and international conflict and tension.

We must pray that God would change President-Elect Obama’s mind and heart on issues of our crucial concern. May God change his heart and open his eyes to see abortion as the murder of the innocent unborn, to see marriage as an institution to be defended, and to see a host of issues in a new light. We must pray this from this day until the day he leaves office. God is sovereign, after all.

 

America has chosen her new President, and we as Christians must commit ourselves to pray for him even now.

 

As I have often said from the pulpit, a new President will not bring about the changes needed in the hearts and lives of Americans (no matter which candidate may have won). What America needs is a revival in her churches and a great turning back to the Lord in our homes. This will begin as God’s people repent of sin, commit to holiness, and live for the glory of our King, Jesus. May God show us mercy and grace as we continue to serve Him.

My brothers, these things ought not to be so…

This is a short film done by Desiring God, and I think that it vividly illustrates the admonition given in James 3…

2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.

How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.