We do not have a political problem. We have a God problem.

This is the most important election of our lifetime. Never has there been a more vital election to the preservation of America. This election will determine the fate of a nation. Everything is on the line in this election. Did you cringe reading any of these statements? I did writing them.

Billions will be spent promoting political candidates. Hours spent watching and listening to political ads and politicians. Election after election, year after year, always the same message; this time will be different. This time we will make a change. Yet, here we are. Division, strife, deceit. Think of a negative word, watch the news or social media, you will hear it.

I am not here to pick sides. I don’t have a political side. I did. Years of politicians running on platforms of, “I’m just like you or I can relate.” Only then to leave politics with truck loads of money. The difference made is vast sums of more debt, more division, and poorer citizens.

Despite decades and decades of politicians running on platforms of change, blaming the other party, restoring morals and values, healing a nation, we see only a few bread crumbs thrown down just to keep us fed and happy for the next political agenda and platform. We throw money to campaigns. We give up time and energy. We argue, become angry, lose friends, lose family. We defend at all costs, give benefit of the doubt, march in the streets. Its always the other sides fault, lets push on. It will be different next time. Yet, here we are.

Do you have that same love and passion for God as with politics and political candidates? We use bumper stickers, flags, yard signs, shirts, hats, jackets, and wrist bands displaying our favorite candidate or party. We buy, read, and promote books, articles, magazines about the hot political topic or politician. Does any of this apply to how we display our faith in God?

Throughout history, faithful people have spoken the Word of God to leaders, often costing them their lives. Speaking the Word of God to authorities is part of the Mission of the Church in the world. It is only in the modern era the Church has NOT done this! The Church is to speak to government to conform to God’s Word, not the other way around. Psalm 2 says, “Kings, be wise;… serve the Lord with reverential awe…or you will perish in your rebellion.” Every ruler is to bow their knee to God.

Does this sound like anything we see today? Absolutely not. We elect politicians that at best make concessions and appeasement. The Church is not to appease or compromise with government if it goes against God, Scripture, His Word. Compromise is made, and government policy slowly and slowly creeps into morality. Government policy is more and more a threat to the Church. Yes, here we are.

Time and money spent for political appeasement and compromise should not be in the heart of a Christian. We are commanded by Scripture to pray for our leaders. Present the Gospel to the sinner boldly and pray for their salvation. Apostle Paul wrote, “I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority.” We must pray for all leaders, boldly proclaiming the Gospel to those in authority.

Throughout history, there have been leaders who strongly oppressed God’s Word, and those who took a more lenient or even belief in God’s Word. John the Baptist lost his life to present the truth to King Herod. Jesus spoke of the Apostle Paul in Acts, “Go, for this man is my chosen instrument to take my name to Gentiles, kings, and Israelites. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name” (Acts 9:15). We pray for ALL leaders. Preaching the Word to them at all costs. For their salvation, for their eternal life with our Lord Jesus Christ.

Government has been the ultimate persecutor of the Church throughout history for it has the power of prison and death. They killed the prophets, John the Baptist, our Lord Jesus Christ, the Apostles, and faithful preachers throughout Church history. This does not change the mission or responsibility. Jesus told Paul he would suffer for His name. Jesus commands us, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:19-20). We are commanded. We are not promised an easy route, but our Lord will be with us.

Before our allegiance is given over to politicians, ask which ones are faithfully sharing the Word of God. Faithful Christians throughout history faced severe persecution, often leading to death. Yet they prayed for leaders. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Whomever is in leadership does not change the great commission. We are commanded to share the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Jesus said in Matthew we are never more like God than when we pray for our enemies. We share the gospel, we pray for salvation.

Always told the only 2 certainties in life are death and taxes. No. Christ triumphs, Christ will return. Christ defeated death, and Christ will return for His faithful servants. Those who lived in obedience to His Word. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind….Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:37, 39). When Jesus returns, we pray for all to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matt 25:23).

Jason Pauley