A Web of Confusion

We are three weeks from electing a new president. I will be so grateful (if the Lord wills it) to wake up on Wednesday morning, November 9th knowing God is still on the throne. He will be on the throne regardless the outcome of our national election. While many will be shocked and dismayed by the outcome, whatever it is, God will not be among them.

Last week I caught myself entangled in a web of confusion weaved by my own emotions. I’ve allowed the cacophony of opinions to flood my soul and spirit to the point I felt I was drowning. Thankfully, God has provided my church with a pastor who is one of the wisest men I know. He wonderfully has summed up how every conversation should begin: “Meet me at the cross.”

For me to have a coherent conversation with someone, the Bible must be my foundation. It has to be my starting point. Now this does not mean that fellow believers are always going to agree with my conclusion, but we should all begin with God’s Word. This may not be possible with your nonbelieving friends, and even if they agree they may not understand:

“But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14)

My heart has been grieved by much of what has been said and written by people I admire, on both sides of the argument. The majority of the disagreement has been over Donald Trump; some Christians support him and some do not. Either way, many of the words that have been spoken or written are going to have to either be taken back or followed through.

I have seen lists from many people I admire who say when this election is over, then they will go after those on their lists to ensure they are forced out of the arena of ideas and influence. There are times when a culling of influences is needed; we need to take stock of whom we allow into our lives.

However, I don’t get that sense from many of these list owners. Whether it be on social media or in blog posts, their words drip with bitterness, ridicule, and revenge.

That is never a good thing:

“Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.” (Romans 12:17-19)

Many believe that Donald Trump is dividing the church, sent by Satan himself to destroy the brethren. First of all, that’s a ridiculously assumptive thing to say, nevertheless, if it was true, why would you take part in it? If it is possible, can you not live peaceably with all men? Do the words you use display any sense of love, peace, or understanding?

Early on in the election cycle I was guilty of giving into such emotions, and as I wrote earlier I am still susceptible to my own flood of emotions. Beloved, the church is going to need to be united regardless the outcome of the election. The chasms created by both sides of Trump Divide are going to need grace dispensers and mercy givers.

Prior to the passage in Romans 12, the Apostle Paul wrote these words:

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.” (Romans 12:15-16)

My fear is not who will be our next president. My fear is what will the church become beginning on November 9, 2016. Will there be reconciliation among the political combatants within the body of Christ, or will we complete the dismemberment by tearing apart whatever is left?

The answer to that question is literally up to us…

In Christ
Dave
Ps. 37:4

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    Copyright © 2016 David Jeffers

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