After the Election

As I fly out of the country today and will be gone for a few weeks, I am looking back at America through the proverbial “rear view mirror.” I see that America’s slippery slide of spiritual decline has been catastrophic. The slide was not just witnessed in the results of the US elections last week, but it has been happening over the decades as we have reaped the consequences of generations of young people (including 90% of children who grew up in church homes) being secularized by schools, media, museums, etc. Sadly, part of the push down this slide of unbiblical thinking has been due to the efforts of compromising Christian leaders and Bible colleges that reject biblical authority. God is not pleased.

For example, I think of Romans 1, where we are clearly taught that increasing homosexual behavior is a sign of God’s judgment—that God “gave them up.” Today, “gay” marriage is now law in more states. The Washington Post reported the following:

Voters in Maryland narrowly upheld the state’s same-sex marriage law, a historic victory for the national gay-rights movement that highlights the country’s evolving definition of marriage … Maryland was joined by Maine in approving gay marriage, making the two states’ voters the first in the country to approve the measures by a popular vote. In Maryland, gay couples will be able to wed starting Jan. 1

In the article, there was the following quote—and note the mention of pastors:

Griffin attributed the success to a new, carefully assembled coalition that united gay-rights advocates with officials at the NAACP, with clergy, and with businesses and philanthropists who hadn’t previously contributed to the gay-rights causes. (Washington Post)

I also recall that the president, in June, issued a “Presidential Proclamation: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, 2012” (White House).

AiG, as God allows, will stand uncompromisingly on God’s Word in the midst of immorality, and we will continue to shine a bright light in an increasingly dark world. We are doing what we can to “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).

A local pastor and friend of the ministry, Jeff Davenport, of Calvary Baptist Church, wrote the following for his church’s bulletin last Sunday morning (and then he gave a message from the pulpit to let his congregation know that they should not despair as the country continues to slide, as witnessed in the election):

God has an eternal plan … that did not change this past election!

I Peter 1:18-19 says, “knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ …”

Peter is saying, “you guys were not bought back from Satan by some cheap trinket, some temporary payment … Your eternity was secured with the most precious thing of all, the very blood of Jesus Christ!

When we start to stress over the outcome of some election, or we start to rest our hope in the outcome of some election, that should scare us! This morning we will learn that “if you fear the Right Things—You’ll never Stress about the Wrong Things.”

Can a political platform derail what God has already determined He will do? No! Does that mean God will smooth everything out now …that your business won’t be affected or even fail … that we as Christians will not face increased persecution? Not at all!

We, as a country, made a conscience decision well before Election Day to turn away from God’s Word. Similarly, when Israel begged God for a King, they did so because of what they might be getting out of the deal. God gave them a king all right … for 40 years they got just what they asked for. They experienced the consequences of their request … and so will America if we continue trusting in men and walking away from God’s Word and His standards.

As a Christian in America, you might want to brace yourself or a continued assault on Christianity and even the notion of an exclusive Christ. Many believers have chosen to remain silent about their faith during these seemingly “neutral” years; now they will be increasingly challenged to serve Christ in the hostile years.

When even mild opposition is directed by the masses toward evangelical Christianity, you will have to choose to speak truth or remain silent and/or acquiesce to the culture, which is to consent.

When that happens, you in essence start to trust in perishable things such as silver or gold, or presidents, or future elections, to secure your hope. And in so doing, you have forgotten the precious and sufficient blood of Christ. God’s plan is not derailed or delayed.

I pray your faith will be encouraged today!

Only By Grace, Pastor Davenport

Yes, our culture is growing spiritually darker every day. But light shines more brightly in the darkness. I am greatly encouraged as I have met thousands of Christians throughout this nation who have not bowed the knee to Baal, so to speak. Remember what God spoke to Elijah about Baal.

“Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.” (1 Kings 19:18 )

So, let’s work together to shine the light of God’s truth into this nation!

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Join AiG to shine that light more brightly than ever!

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken