Stay In Your Lane!
Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. (Ps 127:1 NKJV)
When reading the Scripture, there is a dual danger of both "adding to" and "taking away" from the full meaning of a text. For example, take a familiar Bible phrase, "The Lord's will be done." Many read that to mean, "It doesn't matter what I do, in the end, God's will, will be done."
This is the rationale 40 million professing Christians will use to justify not participating in the upcoming election. They view politics as worldly, because Jesus said His Kingdom was not of this world. Additionally, they believe it reveals a lack of faith and trust in God. Afterall, they argue, God raises up rulers and brings others down. My vote won't change God's plans.
Isn't there a part we are supposed to play? Take for example Psalm 127. One the one hand, the Psalmist makes it clear, that in the end, our fates are in God's hand: Unless the Lord builds the house, our labor is in vain... unless the Lord watches the city, the guards do so in vain.
Yet, God's House (The Temple) didn't build itself. In fact, God chose "skillful men," full of the Spirit and wisdom to execute His plans carefully and exactly. Similarly, the city gates and walls were not protected by God alone; they were also defended by human guards who were commanded to be vigilant and diligent in their duty. Even the Temple had an entire cadre of Levites whose job was to police and protect the Temple precincts.
Is a nation different? Are there a separate set of rules when it comes to being a citizen? Should we not guard the Republic to preserve and protect the Biblical values that once informed the policies and direction of our nation. As William Lane noted, "Somebody's values are going to reign supreme," and they are not the values of those who are disengaged.
In fact, that's what has happened. Biblical values have been replaced with ungodly rulings. Over the past 65 years the Supreme Court removed prayer and the Bible from the classroom; the 10 Commandments from public buildings; and legalized abortion, homosexual marriage and transgender rights. The Church for the most part has remained silent, and our footprint in the culture has shrunk.
In an effort to avoid controversy, conflict and criticism, the Church has obeyed the managers of the culture who have commanded the church to "stay in your lane." Since when does God have "a lane." He, who declares Himself to be The Way, the Truth & the Life, doesn't have a lane, nor any lane restrictions. He is Lord or all and everything. Hasn't He called us to be salt & light in our culture; to impact the marketplace of ideas; not to hide behind Church walls.
The prophets, Jesus, John the Baptist, the Apostles we deeply engaged in every arena of their cultures. They brazenly called both kings and commoners to repentant. They weren't silent, and neither should we be.
But aren't we supposed to obey the King? Yes, but in America the citizens are King. It's We the people who make the laws, decide the fate of our nation, not kings. We have been given both the power and the responsibility through an extremely rare right : The right to Vote. Not voting is a decision to allow the ungodly to choose both our leaders, our laws and the values that will inform our government’s policies. Freedom's neglected are freedoms lost! Register and vote!