11/27/2016 Pastor David List Blog Post

WE HAVE ALL SEEN THE MANNER IN WHICH BOTH PARTIES CONDUCTED THEMSELVES THROUGH THIS PRE AND POST PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CYCLE. I AM SURE THE WORLD HAS WATCHED WITH BOTH AMUSEMENT AND FASCINATION AS OUR COUNTRY THAT HAS BEEN A LEADER IN THE FREE WORLD, SHOWED JUST HOW DISORDERLY WE CAN BECOME. HOWEVER, THROUGH OUR MANY DIFFERENCES OUR COUNTRY CONTINUES.

Let's be honest. There are influencers who have lots to gain by stirring the up the populace to act out and create a headline. The unraveling of the rule of law always creates opportunity for those who want to stir strife and are trying to unravel the fabric of a society. There are those that hate America and for what it stands. They were not looking for an election. They were looking for a revolution and have been determined to get it whether their candidate won or not.

 The fascinating thing about truth is that it remains true regardless of man's opinion. Spiritual truth remains regardless of the political climate or the government. Government is the organization of mankind that creates structure for the people governed. In the United States, our expectation is that the government is to serve the people by creating a secure environment within and to a degree without so that the citizens are able to live freely and engage in the lawful pursuits of business, and personal ambition endeavor. According to Scripture, the laws created by any government ultimately will determine whether that nation is worthy of God's blessings or His wrath. But if Christians think that this or any government will create a perfect moral environment with totally loyal and law abiding citizens then we misunderstand government and our responsibility. History has shown that law does not change the hearts of men; it only exposes the nature of man's heart. 

Laws create a benchmark by which we can see if man desires to live as law abiding or not. The subject of heart change falls in the domain for fundamental and spiritual change. If we want to see this or any nation change for the good, we must work on the front changing men's hearts. We must live substantive spiritual lives, not just be religious. If we are merely religious, the masses will be turned off because all we do is compare our standard to theirs. 

Believers must live out the substance of their encounter with God. instead of just talking about we must demonstrate how God had changed our  lives by acting differently and rightly when it is unexpected. God is able to reveal His character and power through us. A stable government may create an environment where it is easy to live our faith, but the spiritual truth that is the guidance for our faith is not limited to a stable government environment. Our faith is resilient and relevant even in persecution. 

 I pray that we will have the resolve to live out our faith whether our government provides us a stable environment or not. I believe that our president elect has learned the value of listening to spiritual counsel. We need to pray for good aides and influences to be around him. We need to be busy about the business of kingdom of God and see God change the hearts of men so that our nation can rightfully sing "God Bless America," and we can experience the blessings that His favor brings.

David List