It’s Not a Time to Relax

Whew, that was close.

After praying fervently for weeks over the election and having special sermons at our church about the culture and political climate in America, our team won. Not that our team was perfect, but they are definitely not crazy. It’s no suprise where Harris and Walz stood on some of the most important issues of our time. Abortion on demand at all stages of development up until birth. They also refused to protect babies born alive during an abortion. Harris voted against a bill that would limit abortions to the first 20 weeks of pregnancy.

When Harris was attorney general, she refused to defend California’s law banning same-sex marriage, and believes same-sex marriage should be legal should be legal in all 50 states. They also support transgender’s in that they should have the right to use the bathroom of their choice including women’s locker-rooms, and boys playing against and dominating girls sports.

Not to mention allowing a wide open border to illegals without proper vetting, and making every other godless thing you can think of legal at the very least creates chaos and not a cohesive society. But all of it is against God, His Word, and what the founding fathers stood for in America. 

However, we should not treat this victory and the mercy God has shown us as an excuse to become complacent. Taking a moment to catch our breath is fine, but let’s use this time to regroup and refocus on our calling—evangelism and fulfilling our civic duties as Christians in this dark world. The work is far from over, and the need for light and truth has never been greater.

We as Christians might have won the war this time around, but there were many battles lost.  Where I live in Polk County, Iowa, Democrats dominated by wide margins on all fronts: federal, state, and local. In a state that was clearly more red, the county where the state capitol resides was mostly blue. Even though these results may or may not be official yet, it’s a sad reality that the Church of Jesus Christ should not take lightly. There is still so much work to be done.

Evangelize more

Right now, more than ever, we need to be sharing the gospel to those who desperately need to know Jesus and win souls for His glory. Because let’s face it: Christians don’t kill their children or marry the same sex. They understand what time it is in regards to the Bible. But one reality we must face is: in order to reach those who will turn to Christ, you have to get through a berage of those who refuse.

“Enter by the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” — Matthew 7:13-14

You must accept that most people will not want to listen. Expect most of those with whom you talk to will reject the gospel. But remember this: someone eventually will. And when that happens — it will be glorious. Trudging through the muck and mire of society to save a soul from hell is worth it.

Teach your children how to share Jesus

It’s not all about evangelizing more, but making the conversations more meaningful when sharing the gospel. This is when we share Jesus with those we care about, love, and see on a regular basis.

For the past few Friday nights I have been going downtown Court Avenue bar district sharing the gospel with a friend. I absolutely struggle getting into conversations there now. Why? Not only is it darker than it was when I started over 20 years ago, but I am the oldest person there. At 52 years old, I remind them of their father…because I’m probably older than him.

For this reason I may not be able to reach young people with the gospel. In order to do that, we need to instruct the next generation to take up the mantle and reach the lost. But if you are solely relying on the Youth Pastor to do it, you’re missing the big picture. Because as a parent or Youth Pastor, in order for them to take it seriously, YOU need to take it seriously.

It’s not for a lack of resources either. There are plenty of training information you can use at your disposal, and even free, to help equip your child or church youth to get involved. Here are a few off the top of my head:

• The Lifebook (https://www.thelifebook.com/) – Created by Gideon’s International, this is a tool to help students give the gospel to your peers in schools and how to share their faith. All the Lifebooks are provided free for Pastors and Youth Leaders to give to their teens to share the gospel. This includes training videos, legal documentation, and see what you are getting.
• Will Our Generation Speak: A Call to be Bold with the Gospel. by Grace Mally (https://tomorrowsforefathers.com/product/will-our-generation-speak-and-study-guide-package/) This amazing book and study guide will help equip you and your teen to share the gospel boldly in today’s age. Filled recounts of witnessing conversations and giving practical ideas for starting conversations with unbelievers about the Lord. It teaches you how to ask good questions and answer objections, while illustrating points with humorous cartoons and stories. Grace and her family started Tomorrow’s Forefathers, a ministry to equipping the young saints to share the gospel and build strong families through God’s Word. Check out their resources today!
• Books for youth leaders and parents to equip the young saints.
  • Already Gone. By Ken Ham & Britt Beemer – Why the church and Youth Groups are failing keeping teens connected and how to prevent it. Filled with stats and practical applications and resources to keep your children connected, motivated, and emboldened to share the gospel.
  • Why Won’t They Listen? The Power of Creation Evangelism. By Ken Ham – Shares deep insight into bringing the gospel to American culture through creation evangelism. Starting at Jesus without the basis of who God is can be disasterous. Ken Ham shares why.
  • How to Bring Your Children to Christ & Keep Them There. By Ray Comfort – Packed with great insight and practical principles to help prevent your children from falling away from the faith.

Your children not only should be equipped to share their faith, but also be able to think critically, taught debate skills, and learn how to have a meaningful conversation without getting overheated or losing their own faith. Modeling Christ-like behavior can make a powerful impact in the world around them; for example: love, grace, mercy, humility, kindness, and self-control.

Advocate for the sanctity of life and family values

The number one platform for the Democrat Party was the murder of the unborn in the womb, and outside the womb. Just imagine, killing defenseless innocent children was their top priority. Almost every single democrat political ad had something about being in favor of abortion, no matter if it was local, state, or federal level. How sick does a society have to be to make that their number one agenda?

Getting involved in pregnancy centers is a great way to show your support for mom’s who chose life and care for their child. Many can provide services like counceling and family planning for both the mother and the father, as well as use of laundry fascilities, healthcare, and free ultrasounds of the baby. They can also provide food, clothing, formula, diapers, strollers, cribs, and so much more that abortion facilities like Planned Parenthood will not provide.

Engage in civic responsibility

The phrase, “Think globally, act locally,” was commonly attributed by Rene Dubos, a French-American microbiologist, environmentallist, and author from the 1970’s. Though his idea emplasized the importance of addressing environmental issues both on a global scale through local actionable steps.

It is important that we as Americans get involved in local and state politics. This includes local board of education, as well as town hall meetings and more. Local and state government decisions directly affect your daily life. Sure, there are many things that are discussed like zoning laws, local education policies (even when you yourself do not have children), public safety concerns, and community development. Advocating for changes and being directly involved helps your town and state become a better place to live as your individual voice is heard; moreso than those at the federal level.

Engaging in civic responsibility helps educate us on how government works, and what our part in that is. This helps build stronger communitites and relationships between our neighbors and leaders. That is, when the right people are involved. Are you irritated and frustrated over the lack of Christian leaders and government officials in this arena? Maybe the Lord is calling YOU to take part.

Engage in civil discourse

Along with engaging in civic responsibility comes promoting civil discourse. Christians can set an example by promoting respectful conversations, building bridges, and discussing difficult topics across party lines. This may be difficult especially when the other side is not tolerant of your Christian values. But with that, we should learn how to answer difficult questions regarding abortion, gender transition, and more so that we can have those sensitive but tactful discussions with those we care about. The Bible makes this clear:

“But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.” – 2 Timothy 2:23-26 NKJV

Foolish and ignorant disputes are arguments that have no basis and are to argue for the sake of arguing. These types of endless disputes go nowhere. But when we engage in discussion to promote our Creator in a way that glorifies Him, and leads others to Christ, and to make the world a better place — that is worth the fight. We are to speak the truth (content) in love (emotion) always (Ephesians 4:15).

Therefore, this is no time to relax, but press forward and walk with intent and focus these next four years, because we may not get another chance. For God’s Word says:

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” – Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV

The Lord’s will is that we go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15). To make disciples of all nations in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). Let us walk in His will and in the process, make this world a better place.