“To the weak, I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessing.” (1 Corinthians 9:22-23 NIV) What a great statement by Paul! He was able to do it! To identify with individuals who are sinning against God and not get involved in their lifestyle is quite an accomplishment.
For example, I’ve known newly converted alcoholics who wanted to go back to their favorite bar to “witness” to their old friends and never made it out to sobriety again.
This current political campaign with so many candidates reminds me of some Christians who entered politics to “make a difference” but the taste of power was more than they could handle and they became entangled in hurtful things.
We are not called to be isolationist. Nor can we spend our time exclusively with Christians or we will not fulfill our salt and light destiny. How can we effectively walk with our feet firmly planted on the earth and our heads in the clouds? How can we walk daily with one foot on the earth and one foot in Heaven?
The worldly system needs our influence and input because the spiritual focus we can give will keep the government treating all equally and fairly. While doing this we are told to keep ourselves “unspotted from the world.” (James 1:27) We can “put on the full armor of God so that we can stand against the Devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 5:11)
Matthew 16:18 is clear that the church is on offense, while not acting offensively, to be a change agent in the world and the “gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
If we are going to make an impact this coming year it will not be as Democrats, Republicans, or Independents but as children of God on mission in the world.
“Help us, O God, to be in the world but not of the world. Keep us pure,
O Lord, even while we deal with impure things. Amen”
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