State of the Union

Tonight, our president will address our nation on the state of the union.  Some will watch confused, unsure what the answers are to our problems, some will watch in support of their party, unconcerned about actual issues,  and some will watch nervous for our nation, knowing there are real issues that need to be solved.

Here is the truth behind the State of the Union: we live in a world plagued with sin, and not matter what happens in Washington, we will have major problems in our society.  It doesn't matter who is President and what party is in the majority, sin will continue to fracture society.  With this in mind, here are some Bibilical ways you can view the government and political issues:

1. God establishes all authority, therefore we are called to submit to government (Romans 13:1).  This does not mean that we must agree, but through our disagreements we are to submit to the ruling authority.  (sidenote: if the government ever does ask for us to do what Scripture forbids, this is when we obey Scripture and disobey government.)      

2. Support issues, not parties.  There are issues on both sides of the isle that the Bible would support, and issues on both sides of the isle that the Bible wouldn't support.  Be someone who cares about Biblical issues, not political parties.

3. Fight for what is Biblical, do not just vote for what is Biblical.  Too many Christians use their vote as their only voice.  (Don't get me wrong, we should be responsible citizens and care about who is elected and what is passed.  We should vote...but that is not our primary task.)  God does not call us to just hope things change through the government...he calls us to action.  He calls us to fight for injustices and make a difference.  No matter what the government does, there will still be world hunger, diseases, abortion, unemployment, pollution, sex trafficking, drugs, education issues, fraud, health care issues, war, corruption, crime, and so much more.  What issues do you care about?  If you care about them and they are Biblical...figure out how you can help!    

4. Know what true change is.  Too many people think that if we can just legislate certain policies, than things will be better.  As Christians we don't believe that things will change through policy changes, but heart changes (which is why laws are broken daily...because the heart is still bent towards sin).  Things will begin to change as hearts are transformed, as the gospel begins to invade hearts.  Change will happen as your fiends, neighbors, and family begin to grasp who God is and what he has called us to.  Change will happen as hearts of stone are changed to hearts of flesh (Ez 36:26).  

Pray tonight as our nation is addressed.  Pray for our leaders, that their decisions would truly impact lives for the better.  Pray for yourself, and how you can make a difference.  And pray that hearts are changed as the gospel is spread...for this is the true hope for the world!