Your Voice & Your Vote Can Change the Culture

“Courage is the great need of our time, Lord.” Grant us courage to be in this world, but NOT of it.

How we would live if we knew the Lord were coming soon? If we KNEW the Lord were coming soon… Would that change where we spent our time, our talents, and our resources? Would it change how we used our voice on social media? Would it change the conversations we have with a friend, a neighbor, a stranger we meet at the store…?

Would it change our political mindset?

If we knew the Lord were coming soon, would the prayer of “bring Your Kingdom to earth as it is in heaven” create ripples in our thinking and in our speaking? Would it frame what we “value” in this world?

When we are reminded that this world is temporary, that our citizenship lies elsewhere (Phil 3:20)—and that our call and our citizenship lies first and foremost in the heavenly realms—would it cause us to live in contrast to the prominent, acceptable, “tolerant” voices in the public square? And even in contrast to those strong, vocal Christian leaders who have “crossed the aisle,” suggesting that our faith and our worldview should align with something other than the Word and our defining Christian principles?

Now that the worst is over, we’re pleased we can report that we’ve come out of this with conscience and faith intact, and can face the world—and even more importantly, face you with our heads held high. But it wasn’t by any fancy footwork on our part. It was God who kept us focused on him, uncompromised. Don’t try to read between the lines or look for hidden meanings in this letter. We’re writing plain, unembellished truth, hoping that you’ll now see the whole picture as well as you’ve seen some of the details. We want you to be as proud of us as we are of you when we stand together before our Master Jesus. (2 Cor 1:12-14 MSG)

So far as I am able, with the Holy Spirit as my constant companion, I want to live uncompromised to my faith, allowing the Holy Spirit to lead me into all Truth (Jn 16:13) and allowing the Word to “expose and judge the very thought and intentions of (my) heart” (Heb 4:12).

“Dual citizenship” is a lie—we cannot be fully of this world AND fully of the Kingdom!

Do not love the world [of sin that opposes God and His precepts], nor the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. or all that is in the world—the lust and sensual craving of the flesh and the lust and longing of the eyes and the boastful pride of life [pretentious confidence in one’s resources or in the stability of earthly things]—these do not come from the Father, but are from the world. The world is passing away, and with it its lusts [the shameful pursuits and ungodly longings]; but the one who does the will of God and carries out His purposes lives forever. (1 Jn 2:15-17 AMP)

There is no duality when it comes to faith. We are either for or against Him—we cannot serve two masters (Mt 12:30). We are either “new in Christ” or defined by the flesh (Gal 2:20). As we choose to be the light of a city on a hill (Mt 5:14), we also refuse to be stained and corrupted by the world and its values (Jas 1:27). We choose to be marked by Jesus Christ!

Our influence should be every place we step—the ground should “reverberate” because we have carried HIM onto the scene! Our culture should be defined by our presence in this world. Or at least, we shouldn’t shirk from our responsibility to carry Him boldly and confidently as our Lord and our Savior—as the One who gives our lives purpose, value, and meaning. And in turn, His voice, His values— will be heard and recognized in the public square.

Jesus knew exactly what He was saying when He said “On this rock build my ekklesia” because Jesus never wanted compartmentalized Christianity. He wanted comprehensive Christianity where we’re going to be in politics, we’re going to be in the arts, we’re going to be in science, we’re going to be in government, we’re going to be in the streets, we’re going to be in schools…”—Charlie Kirk, “The Non-Essential Event Live”, 10/18/20

How then shall we live? For we are not guaranteed tomorrow. Tomorrow has enough worry of its own… But I believe we have a decision in how to handle the last days before the election. We can hide in our homes with our curtains drawn, or we can step out and bravely engage with our culture, our neighbors, our friends, and even our family.

Whose name in the name above every other name? It’s Jesus! Don’t lose sight of this—for it is from our humble position as believers kneeling before His throne that we choose to move forward—talk, encourage, speak Truth, and VOTE!

Pray:

Courage is the great need of our time, Lord. It is ultimately not just knowing what is right… It’s not that we don’t know what is true. But we have to get behind it and run with it. And we ask that You let us run with Your wings, so help us to do our best. But then we turn over the rest to You, knowing in the end You’re going to be the victor, You’re going to carry the day, and You’re going to help save us and You’re going to help save our land. In Your name we pray, Amen.—Dinesh D’Souza, “The Non-Essential Event Live”, 10/18/20

Article originally published at IFApray.org 10/24/20 as “Christian: Your Voice and Vote Can Change the Culture”