Shots Fired!!!
A Christian's Response To Recent Events...
The world we are currently living in is the most violent, corrupt and wicked in all of human history (save perhaps pre-flood society). And no, that is not a gross exaggeration based on copious amounts of ‘fake news’. Rather, it is a coherent reflection of what scripture has already said will happen in these times, as well as, being the product of logical conclusions taken from observing global events unfolding all around us.
The discussion we are about to undertake, I bring to you as an outside observer of the US. I live in Australia, however I was born in the USA, my father’s family is from the USA (as is my wife’s family). It is part of my heritage, one that I value.
That said, my allegiance is not to a flag, nor a nation (be it Australia or the USA - both of which whom family members have fought to protect) - but rather my allegiance is to the Kingdom of God, and Jesus who is the ‘King of Kings’. I come to this discussion as a student of history, and of one who since my teens (35+ years now) has studied world events in the light of biblical teachings.
I am neither a Trump supporter, nor a Trump detractor - nor am I a Republican or Democrat. Rather, I come from a place of balanced conviction within the realm of politics where we need to vote for our local officials who hold and represent biblical values rather than the popularise views of the day. We have our own plethora of issues within the Australian political system that probably would give an American a migraine. So, this gives me some semblance of impartiality in this discussion.
Yet, there is distinctly biblical and Christian perspectives to take with the recent assignation attempt of ex-president Trump, and the murder of the innocent man in the crowd.
In his second letter to his protege, the young pastor Timothy, Paul writes of a time that was to come…he firmly told Timothy:
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
2 Timothy 3:1-5These words of the Apostle Paul should resound loudly with us today. Every day se see all of these things playing out in the homes, schools, businesses, government, societies and nations all around the world.
Within the 10 Commandments there is a clear legally binding instruction from God (Yahweh) found in Exodus 20:13, which states “You shall not murder.” As an act, murder is one of the Lord’s more detested acts. From the beginning and Cain’s murder of Abel God has spoken against it, mainly because it comes from a place of anger, hatred and the willingness to end someone’s life because of those feelings. All of which are grounded in the spiritual and psychological conditions of people espoused in Paul’s critique of humanity in the time to come (which is now).
The attempted assassination of ex-president Trump a few days ago, and the murder of an innocent person attending the rally is an anathema to God. not because of the fact that Trump was the target, but because HE reviles the shedding of innocent blood. The events that unfolded on that day are a clear reflection of what the Apostle Paul was telling Timothy. The spiritual and psychological condition of many in this world will lead them (and others) to destruction due to the violence that they want to inflict on others. It is there own self-centredness and their own disobedience to the Word of God, and their own decision to deny that Jesus is the Son of God, and the Messiah.
At heart, this situation is not a political issue but rather a spiritual one. I say this because anything that is labelled as ‘far’ in the political realm is not going to reflect godly, biblical standards of morality and ethical behaviour. The ‘far-left’ and the ‘far-right’ are two sides of the same coin. Both come from a historical background (communism and fascism) that grew out of the ‘Enlightenment’ in Europe around the 1700-1800’s. Both hold their core values tightly and rigidly - enforcing them on the wider populace through fear and violence. Those that support the ‘far-left’ are doing so in the spirit of what Paul described in his letter to Timothy. And it is because of those reasons that violence marks much of what they do.
Personally, I do not believe that Trump is as ‘far-right’ as the mainstream media portrays him to be, nor do I think the vast majority of his political supporters are ‘far-right’ in their political views (a smaller minority may be). I believe that he honestly wants to guide America back to being a nation of physical, economic and social prosperity, and to return it to being the world superpower it has been since WW2. The vast majority of his supporters want the same thing - despite any cultural or ethnic differences they may have.
However, there are several significant problems with many people placing their hopes in Trump to guide America back to that place of prosperity and power, these include (but aren’t really limited to) the following:
Trump, even if he becomes president again can only run for one more term. That means there may (and I do mean may) be some semblance of stability within the US for those four years. And he may (and again I do mean may) bring about economic reform to the nation for a period of time. However, after those four years are done - well that’s when I would buckle up and be prepared for what is to come as a nation.
Trump is not God, nor is he a saviour figure. He is just a man, who will be used by God to bring our HIS will for humanity - for a short period of time. Nothing more, nothing less.
In fact, the Bible clearly warns us of putting our trust in kings, princes or other political leaders.
Psalm 146:3-4 warns us “Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing.” Psalm 20:7 adds “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”
The days of old will not return. The former glory of nations is being spent and spilt on the streets of cities each and every day as the moral degeneration of our nations erodes their very foundations. No one person (political or otherwise) can fix that - only the return of Christ Jesus as the King of Kings, as the Lord of this world - can this mess be fixed.
So, given these things we can legitimately ask ourselves - What are we to do in these troubling times then???
The answer to this question can be found in 1 Peter 3:15-16 which says…
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”
Our duty is to love others, stand firm against evil and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who do not believe. Our role as Christians is not to be caught up in all the political vitriol, but rather we should be the very ambassadors to a better, more perfect kingdom as we are called to be. However, that does not mean we sit placidly and idly by and watch our nations fall to ruin. Rather, we are called to stand firm against the forces of darkness that are plaguing our lands - and at times that means making political decision of who we vote for, and speaking up in public against the filth that is being promoted within our nations.
The Apostle Paul writes to the church in Ephesus (which was controlled by the Romans and full of ungodly cultural and political viewpoints - sounds familiar right?) - he encouraged them to “Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:11-12).
And for those who choose violence as a means to expedite political and/or cultural world-views, Jesus has something to say to you - “But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.” (Matthew 26:52). To those who seek to do violence against the innocent - beware of what you will reap when the ‘Day of the Lord’ comes…choose life, choose Jesus, or you shall be wiped out.
I close in this final series of thoughts.
My heart aches for the US (and for many nations around the world - including Australia), for I see the necessary slide into ruin that must come before Jesus returns. These recent events are just that, events - they are not the end, nor are they insignificant. They are part of a rise of the darkness that will claim the Earth for a time. We are called to be light within that darkness, no matter how difficult these times may get - no matter how small and insignificant our light seems to be to us. We need to pray for strength (physical, emotional and spiritual strength alike), we need to pray for personal peace, we need to pray for God to open doors to us to speak to those around us about HIS salvation. We need to pray for our political leaders (like Trump), whether we voted for them or not. And we need to pray for wisdom in how to act within such difficult times.
My deepest, heartfelt desire is to see the witness of true, Bible-believing Christians to shine brightly in the midst of these times by acting in a way that is worthy of being called a follower of Jesus Christ, and not to be caught up in the plethora of political spin doctoring and conspiracy theories. The only truth worth believing is that which has been given to us by God himself - anything else is but a shadow of the truth, and we should not follow it headlong into the destruction that is coming. We need to take our stand against the evil of this world, but we need do it God’s way, not ours.
What is to come? We do not know - only God knows. We are here in this place and time in human history because God wants us here. So we need to draw close to HIM, and be firm in our stance against evil.
I pray that in these times you find your courage, your strength and your peace though Jesus Christ our Lord and saviour.