By Steven J. Hogan
~ A Saturday Morning Post #171 ~
When we look at the world, we see the sinful ways of men and governments, and oftentimes we needlessly worry or get mad. But this is the evil age – what else can we expect? Isn’t this the way it has always been? Ever since the sin of Adam and Eve, we have been living in this evil age – “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (Gal. 1:4 1, John 5:19). The Old Testament chronicles the stories of nations, peoples, and kings who were opposing God. In Genesis 6, there’s a whole world in sin; in Genesis 11, there’s the tower of Babel; in Genesis 19, there’s Sodom and Gomorrah; and there are the devilish kingdoms of Egypt, Assyria, Bablyon, etc. “The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and His Anointed, saying, ‘Let us tear their fetters apart.’” Ps. 2:1-3, Rev. 12
When Jesus was on earth, it was the Romans fighting against God and ruling over Israel. Then the church age began, and this Roman kingdom continued, and for close to 300 years, it was greatly persecuting the church. It’s now the 21st century and it’s still an evil age, and nations are still raging against God and “devising a vain thing” (Psalm 2:1). Yes, God has established the governing authority “to be a minister to you for good” (Rom. 13:4). And sometimes we see countries with fairly good governments but, more often than not, we don’t. All over the world there are sinful countries with sinful leaders and sinful laws. Bribes, lies, corruption, abuses of power, payoffs, ill-gotten gains, and cruel injustices, are commonplace. Psalm 14:1 says, “They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds. There is no one who does good.” Isaiah 5:20 talks about “those who call evil good, and good evil.” To see this happening in our own country sickens the soul – and to get righteously angry about all this sin is not wrong, but to focus on it, and feel we need to change it, is not how God wants us to think.
As Christians we can easily fret or get angry when leaders and politicians say and do wicked and unethical things. Psalm 6:3 says, “my soul is greatly dismayed.” Psalm 37:1 tells us not to “fret because of evildoers.” Psalm 55:2 says, “I am restless in my complaint and am surely distracted because of the voice of the enemy.” Psalm 73:3 says, “I was envious of the arrogant as I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” Isn’t it hard for you when it seems the wicked are getting away with their evil deeds, and are not being brought to account? But God doesn’t want you to set your mind on the things of this world, and be anxious and overly concerned about evil leaders, and their political schemes and earthly kingdoms.
Here are some truths to keep in mind as you live in this evil world, one that will get worse and worse until Jesus Christ returns to rapture the church and judge the world.
1. God is sovereign. Sinful people and rulers can only do what God allows them to do. Remember, their evil words and actions are part of His end-time plans, and will work out for the good of the church, and the glory of God. Acts 2:23-24, 4:27-28; Romans 9:17-18
2. “Do not fret because of evildoers… Cease from anger and forsake wrath… Depart from evil” (Ps. 37:1, 8, 27). It doesn’t do any good to get mad or worry and, in fact, it’s bad for you.
3. God will defeat and punish all evildoers. “Evildoers will be cut off… Yet a little while and the wicked man will be no more… The power of the wicked will be broken… He passed away and he was no more… Transgressors will be altogether destroyed.” Psalm 37:10, 15, 17, 36, 38
4. Do what God wants you to do. “Trust in the Lord and do good… Delight yourself in the Lord… Dwell in the land… Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him… All day long he is gracious and lends… The law of his God is in his heart.” Psalm 37:3, 4, 7, 26, 31
5. “Seek first His kingdom and righteousness.” We are not to worry and be troubled about matters that relate to this earthly kingdom, but we are to be excitedly and energetically building up the church, the heavenly kingdom of God. Matt. 6:33, Col. 3:1-4
6. Pray for those in authority, for the church, and for the coming kingdom: “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Be thinking about the coming millennial kingdom when Jesus Christ will rule the world with a rod of iron, and there will be perfect and immediate justice. Isaiah 6:3, Rev. 2:27
7. Remember the example of Jesus and Paul. Jesus never talked about the Roman government or the politics of the day, but only to say, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s…” (Matt. 22:21). Jesus knew that the real enemy was not the Romans but the devil. “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood… but against the spiritual forces of wickedness” (Eph. 6:12). The apostle Paul did not get involved in worldly matters, for his purpose was not to win some political debate, but to preach the gospel and win people to Christ. Acts 20:24
8. Remember the promise, that you will inherit the land (Psalm 37:9, 11, 22, 29, 34). Know that you will inherit the land, the entire earth. In the coming kingdom age, this earth will be your land and you, and all believers, will reign with Christ, and work with Him in establishing His spiritual and physical kingdom in this world. Psalms 47, 67, 72; Matt. 5:5; Rev. 5:10
Our present political climate in this country is hyper-partisan and polarized. We tend to take sides and pick the person or party we like best, but this is not what’s important. As Christians, we must view life as spiritual, and not political. Be careful about picking political sides, and remind yourself that you are on God’s side, and that people are either saved or lost. In the near future, the Antichrist will wickedly be ruling the world, and there will be great tribulation (Matt. 24:21), at which time it will be clearly obvious that there are only two sides, Christ’s and the Antichrist’s. There will be no political parties, no debates, no voting, but hopefully on our part, a zeal to obey Christ, to love the lost, preach the gospel, and make disciples of all the nations. Yes, we will be hated and, in many cases, hunted down to be killed (Matt. 24:9), but this will be our time, and it “will lead to an opportunity for your testimony” (Luke 21:12-13). Here is Jesus’ promise to us, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). Then there is the rapture, “and so we shall always be with the Lord.” 1 Thess. 4:17
P.S. “Politicians, Judges, and Jesus, Our Coming King” is a post I wrote that describes how God helped change my thinking regarding my involvement in political matters. This past Sunday my message was “Psalm 23” – when you get time, listen to it, for I believe it will greatly encourage your soul.