Settled and Firm in Christ

Our nation has become a very contentious society. If we don’t agree with a person’s point of view, that person often will simply shut them out. I once had a Facebook friend who posted on his timeline that if any of his “friends” voted for a particular statewide candidate then they could delete him right then. Even though I had not voted for that person, I deleted him as a friend, as I saw no benefit to attempt a relationship with such a closed-minded person.

During an election year, the atmosphere can be very unsettling, as all candidates strive to convince voters to cast their vote for them. Promises are made. Each side thinks their candidate is the one to lead us. Once the vote has been counted, we hope to put our differences aside and work for the betterment of our nation. This unofficial “down time” after an election can allow us to settle down to a more normal routine with no campaign rhetoric. In any election, some are bitter, others overjoyed. I like the statement someone made that said that a bird’s left wing and right wing are both part of the same bird. The same holds for our country. This article is about how we, as Christians should move forward after the election frenzy. Our faith extends beyond party loyalties. In the aftermath of an election our faith needs to take on two characteristics. We need to be Settled and we need to Stand Firm. These characteristics should be seen in our faith, in our love, and in our hope. Those who do not share our political views should not be vilified, denigrated, or dismissed.

Settled. What does it mean to be settled? Although the Merriam-Webster Dictionary gives several shades of meaning to this word, I think two of them are particularly relevant. The first is “to make quiet or orderly.” The second definition is “to close,” to bring the matter to a conclusion. We have differing worldviews and no conclusive solution is likely to be found for all issues. But we can strive to be civil to each other and live in an orderly fashion without hostility. We can respect the views of others without resorting to personal attacks. We must come together. As Jesus stated in Luke 11:17 (CEV) “A kingdom where people fight each other will end up in ruin. And a family that fights will break up.” Is that what we want?

Stand Firm. Merriam-Webster defines this idiom as refusing to change a decision or position, but that doesn’t cover it from a Biblical perspective. It sounds stubborn. As Christians we should take our faith seriously and refuse to compromise but we can be open to new revelations in Scripture. In our faith, as in our lives, we should be flexible and open to new views. I Corinthians 15:58 tells us “Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain.” While holding to what we believe, Paul is telling us to excel in the work of the Lord. I would take that a step further. As Christians, there is no secular, everything we do should be for the Lord. Our jobs, our recreation, everything we do is the work of the Lord and should be done to the best of our abilities.

Our Faith. Our faith is in Jesus Christ, and Him alone. While we may look to and admire politicians, business persons, relatives, and even ministers we must never forget where our faith ultimately resides. In Genesis 12 God made a covenant with Abram that He would make him into a great nation through which all the families of the earth will be blessed.” (v. 3) “Abram believed the Lord and the Lord was pleased with him and accepted him.” (CEV Genesis 15:6). Abraham was not perfect but he placed His faith in God. Abraham’s people, the Israelites, often struggled, but returned to God. This promise from God that all the families of the earth would be blessed through the Israelites is one of the remaining 500 or so prophecies in the Bible that have yet to be fulfilled.

Our faith is the foundation of who we are. The old hymn expresses it well “How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in His excellent word!” Regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves, we need not despair. God is in control. Adam Clayton Powell was a minister turned politician. Although he strayed from his faith and ran into some legal difficulties, he made a profound statement. “Keep the faith because God’s realities always exceed man’s fondest dreams. Keep faith in God… He’ll make a way out of no way. He’ll open doors that no one can open and shut doors that no one can shut.” God can make a way. God will make a way. On His timetable, not ours. Keep the faith.

Our Love. The Sermon on the Mount is generally regarded as one of the most famous speeches ever. This sermon contains many ethical demands. Taken as a whole, this sermon tells us much of what Jesus regarded as necessary for us to function as Christians. In Matthew 5:43-48 Jesus talked about love, casting a broad net as to whom we should love. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors, do they not do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Even the Gentiles, do they not do the same? Therefore you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

We are to pray for our enemies. Our enemies, according to the Bible, are the world, the flesh, and Satan. 2 John 2:15-17 tells us not to love the world. If we don’t follow this, the love of God is not in us. But we are told to pray for the world.

I once taught at a college that had a student-led group called “Love in Action.” While there is nothing unique about this name, it tells us about how our love works in the world. It is a love of action. We recently had a couple of hurricanes blow through my community and a friend of mine posted this on Facebook “We intentionally aren’t going anywhere, so that we can be a part of our community and the clean up efforts as this storm takes place. If you are in the Lakeland area and find yourself in need of help, please reach out.” That is love in action.

Our Hope should be in Jesus Christ alone. While humans on this earth may do some good things, people often fail. It has long been a goal of mine to end well. I have seen countless individuals who were looked up to, put on a pedestal, and fell. Some indiscretion in their lifehas brought them down. I won’t name any names but all of us can think of those who fell from man’s idolization. Man will fail. If we place our hope in a mankind we will ultimately be disappointed. I am reminded of the old hymn by William Bradbury

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

Christ is our Rock, our Refuge, our Hope. We may fail Him, but He will not fail us. He does not promise to remove all difficulties but He will see us through them. Fix our eyes and “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:14 KJV).

When we are discouraged, when we face rejection, when inexplicable events occur, where do you turn? Place your hope in Christ. Make it a priority to keep yourfocus on Him. He is our solid Rock. Men and women, including those calling themselves Christians, may fail. Christ never fails. Settle on Christ.

Photo Credit to Gerd Altmann and John Hall on Pixabay.

All scripture is the New American Standard Bible unless otherwise indicated.