American Church: Find Your Voice
Today’s post is a little strong. The following few paragraphs contain an overview of God’s plan for humankind and the earth. It also includes satan’s plan and attempts to thwart God’s intentions. It ends, however, with a challenge to the American church. Where most of you are concerned, I’m preaching to the choir. But you can help me pray, and you can help circulate the post.
God and Government
The concept of government is first introduced to us in Genesis 1:26-28, when Yahweh assigned the responsibility of governing the earth and all it contains to Adam - humankind. Yahweh’s Kingdom (which means “the domain of a King”) includes all creation, everywhere - heaven, the heavens, earth, and hell. He rules over all. He assigned the governing of this colony of His Kingdom, the earth, to us humans.
Government/authority flows from God - from His nature, the essence of who He is. He IS the King, the Lawgiver, and Judge (Isaiah 33:22). And His laws, precepts, guidelines, etc, are based on love and truth, righteousness and justice (the foundations of His throne - Psalm 89:14). Truth is not something God has to think about or consider; He IS truth (Isaiah 65:16; John 14:6). He doesn’t try to love; He IS love (1 John 4:16). He governs from who He is!
He Releases His Will Through Family and Delegated Government
The authority to govern/rule Earth was delegated by Him. The story of the Bible is that: 1) God added a family to His Kingdom, created an amazing home for them - earth - and 2) delegated His rule/government of this home to His family. This government/authority was to be exercised according to His nature, ways, will, and truth - at every level: personal, home, family, cities, and nations. God’s design is that ALL government be a conduit of His truth, righteousness, ways, will, and love.
We know this plan was interrupted at the Fall. Satan stole God’s family temporarily, and with it came the dominion/rule of their home. The story of Scripture then became how God would redeem and restore these two things. The war on earth is over family and government: who will own the people, and who will rule the earth?
Jesus, of course, was God’s answer. He made it possible for all people to become part of God’s family again and recovered Adam’s/our lost authority for us. But satan is a thief and usurper. He still attempts to rule people and places, using humankind’s ignorance, sin, and rejection of Christ. Believing and receiving the gospel removes us from satan’s authority and back into God’s family. The understanding of and exercising Christ’s authority/government in our lives enforces our freedom from satan’s authority.
As Christ’s family, and having been delegated His authority, we are also called and privileged to extend His redemption and freedom to others. We do so, not by demanding or dictating, but by proclaiming His gospel, declaring His truth, and binding satanic/demonic schemes, plans, and actions. As the power of Holy Spirit is released from us, it opens people’s eyes to the gospel and God’s truth, allowing them to believe in Christ. This allows even their land, possessions, livelihoods, cities, and nations to also be freed from satan’s government/authority/rule (see Deuteronomy 28).
The Scriptures Are All about Government
As one of the two primary issues on earth, it is logical that “government” would be one of Scripture’s dominant themes. It is mentioned extensively throughout the Bible. Earthly “kingdoms” are spoken of 36 times, and earthly “kings” are spoken of 108 times. “Rule” or “ruler” is mentioned 155 times, God is mentioned as “Lord” thousands of times, and His “kingdom” more than 80 times. There are other governmental terms we could list, such as dominion, authority, govern, leader, etc., which are used dozens of times. Suffice it to say, God is government, the source of government, and releases His will and ways through delegated governing authority - at every level.
The Church Ignores It
AND YET…many in the church think government is to be ignored. “Get people saved,” they say, “but issues of government don’t belong in the church. Well, we should pray for it [which most don’t], but don’t talk about it, make a stand regarding it, or try to influence it.” Getting a church to take time in a service for more than a perfunctory prayer or mention of government, elections, laws, etc., is like trying to raise the dead. Getting pastors to make a public stand on BIBLICAL issues being decided on by the government, such as life, marriage, gender, sexual sin, and more, is even harder. The church doesn’t acknowledge the overwhelming amount of Scripture involving government, preferring to ignore it. And it conveniently hides behind manmade laws.
Many pastors actually disagree with portions of God’s Word; others are ashamed or embarrassed by parts of it, and still, others are simply ruled by the fear of man. Therefore, most believers are ignorant of God’s word. Pastors need not be mean-spirited or condemning to preach and teach truth regarding these and other issues. It can and should be done with grace, mercy, and love. But truth must be taught; it is God’s Word.
America In Crisis
As a result of not doing so, America hangs in the balance of life or death. In a recent Fox News interview, (1) Newt Gingrich issued a wake-up call. Referencing the meetings this week between Putin and Xi - while the Biden administration, which he compared to a “situation comedy,” ignores them and downplays any significance - Gingrich said that in his opinion, “This is the most dangerous time in our history since Washington crossed the Delaware Christmas night in 1776…This is not a game. The threat to our civilization is so great that we really need a dramatic change.”
Mr. Gingrich also said, “Xi gave four different speeches to his people last week on preparing for war. People should take him seriously and understand how determined, how aggressive, and how competent Xi is.” He compared Xi and Putin to “the Axis powers of Italy, Germany, and Japan in the 1930s that wanted to take on Democracies. Unlike in the 30s, we have a President that is dedicated to weakness, dedicated to confusion…America is in an enormous crisis, with a news media that doesn’t want to cover the truth. This is the moment when America truly is what Mao called America “a paper tiger.” It’s a very sobering and very frightening moment in American history.”
The church might want to find her voice.
I’ve said before that regardless of the overall church’s abdication, God will save America through a remnant. I truly believe this. But I also believe this could have occurred much more quickly - and still could be sped up - had a larger percentage of the church been praying and taking action. And the pain we are experiencing, and will for two more years, could be substantially less. To those of you who are praying - thank you! Please persevere.
Pray with me:
Father, in Christ’s name, on behalf of the church of America, we ask You to forgive us for not representing You and Your ways as we should. We have been complacent, willfully ignorant, and fearful of speaking out against the promotion of sin and evil. But an awakening is occurring; please breathe on this and cause it to increase. Awaken the church to the fact that we are Your voice, the speakers of Your Word and truth, on the earth. Revive this truth in us.
Send Your fire to the pulpits of America again. We preachers in America repent for watering down Your truth. We repent for ignoring portions of Your Word and operating under the fear of man. We should have hearts like Joshua, Caleb, Paul, Finney, Wesley, Whitfield, and other warriors from the past. Again we pray, send Your fire!
And Father, as the dragon and bear align, led by principalities and world rulers of darkness, thwart their evil plans to rule the world. We must reap a great harvest for You. You told me You HAD to have America in order to reap this harvest. You said we could close the doors to these forces, not with our hands/works, but with our words. So, in the name of Jesus, we call America back to You. We release Your Kingdom authority to bind these evil plans and release the power of Holy Spirit to oppose them. We release Your will for revival and awakening. We call forth Your fire. All that You have promised, we will see and experience.
Our decree:
We decree that lethargy and complacency in the church are being broken and replaced with revival fire!
Click on the link below to watch the full video.
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Found on Fox News’ Hannity Show, March 20, 2023.