In certain circles within the Church, it is unpopular to preach about nations being transformed. Perhaps the noisy, hyper-politicized expressions of faith being expressed each day on our TVs, smartphones, and in personal conversations have caused some to adopt that opinion thinking the Gospel is best served by limiting it to a personal and private experience. That understanding might make sense, except for the fact that Scripture gets in the way of fully adopting that limited understanding.
When Paul offered his eloquent testimony before the high council in the city of Athens, he spoke the following words:
“From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries. His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us” (Acts 17:26-27).
The words “His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him” caught my attention. How we speak, act, and now in this election cycle, how we vote, should have one purpose in mind – to help nations find their way to God.
We should ask ourselves a couple of questions. Are my words and actions helping to clear away the obstacles that would get in the way of our nation moving toward the Lord? Are my words and actions actually part of the problem? Our life of faith has been designed by God to be used as a redemptive tool in the transformation of nations. When our faith moves into the open space of cultural dialogue and creates sound and action expect it to be challenged. How we respond in those moments is everything.
God has a purpose for each nation. While speaking to the high council in Athens, Paul said the Lord created the nations and before they existed, he decided when they would rise or fall. That truth was in place when our Founding Fathers crafted the text of our Constitution and Bill of Rights. The Lord had already decided when we would rise and fall as a nation.
We serve an eternal God. Our primary service is not to a nation that will eventually fall or to a list of pet theologies that are muddled by human opinion. In all things, how we serve and honor a nation or we deliver our opinions, must be in submission to the will of God. If that order is confused, we will open the door to forms of deception that appear noble and right, but in the end, will stumble the ability of people to believe in the God we serve. If we can remain focused on the Lord and keep our heads while so many are losing theirs, we will become a transforming voice in a nation that is experiencing disarray and decay. That stability will sound like Paul’s voice that day in Athens when he spoke before the high council. The courage to speak the truth in love will help lead individuals, and nations, to the only One who can satisfy their deepest needs and calm their greatest fears.
Until we have “made disciples of all NATIONS,” Jesus has not fulfilled his covenantal commitment to His Father. Until every enemy is placed at Jesus’ footstool, Father has not fulfilled his covenantal commitment to His Son. Until there is a spotless bride prepared for Jesus, Holy Spirit has not fulfilled his covenantal commitment to Father and Son.
We’ve been given authority (Mt 28 and Eph 6 and Mt 16) and His presence – let’s get off the couch and get busy!