When I was writing the blog for the Leaven of Herod, I knew then that I was just scratching the service of one of the biggest problems that face the Church today. Worldliness; it is the quality or condition of being worldly. A worldly Christian would be one who is more concerned with the affairs and pleasures of this world than the affairs of the Kingdom of God. The affairs of this world would include the current political atmosphere in America today. Are you more concerned about the current course of this nation than of the current condition of the Kingdom?  It is so easy to get caught up in all of the facts, worries, and concern that many Christian commentators have in regard to this current administration. Whatever side you find yourself in this debate, which has been reaching a crescendo that has not let up since the inauguration. It is like a whirlpool that wants to suck you down into an endless pit of time consuming apprehension.

Before the election of last November I had been caught up in all the alarm over the positions that President Obama had run on in regard to abortion, DOMA, Israel, finances….etc.  I like many American Christians had committed themselves to pray for these elections. In all my life, I had not seen that many prayer gatherings, and people praying for an election ever before. It was really quite an awesome sight. I was certain of what I thought would be the outcome, God’s perfect choice as President. As with all elections I believe with all my heart that God removes kings and raises up kings (Dan. 2:21; 4:17); so the end result is always God’s will.

That honestly was hard for me to take at the moment. But as time has come and gone I have begun to understand the Hand of Lord in regard to this matter.  It has awakened in me a desire to have this nation’ eyes open to the importance of the Lord in their lives. As I have prayed for that to happen the Lord began to deal with some things in my own life.

Don’t you love the way the Lord always does that?? He always goes after the beam in your eye so you don’t kill somebody by trying to take the speck out of theirs.

I can still hear myself screaming inside my head, You mean you want this socialist, pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage, man and government to ruin this nation? I couldn’t believe that this was God’s will for the America I so love. How could it be???

Da 4:17 ‘This decision [is] by the decree of the watchers, And the sentence by the word of the holy ones, In order that the living may know That the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, Gives it to whomever He will, And sets over it the lowest of men.

Well I began to read Rom 13:1-7 and I was instantly convicted. I know that when Paul wrote that epistle from Corinth to the mission of believers in Rome, Nero was Caesar over the empire for four years. This is the same Nero who murdered his way to the imperial throne, and whose life was described as full of debauchery and violence (he effectively had his own mother killed), and excessive extravagance. With that in mind read this passage of Scripture?

 Rom.13:¹Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. ²Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. ³For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. ⁴For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. ⁵Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. ⁶This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. ⁷Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

As I struggle to apply this to the current situations that are taking place in our nation, my mind begins to race, even now. Why?  All I can tell is that I had become too concerned about the affairs of this world rather than the spreading of the Good News of the Gospel. Not that being aware of the current affairs is wrong.  It only becomes wrong when that becomes the predominate focus of my life. I had to repent and regroup. That means I needed to change what I was focusing on. If the early church had to live under the tyranny of Nero, then I could certainly live in our current conditions, which are far better.

Have a Great Day!!!