No doubt in the next few weeks appeals for prayer will
increase across this nation and throughout this world for the local, state and
national elections in November. And rightly so! The extent of insults,
dehumanizing, disrespectful, erroneous and vitriolic expressions and
accusations being made by various candidates against their opponents are
indicative of ungodly spirits operating within those who espouse such rhetoric.
The greater shame comes when such behavior and verbal assaults come from
persons who claim to believe in, worship and uphold the Bible.
How true, relevant and reflective are the words of Paul in 2
Timothy 3:1-5 to the situations we face in our nation presently:
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall
come.
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous,
boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers,
incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than
lovers of God;
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:
from such turn away.”
Paul goes further in verses 8-9 to affirm the consequences
of such behavior:
“…so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds,
reprobate concerning the faith.
But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be
manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.”
Characteristic of far too many persons seeking to become
leaders of this “nation under God,” their verbal and personal expressions and
behavior depict that which is expressed in these verses of scripture.
So, how does the believer in and follower of God’s word deal
with such persons and their actions, verbiage and behavior? Paul clearly
admonishes “from such turn away”!
But simply rebuking and “turning away from” such persons
will not cease their ungodly behavior. Neither will simply “voting them out of
office” or “voting against them” will not change their behavior! Their
presence, verbiage and behavior will not be stopped simply by these methods.
Paul affirms in 2 Timothy 3:13-15:
“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse,
deceiving, and being deceived.”
But! The believers in God are not to be deterred from their
faith and determination to promote a “nation under God” because of ungodly
persons!
Paul admonishes and encourages all godly believers in verses
14-17 to:
“… continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and
hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures,
which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in
Christ Jesus.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished
unto all good works.”
Now, in addition to the believer in God following Paul’s
admonitions in these verses, Paul also encourages the believer in God to do
something that can change the ungodly behavior of those ungodly persons –
including leaders.
In 1 Timothy 2:1-4, Paul reminds and affirms to the believers
in God of his plan to change the ungodly behavior of those persons who seek to
assert themselves upon others. The solution is for believers in God to
prayerfully appeal to God to convert, to transform the spiritual nature of all
persons in leadership capacities to establish laws and leadership that assures
those whom they lead to be able to “lead quiet and peaceable lives in all
godliness!”
In other words, believers need to pray for the spiritual conversion
of those who exercise leadership over them. When those “leaders’” hearts and
minds are “converted” to the word, will, and ways of God, then they will “lead”
in manners pleasing unto God and edifying and enriching unto those whom they
lead.
In the midst of these “perilous times” in which we live,
this “nation under God,” which was founded on the premise of religious freedom,
yet religiously promoted ungodly and inhumane treatment to her citizenry of
various ethnic, cultural, economic, political and religious differences, must
experience a spiritual transformation unto God! And that spiritual transformation
unto God must begin with and include every soul who seeks to exercise
leadership over God’s people!
An unsaved person, nor an ungodly leader, cannot affect a spiritual
transformation of a nation without having experienced a spiritual transformation
within himself or herself!
How can any nation become “great” at all, let alone “again,”
without having undergone a spiritual transformation within itself? How can this
be a “nation under God” when its leaders are not living and operating according
to the word, will and way of God?
Yes Paul, “perilous times” have come and it is time for
America to undergo a spiritual transformation! The “handwriting” is on the wall!
Pastor Samuel W. Hale, Jr. is the former pastor of Zion
Missionary Baptist Church and president of J.L. Powell Mission Ministries.
