I was born and raised in west-central Georgia. That state receives about 45-50 inches of rain per year. As children we often played in the rain… dammed up the creek behind our house to catch the rain… splashed in puddles made by that rain… got wet and dirty when caught in the rain walking home from school; not once do I ever remember shouting at the rain. I guess, even as a child, I realized that shouting at the rain was a waste of time. The rain would not hear me and no matter how much I might shout, it was still going to fall.
In the past year, I have witnessed something that discourages me tremendously. I am convinced it is a diversionary tactic of the devil in order to set at naught the mission of the church and regretfully, it has worked. I have witnessed Christians, from preachers to elders, to deacons, and members, become so engrossed by politics that they have forgotten who and what they are and their purpose in this world.
They have engaged in name-calling, slander, bitterness, racism, and even hatred. “These things ought not to be so,” James 3:10.
I am a Pro-Life conservative and I often speak out against the legalized murder of the unborn, from the pulpit to social media to the voting booth… and I will continue to do so. It is a silent holocaust that has been legalized in this country since 1973. An estimated 62,000,000 abortions have taken place in the United States since Roe vs. Wade and it is, in my opinion, an unparalleled injustice perpetrated on the most innocent among us. We should and must speak out against such a hideous and wicked sin.
As Christians, we are to speak out against sin, Ephesians 5:11, but as my wife often reminds me, it’s not just WHAT we say, but HOW we say it. Ephesians 4:15 reminds us that we are to “speak the truth in love.” There will always be wickedness in this world… there will always be social injustice in this world… there will always be sin in this world... until Christ comes again.
The world the first-century church occupied was hostile and even deadly to first-century Christians. Nero mounted a brutal persecution of Christians, to say the least. Christians were thrown to lions in the coliseum to entertain the Roman masses. The gladiators honed their deadly skills against unarmed Christians before cheering crowds. Nero sewed discovered Christians up in animal skins, doused them with flammable liquids, hung them on poles in his garden, and lit them aflame to light those gardens.
Paul, (who himself later would fall victim to Nero’s hatred of Christians and himself beheaded by Nero’s command), told the church at Rome to submit to the government, Romans 13:1-7. These verses do not imply that we must always obey the civil government. Other verses show that we must obey it as long as the civil authority does not contradict God's laws.
Peter, (who also suffered martyrdom under Nero’s reign), said: “Honor the king.” I Peter 2:17.
Jesus Himself pointed out to Pilate that his position and power were ‘from above.’ "You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above." John 19:11.
Daniel, who was carried into captivity by the wicked nation of Babylon, said “He [God] changes times and seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding…” Daniel 2:21.
Why bring these things up? Because to become obsessed with politics and political parties is OFF-MISSION… It is a diversionary tactic of the devil… it is “Shouting at the rain.”
The mission of the church is the same as Christ's, to “seek and save the lost.” Luke 19:10. We have been commanded by Christ to preach and teach the Gospel to the world, Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16. Paul said, “For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” I Corinthians 2:2.
Our mission is NOT politics and political parties. Our mission is NOT protests and rallies against political opponents. Our mission is NOT to eliminate sin in the world, (Jesus will accomplish that when He comes again). OUR MISSION IS TO PREACH CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED! TO SEEK AND TO SAVE THE LOST! PERIOD!
If we would put half the time, effort, and money into the preaching of the cross that we do into promoting our political views, we would evangelize the world!
Don’t be sidetrack by the world and the things of this world. Use your vote and your voice to try to expose wrong and promote that which is right, BUT stay on point… stay on message… and that message is Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
STOP "SHOUTING AT THE RAIN!"