Most people would agree that the current state of our nation’s government is one of a broken system. But there’s little agreement about how to fix it. People on one side think we need to tear down the whole thing. Others say we need to get back to what they believe are the basics of our constitutional foundations.

Though there may be huge theological and political differences, there are people on both sides of the issue who sincerely believe they are right. But as Christians, is there actually a more radical plan that we should be praying for and working toward?

Today’s Readings:

Ezekiel 31 & 32
Psalm 130.1-4
Proverbs 28.28
James 1.1-27

What Should Christians Do About Our Broken System?

Ezekiel 31 & 32:

Morality, Tolerance & Equality in Our Broken System

In chapters 31 and 32, God through the prophet was speaking to Egypt, perhaps more as a warning to His people that they could no longer turn to worldly powers like them for help and protection. In chapter 31, He compared Egypt to a great tree under which many had taken refuge, but which was about to be broken and destroyed.

Egypt is also a picture of the world and its systems. As a nation, we have attempted to live under such a system. But it is increasingly broken and unsustainable.

We have tried to legislate morality, tolerance, and equality but the world’s versions of those things are not based on God’s standard. Consequently, we are expected to “tolerate” things that are contrary to biblical truth. Equality is no longer about equal opportunity to work hard and make your way in the world. It’s about taking from one and giving to another. And secular morality turns biblical morality on its ear.

Earlier in our nation’s history, though not everyone was a true believer, there was a basic understanding of morality and respect for the rule of law that came out of the Judeo-Christian worldview. But that is no longer the case.

So, no matter how much we “tinker” with our broken system, because its whole foundation is faulty, it will still be a broken system. There will never be genuine societal change without a spiritual change in the hearts of the people in our nation.

What Can We Do?

I would suggest three things:

• Live out the gospel.

As we’ve all heard many times, we are to be salt and light to our generation. Let’s not be seen as hypocrites and let’s not become prideful and self-righteous. It may be over-used but the truth is, “there but for the grace of God goes each one of us!”

• Pray.

We are called to pray for others, especially for those in authority, even if we disagree with their politics, lifestyle, or worldview (2 Tim. 2.1-5). Pray that those who are blinded by the enemy would come to their senses and open their hearts to the gospel (2 Tim. 2.22-26), that believers would be bold and wise in sharing the gospel (Eph. 6.19-20), and pray for spiritual growth for yourself and others (Eph. 6.18).

• Share the gospel.

This is essential. In the first century, without modern means of communication, a relatively small group of believers turned the known world upside down (Acts 17.6).

There are other things, like voting prayerfully and responsibly, but without transformation in the hearts of our people, there will never be a lasting “fix” for our broken system.

I don’t know what might happen in our nation if we as believers were sold out to do these things. I don’t know if our nation as a whole can be turned around. But I do know that individual lives and eternal destinies can be impacted.

In the end, our faith and trust should not be in any system or government. Instead, we’re to be faithful to carry out the great commission and live faithfully before God. And then to trust our Sovereign God with the outcome.

Today’s Other Readings:

Psalm 130.1-4:

God’s Forgiveness 

If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared (vv. 3-4).

There is forgiveness with Him! If we are His children, our sins are forgiven! He isn’t marking them; He isn’t keeping score. If He did, none of us could ever stand before Him.

Ephesians 4.32 says that we are to forgive others just as He forgives us. And 1 Corinthians 13.5 says love, “does not take into account a wrong suffered” (NASB), yet we have a sinful habit of marking the iniquities of others on our mental scorecard, in violation of His clear commands.

If you’re struggling to forgive, meditate on Ephesians 4.32 and remember that we are to be imitators of God (Eph. 5.1). We are never more like Him than when we forgive. Or as our pastor said recently, “Forgiveness is when the power of the gospel is displayed.”

Forgiveness on the Heart Level

That doesn’t mean we never hold people accountable for sinful behavior. For example, in the case of adultery, even when there is repentance and forgiveness, it takes time to regain the lost trust.

And when it comes to illegal actions like abuse or other criminal activities, forgiveness doesn’t mean the removal of all consequences (1 Pet. 2.13-14). Consequences, including capital punishment (Ex. 21.12), are necessary for a godly society. In fact, because consequences have not been carried out, in many cases, murder, crime, and all kinds of mayhem are rampant.

When a crime is not punished quickly, people feel it is safe to do wrong (Eccl. 8.11 NLT).

We do, however, need to forgive on the heart level so we don’t become bitter, angry people, more like our enemies than like Jesus. We need to pray for our enemies that they might come out of the snare of the devil and open their hearts to the gospel. And, as I said above, we need to share the gospel with those God places in our paths.

Proverbs 28.28:

Pray for Our Leaders

When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous increase.

All the more reason to pray for our President, Congress, Governors, and other leaders.

James 1.1-27:

Count It All Joy

James was the Lord’s half-brother. He first rejected Jesus as the Messiah (during Christ’s earthly ministry), but later believed and was converted. He became one of the leaders of the Jerusalem church.

The book of James is possibly one of the most practical books in the Bible. It is sometimes called the Proverbs of the New Testament. There is so much in this little epistle. Some years ago I spent 3 or 4 months teaching through it and barely scratched the surface!

Chapter one is no exception. Verses 2-4 are some of my favorites and are so rich in truth and encouragement:

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

I don’t know about you, but I rarely “feel like” counting it all joy when I encounter trouble. Yet James encourages us to do so, not because it is pleasant or because we are supposed to like hardships, but because of how God uses them in our lives. It’s through the tests and trials of life that God grows us and matures us as believers. It’s what makes us useful to the kingdom of God.

Test or Temptation

Yet, if we don’t respond and process trials biblically, the trial that is intended by God to prove and strengthen our faith can become a temptation by the enemy to sin. It’s the same trial, but our thinking and responses determine whether it will be a test or a temptation to sin.

How can we “count it all joy” and grow during severe trials like persecution and hardship? We should start by remembering that many of the epistles were written to people who were themselves persecuted, even martyred for their faith.

The events in our world today are part of the “all things” of Romans 8.28-29 that God can and will use for good. They’re intended to cause believers to grow in spiritual strength and to help unbelievers come to the end of themselves and see their desperate need for Him.

So let’s get serious about our walks with God. Let’s pray for a holy boldness to pray, speak the truth, share our testimonies and the gospel, and be the light God has called us to be!

Coming Up:

In the next few days, we’ll discuss the questions, “Is believing ‘in’ God enough?” and “Are your words blessing or cursing?” We’ll also talk about how Satan is a fisherman who studies us to know the right bait so he can reel us in, and the Bible’s admonition about bad company.

I hope you’ll sign up so you don’t miss any of them. You might also like to check out our new sister site Joyful Marriage Ministries. While you’re there, click the “events” tab for information on our upcoming events and ministries, like our Marriage ICU© for couples who are experiencing problems that require one-on-one help.

If this post spoke to you, I would so appreciate it if you would share it on your favorite social media platform.

And if you don’t already have a copy, you might want to purchase a copy of my eBook, 10 Benefits of Keeping a Spiritual Journal. It’s available on Kindle or in paperback. The paperback book has 31 days of blank journaling pages and prompts to help you get started.

Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna ♥

Note about this post:

I began blogging through the Bible in 2012 and have done so every year since then. These posts are the product of many edits and additions throughout those years. Some days I make major changes, other days fewer. 

A while ago, I read Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him about the attributes of God. One is His incomprehensibility. In it, she says, “God is incomprehensible. This does not mean that he is unknowable, but that he is unable to be fully known.”

I have found that to be true each year as I’ve gone back through the Bible. Sometimes I find myself feeling as if a passage just appeared there for the first time. I’m reminded that no matter how many times we read through the Bible, we have only scratched the surface. I hope you feel the same.

Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26.14)

I sometimes LINKUP with these blogs.