From the Pastor’s Pen – November 2008

As we approach the election which will place new people into government let us be mindful that God is sovereign. Of course, we have a responsibility to do all that we can to see that god-fearing men are elected; our work must be bathed in prayer. I encourage you to read the article Bill Lash sent out about how we should pray for this election. Solomon state: “There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, & hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, & one who sows discord among brothers.” Pro. 6:16-19 As I have watched the political ads & received many emails I cannot help but think of these verses. It is sad that we live in a day where lying is common & acceptable to so many. Many have come to the conclusion that they will do “whatever” it takes to get elected. But what is just as discouraging is that many who call themselves Christians will vote for a person or party because of the economic crisis. This reveals to us Scripture’s truthfulness about money. “The love of money is the root of all evil” as stated in I Timothy 6:10. The words that follow are very revealing, “which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith & pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” The minds of these people are so filled with worldly cares & deceitful riches that they are like Demas; they forsake God’s Word, having loved this present world. They do not realize that riches give them great trouble & uneasiness, both in getting & keeping them. Paul seem to allude to the Hebrew word ???, used for a covetous man, which signifies one that pierces, cuts & wounds. This he does both to himself & others. As Christians our mind must not be conform to thinking like this world. We must vote according to God’s Word, to do otherwise is to be hypocritical. Now there is no candidate that we will totally agree with but we must seek to make sure the candidate we vote for is not actively involved in the sins that are mentioned in the verses above. Why? Because the LORD hates these things. Of course God hates all sin so why are these particular seven stated? Solomon is referring to the second table of God’s Law. These sins are committed against other people. They are contrary to God’s nature, will, & law. There are other sins that God hates even more so; those sins against the first table, which strike at His being, honor & glory. We must make sure that we love God’s law & remember it. As stated “My son, keep thy father's commandment, & forsake not the law of thy mother”16:20. We must pray that God would be pleased to give us leaders who love His law & His way. If God does not do this, we must not give up but instead seek to train our children to be those whom God might place into leadership positions in years to come. We must do what we can do & pray that God would do that which only He can do! “O man of God, flee these things & pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentle-ness. Fight the good fight of faith…”

Pastor Thomas Winn