Our nation's financial system has stood on the edge of a great precipice, looked over the edge, and has stared at the possibility of a great fall. During these events, we have been inundated on a daily basis with this wonderful, everlasting presidential campaign. Like the song that never ends, this race goes on and on my friends. Some day very soon, we will once again know the bliss of life without campaign promises, negative advertising, and the media's love affair with Barack Obama.
One of the things that I have found most interesting in the current financial crisis has been the amazing ability of both candidates, and both parties to continually shift the blame toward one another. The truth is, there is plenty of blame to go around when it comes to the current financial meltdown on Wall Street, and in the American banking sector. The policies of Bill Clinton, Republican and Democratic lawmakers, and George W. Bush have all contributed to the current debacle. Those on the left, who claim to be so full of compassion for the poor, have pushed for mortgage bankers to give loans to people who have no ability to pay them back. If that is compassion, then we could all use a little bit less of it. Those on the right have continued to push for policies that make it easy for the greedy sharks on Wall Street to make millions and even billions of dollars in bonuses, without having to pay any taxes.
Meanwhile, the maverick John McCain, and the Messiah Barack Obama, continue to promise us the sun, the moon, and the stars. At this point in history, either candidate will face some of the most difficult challenges in the history of this great nation when they take office. Senator McCain, and Senator Obama have both articulated policies, programs, and ideas that will dig an even deeper pit for this nation to climb out of.
We need a leader at this time in our history who will be able to come before the American people and sell the idea of great national sacrifice. The government cannot spend us out of our current crisis. It is time for our president, and our representatives to call on all of us to slay that great idol of greed and materialism, and learn what it means once again to sacrifice, to live within our means, and to be better stewards of all the resources that God has given us.
The message I speak of is not popular. Most Americans do not want to hear it. We want to continue to believe that we can have whatever we want, paid for by credit cards, and Uncle Sam. Unfortunately, the bill collectors are on the phone and they are not taking no for an answer. Though some would wrongly say that, "Money is the root of all evil", I would remind you that what the Scripture actually says is, "the love of money is the root of all evil." Money is amoral, has no feelings, and is simply a tool to be used to bring honor to God. However, we have fallen in love with the greenback and have come to see it as the answer to all of our ills. How ironic then to find that the prescription that we thought would make us well is actually, like many of the drug ads on TV, so full of negative side effects that we may just die from the prescription itself.
I have already articulated in previous posts why I could never vote for Barack Obama, but I want to make it clear that I do not think that John McCain, or any other candidate from a third party, has the answers for this nation. I am convinced more than I ever have been that the hope of our nation lies not within the grassroots of some political movement, but squarely in the laps of those who would be called disciples of Jesus Christ. The church, and when I say the church, I don't mean a particular denomination or right-leaning movement, is the only true hope for this nation. The reason I say this is simply because those who have followed Jesus as he prescribed within the Scriptures have always been the greatest change agents on this planet. Shortly after Jesus of Nazareth had walked this planet, it was said of his followers, "here comes those who have turned the world upside down!"
These God-possessed, radical lovers of God and man shook up the established systems, and alternately brought the downfall of the Roman Empire. They did not accomplish this through political power, but by Holy Spirit power. I am not advocating a withdrawal from the political process, as that has been almost as disastrous as the church wielding political power. What I am advocating is re-focusing our attention on the kingdom of heaven and its influence in the earth, rather than trying to become a great political voting bloc. God's people need to return to the Gospel in its simplicity and power. We need to get on our knees and pray, and then get up and do the works of Jesus in the highways and byways. I know this sounds simplistic, but it seemed to work for the early church.
Real Christians who live out the teachings and character of Jesus Christ are downright revolutionary. If we truly took the great commission seriously and sought to make disciples like Jesus told us, we could see a nation turned in fairly short order. The radical love of Jesus Christ demonstrated in practical ways in the lives of the neediest, the "down and outers", and the "up and outers" would be too compelling to ignore. I'm sure it would produce a very similar reaction to the time of Jesus Christ and his apostles. The life-changing, life confronting message and presence of Jesus through his people would be magnetic in its attraction to many, and equally repelling to others. This would produce a clear line of distinction, and provoke people to make decisions for or against the kingdom of God. America would never be the same!
As for how to vote, I would encourage everyone to vote their conscience. If that includes a third-party candidate, go for it. Some say that is throwing away a vote. But if you feel like neither candidate is going to produce the change necessary, or is willing to tell the truth and do what's necessary to bring that change, then you're not throwing away a vote.
I will vote for a candidate who most represents the values I see in Jesus Christ and in his Bible. Because I know Jesus loves the little children, I could never vote for Barack Obama. Jesus would protect the baby in the womb, care for the poor, and call everyone to love their neighbor, do justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with their God. Neither do I believe that Jesus would require the government to meet everyone's needs. He was far more practical than that. He would not let people off the hook that easily. He required that every individual, and every family look out for the needs of their neighbor. Jesus would require people to work hard, but he would also show mercy to those who've experienced difficulty and he would provide a second chance to all who have failed.
I am just sorry that Jesus is not on the ballot and we can't vote for him.
