Why Participate?
A reading for Thursday, November 17, 2016: Isaiah 44:1-8.
A friend recently reminded me that Jehovah's Witnesses, even though they are citizens, do not vote in the political process. There are several reasons for this, but overall it is because they believe they are not of this world and are loyal to God's Kingdom only. Only God can save and no political leader has that power, so there is no reason to participate in electing them to office.
Presbyterians and most other Christians disagree with such a conviction and even urge disciples of Jesus to a duty of voting. We participate with God's mission to create, redeem, sustain and transform the world. Our conviction to partner with God as followers of Jesus and participate in our national and local voting is as strong as the Jehovah's Witness not to.
However, we do share a common thread. We too believe that ultimately our salvation comes only from Jesus Christ, the grace of God, and the witness of the Holy Spirit. In our lesson today, Isaiah the prophet reminds the people of God that God will save them. God will not abandon them. They have nothing to fear of the future because God is with them. "For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my spirit upon your descendants, and my blessing on your offspring."
Trust in the Lord, and participate in all our political process and conversations, but trust in the Lord!
A friend recently reminded me that Jehovah's Witnesses, even though they are citizens, do not vote in the political process. There are several reasons for this, but overall it is because they believe they are not of this world and are loyal to God's Kingdom only. Only God can save and no political leader has that power, so there is no reason to participate in electing them to office.
Presbyterians and most other Christians disagree with such a conviction and even urge disciples of Jesus to a duty of voting. We participate with God's mission to create, redeem, sustain and transform the world. Our conviction to partner with God as followers of Jesus and participate in our national and local voting is as strong as the Jehovah's Witness not to.
However, we do share a common thread. We too believe that ultimately our salvation comes only from Jesus Christ, the grace of God, and the witness of the Holy Spirit. In our lesson today, Isaiah the prophet reminds the people of God that God will save them. God will not abandon them. They have nothing to fear of the future because God is with them. "For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my spirit upon your descendants, and my blessing on your offspring."
Trust in the Lord, and participate in all our political process and conversations, but trust in the Lord!
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