Yesterday we voted for new government officials. I awoke
this morning to beautiful blue sky and sun. Depending on what side of the
political chasm you stand, the sun’s rising may or may not have come as a
surprise. But sunrise stands as a reminder, God still reigns.
We can easily lose that truth. Sin blinds us, makes us doubt
God’s everlasting omnipotence. We can feel alone, on our own, needing to take
things into our own hands. If not literally into our own hands, we bestow
control on others believing they can empower us.
The overturn of Roe V Wade is an example of this. Many
Christians believed it was their duty to end an act they deemed immoral, beyond
sinful. They celebrated the Supreme Court’s ruling making abortion the arena of
each state. They have voted and supported efforts in their total bans or harsh
narrowing of state abortion law. They have, in their view, upheld God’s moral
law.
Meanwhile, women in those states have also lost medical help
during miscarriages, or any other condition requiring some medical procedure
like a D and C, which is also used in abortions. Many women have lost
supportive medical help, as clinics supporting women’s health have closed.
Decisions were made that even in cases of the woman’s life, or incest or rape,
abortion was not an option.
So on the one hand, Christians could feel they had been
God’s proxies and banished this horrific sin from their states. God’s work was
done. But, on the other hand, women all over the country are feeling
disenfranchised and blaming that on God and his followers. Though God’s moral
law may have been upheld, God’s law of love has not.
By believing that we Christians hold the moral fabric of the
universe in our hands, we have driven many away from God. We used our elected
officials to pass these laws, believing we have the godly command to do so. But
what about God?
Do we hold the moral fabric in our hands, or is that God’s
realm? Can we even begin to hold the moral fabric, being sinners? Whatever
makes us believe we can, that it’s our job?
Certainly, in America, we have a vote, and we are to vote our
conscience. But can we see clearly enough, through our own brokenness, see
God’s way? And how much of this is borne by our need to feel and be in control,
even if control is really impossible?
Peter Kreeft, in his book God’s Love, points out that God is both truth and love, all the
time in full measure. And only God can purely and wholly be both. God doesn’t
put truth before love or love before truth. So in dealing with abortion, or any
other issue of that magnitude, only God can approach us with truth and love.
Sadly, Kreeft points out, Christians tend to land on truth or love, as if they
are black and white, right and left, two sided characteristics.
With regards to abortion, we have taken the side of “truth”,
but because it wasn’t done in love, we have failed the women we claimed to
help. We believed it was our duty to help them away from abortion, whether they
wanted the help or not. God’s truth and love allows us to make our own
decisions. We also, then, are able to face our own consequences for our
choices. God doesn’t force us to choose Him. He allows us to refuse his gift of
salvation. And for those of us who have accepted his gift, He gives us the
choice to live our new life by his power or our own. It’s a daily, moment by
moment choice. If we choose his power, then we will be living lives of truth
and love. The fruit of the Spirit will reign in us. And we will realize that
without Him, we are nothing, incapable of holding our own moral core, let alone
the moral fabric of the universe. We are not God, not even his proxies.
I believe God reigns, sovereign in our universe, our
country. God is in control, not politicians or electors, not even those of us
who vote for our leaders. Our power is a mirage. God’s will is bigger than any
elected official. And each official has the same choice we all have, to allow
God’s control in their life, or live their life and do their jobs without Him. But God isn’t hindered by our puny choices.
He isn’t impressed by our egos. He seeks humble, servant hearts who realize
they are sinners saved by grace, in need of something Greater than their own
strength.
So whether I agree with the results of this recent election
or not, I will seek to live my days under God’s control and leadership, not my
own. I can hold nothing. I can control nothing, let alone the moral fabric of
the universe. But “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Through His strength and control I will seek to marry truth and love in my
life. I will seek to present God’s love to those He brings into my life, even
if we are on different sides of the chasm. Because only through God’s love and
truth will we ever be able to see the chasm shrink.
Kreeft, Peter. Knowing The Truth About God's Love, The One Thing We Can't Live Without. Chapter 10, page 193. Servant Books. 1988.
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