“Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (2 Cor. 3:17)

Man, it’s hard to get on Facebook these days with all the talk about who’s right an who’s the “devil” as we count down the days till the election.  I am amazed at how bold we get when it comes to our opinion and heart towards the arena of government, federal control and politics.  But man, what a contrast to the silence when it comes to living and being a witness for Christ!

Personally, I gain nothing from “sparing” or even engaging in a debate over who is right and wrong.  As a matter of fact, my mind gets “worked up” and causes me nothing more than trouble in my spirit.  Better put, I end up in the flesh!  Why?  For the most part we are debating with our own friends most of the time and nothing we say will change their mind or ours.  We all believe in what we are making a point about and pretty much nothing will change our minds anyway…because we believe we are right!  It’s funny, one person I know well, took a moral stand on a comment about the presidency when their life on Facebook proves they don’t care one bit about moral excellence.   I don’t say this with judgment…only to make a point…about myself!

I too have a strong tendency to require much more from others than I am willing to live out.  I don’t know who said this but it’s good, “If I can live out half of what I preach, I’d be a half lap ahead of where I am right now.”  Some call that hypocrisy…I call it humanity!  Any time we, as Believers are not walking with Christ and have the desire to know Him more…we look like hypocrites and then we start acting like them too.  Thus lies our problem in this nation…not whom is in Office but who we are as the Church, when no one else is around.  Well, actually I am seeing more and more “indulgences” from us as the church showing up on Facebook and other media…calling it “Freedom”.

“Freedom” is a word many use instead of “indulgence” because “indulgence” sounds, well…indicting.  We even call ourselves “patriotic” for what we hope will be accomplished in the White House, yet we do not vote with freedom on our heart…we want to make sure our indulgences remain intact and unharmed.  There are a few that carry the flag for a great cause, seeking to rally our nation and charge the hill for the sake of true freedom, so it’s not all bad.  But, by in large, most want their rights to remain intact and aren’t really looking for what they are asking…because they are not living it out in their own lives in the first place.

What is freedom?  It’s NOT the right to be able to do something because we want to or feel owed and especially at the cost of others AND our testimony for Christ!  It’s a privilege to be entrusted to have something in order that we might give to others.  Freedom is a gift, not a demand.  And, it is to be handled with extreme gratitude at all times and should never be confused with “rights”.  We have no rights other than what and whom we are in Christ, that’s it!  My freedom does not come from a US Constitution, it comes from being a child of God!

The verse I posted at the top?  I call this a “sifter” because it tells me where I ought to be walking and what I ought to be about as I talk, engage and listen to people.  I find no “Spirit” in most of these discussions of the Presidency.  That’s why I walk away troubled when I am done sparing with others, even Believers.  It’s really just arguing more than making a point.  I must walk where the Spirit of God walks.  I am told, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25)

What if we agree first on Christ and then build everything else on top of that?

Now, back to reaching two nations with the Gospel of Christ! 🙂

Rb