Disclaimer: This article contains political commentary! I’m sometimes hesitant when speaking about what I see with my natural and spiritual eyes, not wanting to be viewed as some sort of self-proclaimed sage or yet another blowhard know-it-all; however, this concern can become a matter of pride (false humility) and a form of “anti-love” if we continually sit back in our comfortable bubble of life and quietly watch those who are perishing without Christ without saying a word or taking any action.
Those who disagree and support the current status quo will immediately speak out against biblical positions of morality (including the Ten Commandments) as being old fashioned or even HATEFUL, and will seek power for power’s sake, speaking loudly so as to “shame” and silence anyone who holds a biblical world view. I firmly believe that one cannot shame a true follower of Christ for following Christ, nor can one “threaten” a believer with heaven, as if a believer’s death would be anything less than gain!
In speaking with Pastor Dewey Moede the other day, I commented about certain political things in our beautiful state (New Mexico) and he suggested this article. Sometimes the outright evil around us and especially in our civil government needs to be brought to the fore, as we are instructed by God to love our neighbors, raise our children and provide for our families in the fear (reverence) of God.
We are failing if we simply fall in line with all that our civil governments say and do without even considering the word of God and its inherent wisdom relative to civil government’s laws, rules, regulations, proclamations and societal goals. Romans 13 and God’s ordaining of civil government notwithstanding, the laws and goals of men, absent a biblical perspective and prayerful consideration, will never supplant or supersede God’s word and His direction for proper (read: best for us) living as given by scripture, revelation and the love of Christ.
I just don’t see an Omnibus-approach to legislation as a positive trend. It’s not so much about efficiency as it is political opportunity to sometimes sneak items into legislation that would never be passed individually (or have already failed), the desire to get as many laws out the door as possible (which isn’t always the best idea), and laziness or haste, as time is always short during New Mexico’s legislative sessions because of the lack of a full-time legislature.
Although I’m a strong supporter of small/limited government, the foregoing begs the question as to whether it’s well beyond time to enforce term limits on elected officials (and especially legislators) and to turn the position of elected legislator into a full-time job. This would better allow for some non-independently wealthy individuals to serve and would, in my view, provoke more thoughtful legislation (or less of it) and bring to the fore some legislative perspectives that don’t initiate from the mind of a lawyer and perhaps, better reflecting a biblical world view.
The issue of seemingly perpetual Democratic Party dominance in New Mexico is huge, though not easily resolved – and besides, it’s not the label or even the party that really matters, it’s the positions flowing from a party which matter, as those positions eventually filter into society – including our public schools. A key question before promulgating any legislation should be asked. Are we drawing closer to God or drifting further away from God?
I am a proud independent voter, by the way. I’ve said it a thousand times, and notwithstanding those who disparage this perspective, my faith informs my politics – not the other way around. Those who choose to separate their public and private lives from their faith don’t really have faith (in God) at all, but rather, political expediency and fear of man over the fear of God! Having a state-mandated religion contrary to the US Constitution is not the same thing as having God-fearing men and women operating in our governmental agencies and bettering society.
My brothers and sisters, I simply ask that we all take the time to pray for wisdom and God’s will to be done in our own lives, and that we would intercede, in the name of Jesus, for our civil government, its leaders and elected officials – that our government’s laws and goals would reflect the love of Christ and biblical positions increasingly more than the selfish desires of men and the goals of the evil one!
Supporting scriptures:
1 John 2:16 (NKJV)
“For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.”
1 Corinthians 1:18 (NKJV)
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
1 Corinthians 3:19 (NKJV)
“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, ‘He catches the wise in their own craftiness…’”.
Philippians 1:21 (ESV)
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
Romans 13:8-10 (NKJV)
“Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, [y]ou shall not commit adultery, [y]ou shall not murder, [y]ou shall not steal, [y]ou shall not bear false witness, [y]ou shall not covet, and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, [y]ou shall love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”
Mark 12:29-32 (NLT)
Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV)
“Train up a child in the way he should go, [a]nd when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Psalm 34:8-11 (NKJV)
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; [b]lessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; [b]ut those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.”
Psalm 112:1 (NKJV)
“Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, [w]ho delights greatly in His commandments.”
Proverbs 29:25 (NKJV)
“The fear of man brings a snare, [b]ut whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.”
Praise Jesus forevermore!
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More on New Mexico: More Violence in New Mexico: 17 Gallup McDonald’s employees found hiding after gunfire, ABQ west side rattled with bullets
God’s Word is the final authority for faith and life.
as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
Way to Give’m Heaven Chuck!!!