Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- November 5, 2012
“Then the commander said, ‘I had to pay a big price for my citizenship.’ ‘But I was born a citizen,’ Paul replied. Those who were about to question him withdrew immediately. The commander himself was alarmed when he realized that he had put Paul, a Roman citizen, in chains” (Acts 22:28–29).
Citizenship in a free country means something, especially for Christian citizens. Citizens who are followers of Christ have a platform to live out the teachings of Jesus. A responsible Christian citizen models his Biblical values and principles modestly. Beliefs lived out are truly beliefs, while those unapplied are not real beliefs.
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22–24).
This applies to our political beliefs as Christian citizens. We can endorse an independent political party, but we are not autonomous from the Almighty’s influence. Paul was persecuted for his faith, but he still spoke the truth with humble boldness. If we say we believe in the sanctity of life, then we elect congressmen or women who do the same.
If we say we believe in a government that spends less and balances a budget, then we elect leaders who will make hard choices and implement fiscally conservative changes. If we say we believe in free enterprise, then we elect statesmen and women who support the system, even if it requires businesses to fail. Responsible Christian citizens care more.
Because our citizenship is in heaven, we always keep an eye on eternity’s expectations while we deal with earthly issues. It is not creating an entitlement-motivated government that becomes the savior of the masses. On the contrary, it is a political system that ensures the freedoms and liberties of its citizens are not threatened and removed. A diverse people can only be truly unified around common values and principles espoused by God.
“For through him [Jesus] we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:18–20).
Prayer: Am I a responsible Christian citizen who expresses my convictions at the voting booth?
Related Readings: Ecclesiastes 9:14–16; Acts 23:1–11; Ephesians 2:11–13; Titus 3:1
Post/Tweet this today: A diverse people can only be truly unified around common values and principles espoused by God. #diversity
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For shame—endorsing a particular candidate as if that is the only way to express your Christian faith!!! We are not only allowed, but encouraged to be individual in our Christianity. The only thing that is mandatory is faith that Jesus was born, died and will come again–and those things in the Apostles Creed. Your statements are so transparent as to be poor writing on top of that.
My faith is the bedrock of my life, my relationship with Christ my purpose. I do believe in the sanctity of life–and that is expressed as being pro-choice, pro-euthanasia, and pro-capital punishment. I believe that God doesn’t make mistakes, so I believe love is created in many forms–all from God–including gay marriage. And while I am not a socialist, I am also not a Mormon, (which demeans and devalues Gods grace as a FREE gift–never earned and never lost) and I DO believe in equal pay for equal work. I believe rape is rape, and NEVER a gift from God. I also believe that we were entrusted with the CARE of creation–not to rape it for our own financial gain and creature comforts, but to learn to live in harmony with it. And I believe that a real Christian walks his talk–and doesn’t hide money from his government and his church. He would also have the conscience and the courage to sign up for military service after his time as a missionary was done–especially if he is about serving God through serving his nation.
The rules you seem to endorse again muddy the line–what is your plumb line between Old Testament legalistic thinking and the freedom Jesus gives?
For shame on you. Indeed we as Christians are required to stand up for justice—and be active in our communities–but people like you are the reason that the American Christianity is becoming a minority–people lump us all in the same category as your closed mindedness–and your belief in such a small harsh god.
For shame on you. I am part of a church that doesn’t push a particular candidate –indeed–we are all loved and accepted no matter what our differences. The United Methodist Church is my home because we don’t eschew conditional grace, conditional communion, or any particular politics.
I will pray that the people who read your column realize it is from you and not God.
I feel that many of the political comments approaching the election are a little one-sided. The examples you give of things that Christians should be voting for are always examples of things in the Republican party platform. I suppose that you are not allowed to support Mitt Romney and other Republicans because of tax-exempt status. It would be more honest for you to do so, but I do understand that you probably cannot.
I just feel really strongly that being a Christian does not in any way require one to oppose bank and auto bailouts, entitlements, or even all abortions. Christian hyper-morality, largely unregulated capitalism, and an attitude that government can’t accomplish much seem to have melded together in today’s Republican Party. It’s hard for Christians to sort it out when it’s being strongly implied that everything that today’s ever-more-conservative Republican Party espouses is the will of God.
Thank for sharing your personal political views under the guise of a biblical devotional.
I anxiously await the message you share everyday in Wisdom Hunters and even lend my financial support. Please know that your political commentary about voting was unsettling. I come to wisdom Hunters to escape the rhetoric of political commentary. I hope that this was a “one ism” or I will be forced to look to another source for spiritual inspiration.
It’s so amazing how this election in specific, not even the election before proves it is not about faith from those who write posts such as this one. The republican candidate who is running has less biblical principles that line-up up with the Word of God than our president. Why is this not recognized? Do people openly ignore this fact based upon other factors, such as skin color? Jesus is a lover of people and caring for people is His number 1 interest. You left out an important scripture which is also a COMMANDMENT;” the second is this, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:31 NASB)
Very surprised to receive an email devotional from you almost entirely devoid of christian and biblical values. Perhaps you should read the Gospels again, or Paul’s admonishments about railing against what early Christians perceived to be an unfair and oppressive system of government. It’s pretty clear what your political beliefs are, and your attempt to guilt others into the course of action you desire (while misusing scripture to do it) is highly offensive. My scripture for you is Exodus 20: 7. Using the name of the Lord in vain applies to more than just off-color curses. If you cannot keep your secular political agenda out of these daily devotionals, please remove me from your email list. You have done serious damage to your credibility as a resource and daily dose of encouragement/accountability partner.
It seems that those who have commented on this devotional do not have much regard for God’s Word. Oh, the “touchy/feely” stuff is covered, but not the TRUTH of God’s commandments and/or His justice. Those who profess to be Christians and willing to follow and obey Christ, need to do the research in what God has to say re: the very issues that are “political” today. He never changes to “go along with the times” and therefore, liberal thinking coming from either party doesn’t align with scripture. In this election, there is one candidate and one party that more closely speaks the truth of God’s Word and it isn’t the liberal/progressive one. Don’t fool yourself (or others) because you are in a liberal, “do your own thing” church – God will not be mocked. His Word is true and unchanging. Sin is sin and if we endorse it, promote it, vote for it – we are complicit in it! We do indeed need to pray for God’s guidance before casting our vote!
Truly insightful. I have just published a book about my Identity Theft. When beginning the book I felt that it would target the Phantoms who steal our financial identity. As the book progressed I knew The Holy Spirit was guiding the writing. As it turned out my heart knew that my true Identity was never about the money. True Identity is “who” we are in Christ.
Thank you for teaching clear concise principals. And I urge all who get your devotional to share. I have this because a friend shared it wth me.
Patti,
While I share none of your views, I believe that you are actually the type of christian that muddies the line. This article was not pushing a particular political agenda but merely saying to be a responsible Christian citizen, as teh article is titled. I believe that is exactly what he did. It very specifically says “If we say we believe…” than that is what we need to vote to be a responsible Christian citizen.
My suggestion to you would be if you don’t like that way Boyd writes don’t subscribe.
Pr5:1 My son pay attention to my wisdom, turn your ear to my words of insight, that you may maintain discretion & your lips may preserve knowledge.
Pr5:6 She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it.
Pr5:12 You will say, “How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction! I would not obey my teachers or turn my ear to my instructors. And I was soon in serious trouble in the assembly of God’s people.
Pr5:21 For your ways are in full view of The Lord, & He examines all your paths. :23 For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly.
This was a political post and not a biblical one. Where in The Word does it speak of a free enterprise system or balanced budgets? Regardless if you agree that those are keys to a successful political platform, encouraging Christians to follow a platform in the name of The Lord is shameful. As one who has read your devotionals daily and purchased your books I am saddened. You should repent from being led by pride and political dogma instead of by the Lord’s Word. You should be ashamed.
Thank you for writing a honest devotional about what God would expect from us on election day! Not once did you mention a candidate or a particular party, but I see that many have referred to that as if you did! My thought is maybe their Christian conscience is trying to speak to them and they are refusing to listen! I feel we need to vote our Christian values before anything else. We need to look at God’s word and see what he says!
I, among many it seems, was extremely disappointed by the devotional this morning. Normally I love your devotionals and how applicable they are to everyday life, however this one disturbed me. I love that your devotionals create conversations and demand critical thinking and for me to push harder into my relationship with Jesus when reading them. And that was how this one started it seemed. With a challenge to live beliefs through actions specifically when it came to voting and the government. Then you spoon fed beliefs. Very one sided beliefs. Nothing about caring for the poor or loving our neighbor, things as I recall Jesus was pretty big on. Or even choosing a leader that shares your faith, which for the record one presidental candidate is a mormon, which has some stark differences from conventional christianity. I appreciate challenging devotionals, but not ones where I am spoon fed beliefs of others. I will continue to recieve this emails in hopes this was a one time occurance, if not I will choose to end my subscription.
I have been blessed by these daily devotionals but have been very disappointed in recent weeks to see these being used to promote one candidate, perhaps not even the one who is the best leader for our country.
I read this from the viewpoint of someone who is not religious and does not attend church. What surprised me most is the condemnation from those who subscribe your religion.
What is wrong with having an opinion on who should win an election? Didn’t God instill the intelligence and free thinking in human beings to allow them to help guide their society the way they want?
Don’t those who criticize you realize that women in the Middle East also pray to God to release them from the burqas they must wear, the stonings they face for false witness charges? If they had the CHOICE, they’d want their religious leaders to speak up and out against the Taliban and the oppression they are under. Here in the U.S. we enjoy a freedom of speech and thought known to NO OTHER NATION UNDER GOD.
Thank you, Mr. Bailey, for speaking your mind as a CITIZEN, a religious leader, and thinking human being.
For those of you who criticize Mr. Bailey’s comment about voting for like minded politicians on the issues of sanctity of life…let me remind you that the Democratic platform has no problem not only with abortion, but with completing that abortion in the final stages of pregnancy and Mr. Obama voted 3 times against legislation that would make it the law to save the life of a breathing, viable aborted baby. He voted AGAINST that law. How anyone of religious value can support the Democratic platform knowing that is beyond me.
For shame on those who attack you, Mr. Bailey, for expressing your God-given intelligent opinion.
I am very, very disappointed in what you have written today. True Believers are not of this world. Sure all have free will but what you have written today saddens me greatly. I make sure that I read the words of wisdom that you send out each day with joy. I make sure that I send them out to all that I know and cherish. Yeshua did sent these words to the king at that time, “Tell that FOX, that I have nowhere to lay my head…..” I recall what He told Pilate. He said that we are no more of this world as He is not. I have unsubcribed from many sites within this last year. I do not like many of the decisions that President Barack Obama made but He was raised to this position my a higher force than votes. Ex-President Bush was elected in the beginning by the Supreme Court. Yeshua is the King of all kings. None of us, the sheep of HIS pasture should be listening to and following the voice of the world.His voice is the ONLY voice we hear and follow. We may not have complete understanding of everything but HE does. I truly believed that you were also a Follower. I cannot get in the arena with the world. He, Yeshua, called the world god-less, loveless and sightless. He also said that “If you find the godless workd is hating you,remember it got its start from hating ME. If you live on the world’s terms, the world would LOVE YOU as one of ITS own. But I PICKED YOU to live on God,s terms and no longer on the world,s terms, the world IS going to hate you. .. I have told you these things to prepare you for for the rough times ahead, They are going to throw you out of the meeting places. There will even come a time when anyone who kills you will think he’s doing God a favor. They will do these things BECAUSE they NEVER really understood the Father. I have told you these things so that when the time comes and they start in on you , you will be well warned and ready for them.” (John 15 and 16)
I do not believe in Mormonism. Yeshua is not their focus. A pit is being dug. I pray that you will not fall into it with the mass of people who are being deceived,
I am united with you in this.
Yehsua is our focus
Psalm 94:20 & 21
Can a corrupt throne be allied with You – a throne that brings on misery by it’s decrees?
The wicked band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.
Amen!
Ecclesiastes 10:2 – The heart of the wise man inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.
Like the Pharisees, the Left “gives” in a purely self-aggrandizing fashion, and gives from the public coffers, not their own money. Jesus had no love of Pharisees. The Bible also warns time and time again about child-murder (child sacrifice). Yet the Pharisee Left embraces and champions it along with sexual deviancy God also condemns and clearly states excludes practitioners thereof from salvation if they do not repent and cease. Isaiah 5:20 – Woe to those who call evil good and good evil. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 give a list of who will NOT inherit the kingdom of God…see 4 and 5 on the list, practicing homosexuals will never be accepted. By coddling them with false compassion, you doom them. The Left abuses God’s word to elevate themselves. Jesus will look at you and say, (Matthew 7:23) “I never knew you, depart from me, you evil doers.” I have seen a video of Obama talking about his Muslim faith, he is a Muslim, not Christian. He is a Trojan Horse fabricated and groomed to spend us into oblivion (debauch the currency as Marxist tenets recommend, destroy the middle class- as Marxist tenets recommend, destroy free enterprise to make sure all citizens are so dependent on the government they myst comply with complete loss of their frredomsof perish – as Marxist tenetsrecommend, outlaw and confiscate all guns because again, this is straight from Vladimir Lenin – “one man with with gun can control 100 without”.) In short, you are “casual Christians” with no in depth knowledge of the Bible, only snippets you hang your hat on exclusively, no knowledge of governing systems, no knowledge of OUR history or world history, no knowledge of Biblical prophecy, no knowledge of how Islam infiltrates, subverts, and conquers, no knowledge of economics… no knowledge of what Communism or Socialism really are, how they work and destroy a society, how they are NOT compatitble with Christianity and prosperity or you’d know we are about to become a third world nation under Obama. And the sad thing, is that it is a wholly and totally self-imposed, blissful, delusional IGNORANCE. You betray your God, your country, your children… You brood of vipers. (Matthew 12:34).
By the volume of comments you’ve already received, I respectfully add this one and urge you to review gospel accounts of a Christ who was staunchly apolitical. Please view this sermon from Bryan Wilkerson of Grace Chapel in Lexington MA: http://www.grace.org/sermSermon Video – October 28, 2012
Sermon title: “Will We Ever Learn to Get Along?” Teaching Pastor: Bryan Wilkersononvideo
I simply ask you to read and listen to the above replies. Your arrogance was unsettling to be sure. God bless you…
This email was disgusting. It’s blatant endoresment of conservative political positions sickened. It’s all I could do not to unsubscribe. Tell me, where is the Gospels did Jesus teach “free enterprise”, a “balanced budget” and “sanctity of life”? The author shouldn’t post a new comment until he finds those terms in the Bible, or radically changes his thinking.
Yes, we are to be guided by our Christian principals, and beliefs, and for sure this is in every facet of our lives. We must not judge, we must LOVE every body, as the one and only God made us all, and if we are going to lead God’s people jn any political office, we must lead all people, not put one group above another group, not think that our sins of commission and or omission are any less than anyone else. And we must also know lying to get a football is very slippery.
And my daily enjoyment of reading your page everyday, is just a bit tempered today as “politics” crept in.
You definitely hit a nerve with a lot of people. But I believe you hit the nail on the head- Right on! Too often we say we’re Christians without backing it up. God did say to love people but not their sin. And yes being gay is a sin…so is killing the unborn.
Vote backing your morals and based on the Bible. It’s our duty. Sorry if you don’t like it folks, it’s the truth.
No it’s simply your opinion.
I agree
I think you should reread the New Testament and find out what Jesus was all about! Your unabashed support for one party over another reduces the respect I had gained for your publication.
It upsets me greatly that any part of the body of Christ would endorse a political party or mislead other members of the body of Christ and try to manipulate them into seeing things according to their point of view or culture. The truth is that there currently is no political party that truly adheres to the Word of God. At best the political parties in the USA might adhere to some parts of the Word while doing a very poor job with the rest of the Word. Anytime we become so legalistic and strongly resemble the legalistic religious leadership during Christ’s lifetime, we have missed the entire point of being salt and being light.
In the parable of the Good Samaritan the first person to walk by and leave the person that had been attacked and left for dead was a priest.
There is a segment of the religious community that is so blindsighted by their points that they don’t have the compassion or enough of the love of Christ in them that they are leaving so many left behind who have been gravely injured in this society without any Good Samaritans to care for the injured or have the compassion to care for their souls.
Recently I’ve heard misguided politicians state what they believe to be “God’s will” for people who have been viciously attacked. Does the religious segment who support these terribly misguided politicians, believe the people who have been mistreated should be shown any compassion? Are we now so stuck on a political position that our society is now devoid of Good Samaritans?
I find it even more disturbing is that we have political segments that now think that the poor are even less deserving of the little help that they have received in recently years. The safety net is so inadequate as it is that food banks can not make up for the difference for those who are going without. We now have so many more children living in poverty.
Jesus said when I was hungry you fed me, when I was thirtsy you gave me drink. Both the Old and New Testament state that true religion is based on how we treat the poor.
We don’t have a political party in the United States that uses the Word of God as the basis of political policies. But I am certain that despite that fact the body of Christ can do a much better job of Being our Brother’s Keeper and loving our neighbors as ourselves. Would any of the Body of Christ want to be treated better if we found ourselves unfortunate to find ourselves poor without resources and without any one around to show compassion or aid us in a time of need?
Jesus saw to people’s physical needs before He feed them the Word. Jesus had so much compassion that he wept.
I weep now because our society so badly needs Good Samaritans to show the love of God and His mercy that leads us to salvation. It’s the love of God that shows us a more excellent way to live.
Thank you for your comments Polkadot! The Lord really blessed you to say so much from the Word of God about this. Bless you!
I appreciate all comments, points of view, and everything else I read. This is a very sensitive subject and like it was said, no political party is totally right or totally wrong. The “elephant in the room” that no one wants to discuss is that that whether followers of the Mormon faith NEVER get an abortion, never get drunk, never get a divorce, kill someone, etc., they have not believed in Jesus Christ as the scripture has said. They have added to the Word, which is forbidden, and they have an alternative world view of God’s true intent of redeeming us. I don’t understand why so many people are down on President Obama, who is blatantly NOT perfect, and pretend that Romney is the ideal candidate just because he says he believes all of the things that are on the Republican platform when he belongs to a ministry that is clearly not of Heaven? God bless.
I fully agree. I LOVE receiving these daily, but today I am angry. Never have I been angry before. This was just wrong.
Proud CHRISTIAN Democrat
Already voted for My President
agree, not happy
I agree with you
yes
I thought I was going to be the only one who felt this way. I look forward to receiving these everyday, Now….not so much
keep religion out of politics, they have nothing to do with each other. presidents are only people and all people are imperfect. Dont tell me that I am not a Christian if I dont vote for a certain person, who are you to judge?
I agree totally Vanessa!
I do not believe that the platform to live out the teachings of Jesus means that all brothers and sisters in Christ are led to vote for the same political candidate in their country’s elections. Jesus taught us to not judge others. Jesus emphasized loving God with our whole heart and our neighbor as ourself, which would include people, even other Christians, who may have differing thoughts and ideas from our own. Christians can have different opinions, and still together be the salt of the earth.
Each of us, as a precious creation of God, must prayerfully consider how God calls us to respond to this world. To vote a certain way in elections, simply because it is “popular” with other Christians, would not be faithfulness. It could actually be taking part in a type of mob mentality. Mob mentality is sometimes associated with shouting, panic, and even trampling one another. Sometimes we need to stop all our clamor and be silent to that we can collectively hear the voice of God. “Be still and know that I am God.”
God created each of us in His image; each of us is gifted with a unique calling and talents. We are *all* valuable to God, and worthy of our own calling. God loves each individual, and does call some to lead. But no human being and certainly no political party is the “hope” for our nation. As my pastor gently reminded our congregation recently, God is the only hope for our nation. Are we sometimes tempted to pray for God to bring about *our* will, rather than relinquishing our determination to be in charge, and asking God to reveal *God’s* will for us as his children, and for his church? Are all the put-downs in this election pleasing to God? Why do so many “Christians” seem to feel entitled to scream mean things in this popular attempt to “take back the country”? Is this how we model Christianity to non-believers, and even to our younger churched brothers and sisters? Do we self-righteously think we are being like Jesus over-turning the money-changers’ tables? Or are we, rather, fighting like children on a playground, unable to step back and see what we’re actually doing?
I appreciate many of your writings, Boyd, and am so often truly inspired by them. But I have noticed a cheapening of the term “Christian” in this political campaign, and the content of today’s devotional almost seems to echo some of the sentiments of current “pop-Christian” politics, rather than solid spiritual inspiration. It does not sound like it was written by the Boyd who taught us in the “Rely on God” devotional that “It is when we rely on ourselves (I’m reading this in plural right now) that our faith becomes stale and irrelevant……..When we bow in humble worship of the Almighty, we avoid worshipping at the altar of our ego or economics.” And who so correctly reminds us “We can say we depend on God, but if we scramble around in a panic we act like He is out of control……”
Kingdom citizenship allows us all to be united in Christ. In fact, it is the citizenship that enables us all to live in sacred respect of each other. We need to prayerfully build relationships with all our neighbors, not just those who agree with us (including other Christians). When God created “people”, he used creativity beyond what any of us could have conjured up. Why can’t we take God’s creativity seriously? Why can’t we honor Jesus’ teaching more deeply and learn to value each other, and even become amazed at each person’s worth? That way we never stop learning and growing in Christ. That way we will not be as the priest and the Levite in Luke 10, and we may even be more able to recognize some unlikely Samaritans on the way to work (and the polls) .
Thanks so much for everyone’s spirited input, now let’s all vote today following the Spirit’s leadership. Love to all.
A fellow servant of Jesus,
Boyd
Please stop these Huckabee moments.
Our light shines, and the glory of a living God can be seen within us. I want a government that can govern with a steady hand, influenced by good will, and all inclusive, NOT exclusive. You are making it hard to continue reading your devotionals.
Thank you for your comments….So many people do not do any research and you have done yours…….
It’s amazing with all your biblical understanding, you still don’t get it,my brother.
You’ve just lost another subscription.
I am wondering how many of you so called “Christians” are actually reading the word of God? This daily devotional references God’s word, not man’s, to back up what it is sharing with us. The Bible is very clear on abortion and marriage. The first book of the Bible Genesis Chapter 2 states what is a suitable helper for man and it is a woman. This was the first marriage that ever took place and God instituted it. So please explain to us how as “Christians” you think voting for a politician that is for gay marriage and abortion is God’s will.
Amen!
Thanks, Boyd, for your biblical insights to our responsibility, as Christians, to vote!!!
My pastor said that the cumulation of votes really reflects the heart of the conscience of Americans. Sad to say, even if the majority of Americans did vote according to their conscience and represented the majority of the nation, how would we ever know? You can feel to the very gut of your being that there has been miscounts in this whole ordeal. The bullying comes not from the Republican side, so to speak, but the overwhelming fear from the other side that they “might have lost” which they probably did.