Of course my political opinions have changed!

For me, as a secular humanist, I believed that any form of progress (i.e. humanist ‘salvation’) would come through political systems. As man’s own genius was paramount, I knew man could and would eventually rescue mankind.

Now, as a Follower of Christ, I know salvation is only available through the One who has been given all authority in Heaven and on Earth.

meaning,

you may craft a policy to provide healthcare, but policy can never heal the human soul. you can increase educational funding, but you’ll never redeem the depraved mind of man. you can spend your life fighting for equality, but you’ll never wash society of its murderous desires.

this does not mean healthcare, education, or equality are bad things - only that policy won’t change hearts – it will never fix the problem. Securing these things displays a little bit of God’s common grace to mankind (or, grace extended to all, even nonbelievers, daily on earth), because mankind deserves to perish in their immoral, unrighteous, selfishness, yet God allows them semi-order and protection from more violent sins through the government.

That said, politics is an unbelievably difficult topic for me because of my sin. I lust after the idolatry of keeping up with CNN and providing my arrogant commentary to every issue and judging others on their political preference – my God, please LORD deliver me from my pride, my ego burns my zeal for YOUR Glory! 

Thus the topic of politics is nuanced for me, partially because I understand the implications of some issues in a very detailed way which creates grey area, but most of this “nuance-ing” is because of my sin: I don’t want to give up my political agenda and WORSHIP God – I don’t want to seem unknowledgeable – I want to be well spoken and respected and so I spend enormous amounts of time in my mind working out how I can hold on to my sin and still claim to love God, but the reality is this,

No one can serve two masters.
He will hate one and love the other.

I cannot love the world and love God. If I attempt, there will be consequences.

So, let me proclaim this now: If anyone is a Christian and places their trust and hope in politics or anything of this world – STOP. Spiritual maturity is not a game, and the LORD will discipline those who claim His name and yet are unfaithful, for He is jealous and He is righteous and He loves those who He ransomed and called, but most of all – He owns you – you, saint of the church, you are blood purchased, so stop branding yourself as either a liberal or conservative, a republican or a democrat and START identifying with the LORD OF ALL.
I say this because my heart breaks because of my own sin in this realm.

That said, I have opinions on current candidates – but most of my thoughts are sinful. This is all I think I can share, which isn’t very interesting. I was surprised Newt won the primary here, and I don’t think he’s a very energizing candidate for the republican ticket. I will most likely vote for Obama in the general election.

I’m prayerful that God will help me curb my worldly attitude in the election season. You can pray for me regarding that, if you are a brother or sister in Christ.