What in the World? – Jim Fowler
We are embroiled in another presidential election in the United States of America. What a quagmire of contentious humanistic ideologies. The liberals or progressives are identified with the uncontrollable, always kicking jackass. The political conservatives, inclusive of the so-called evangelicals, are identified with the lumbering mammoth pachyderm. When hyperactivity without direction is set against slow-motion with determined resolve to remain in place there is likely to be little consensus and constant bickering of how to get anything accomplished with any negotiated reconciliation of purpose. That is the political dilemma of the United States today!
What can be done to bring this insanity into some kind of peaceful equilibrium? Some ask, “what can we do to change (or save) the world? The answer is “Nothing!” The world cannot be saved! It is like someone standing on the tracks of an approaching freight train and wanting to do something to change its course. The nature of the hyperactive jackass and the nature of the sedentary pachyderm cannot be altered. They both derive their nature, character, and humanistic goals from “the ruler of this world” (John 12:31;16:33). The battle is staged by the “evil one” whose goals are always adversarial. His character always involves “enmity, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, and factions” (Gal. 5:20).
So, what is our response to what is going on in the world? Most Christ-ones will stand back with resignation and declare, “the world’s going to do what the world’s going to do.” There are those who are called to or inclined to endure engagement in the thick of the battle. Others will stand on the sideline and bitch, often “taking sides” with one of the irrelevant ideologies. Christ-ones are called to be beacons of light (Matt. 5:14) in the darkness of the world, to set our minds above the fray on “the things above” (Col. 3:1,2) where Christ reigns. Whatever the situations, we are to derivatively exhibit the “fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and godly control of themselves.” Regardless of what is going on in the political world, such character cannot be quenched.
Jim Fowler is a cherished and respected friend of Plain Truth Ministries, a wonderful brother in Christ, having served in a variety of capacities, on our Board of Directors, as a theological consultant and as an author and editor. He continues to write, with his latest being “Manifesting the Life of Jesus” available on Amazon. Jim is a treasure to the body of Christ, a Christ follower who faithfully reflects God’s grace in Jesus, as our risen Lord lives his life within him.
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