our real christian duty

16 The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:16-20

Many US citizens want to see the day when their country returns to its moral foundations. Yet, as wonderful as a reclaimed nation would be, if it were simply a political victory that reinstates rules of better behavior, it would not be better off.

As Ravi Zacharias has noted, “If we succeed in making America more moral, then what we will have is more lost moral Americans.” In The Pilgrim's Progress, Pilgrim gets sidetracked into a layover in the village of Morality, where all is morally correct. He finds, however, that morality without the cross cannot alleviate his burden of sin.

Unfortunately, we have often been led to believe that political triumph over the enemies of godliness is the best strategy. Yet, a political situation is a seductive sidetrack. It tempts us to shift our eyes away from what must be the focus of true followers—concern for the lost and for the growth of believers in Jesus.

Some of us can probably identify with the woman who approached me before a meeting. She told me that for 2 years she had been so deeply involved in political causes that she had neglected her growth in Jesus and her commitment to her local church in both time and giving. She had even come to see those on the other side of the political fence as enemies rather than ones for whom Jesus died. She admitted that during this time her intimacy with the Lord had dimmed. She was convicted about how quickly her political adrenaline had eclipsed her passion for the things of God and eternity.

While it may be energizing and exciting for us to believe that we are doing our Christian duty by marching, politicking, protesting, and supporting groups that do these things, it may well distract us from the most important task—glorifying God through Christlikeness and an unwavering commitment to the eternal destinies of friends and enemies alike.

The best way to win any nation is to care about the citizens . . . one at a time! —Joe Stowell www.rbc.org

seeking: Father, what have you shown me about how I've been glorifying you with my life? What have you helped me see about my priorities?

responding: What have I done recently to advance the cause of Jesus? • What is the balance between appropriate concern for a declining culture and concern for the people living in it?

Father, make me a disciple of Jesus who loves others and shows them your reality. Give me a greater passion for loving you and the people you bring into my life.

following: Reach one person at a time with the love of Jesus.

our journey