WEDNESDAY'S WORD - POLITICAL - 4/3/19 Sadell Bradley New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"In our age there is no such thing as 'keeping out of politics.' All issues are political issues, and politics itself is a mass of lies, evasions, folly, hatred and schizophrenia. Political language...is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind." -George Orwell I'm not a fan of politics. It took me a while to realize how ubiquitous (present everywhere) they are, and not just in the systems of our government. Our families, churches, schools, and workplaces can all house political activity. Political situations sometimes catch me by surprise. "Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted." (Titus 1:15, NLT) Politics is defined as activities associated with governance, especially a debate or conflict among individuals or parties having or hoping to achieve power. Power, in this case, is the ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events.   POLITICAL means relating to the government or the public affairs of a country; or to the ideas or strategies of a particular group. Political also means affecting or acting according to the interests of status or authority within an organization, rather than matters of principle. Politics are described as activities within an organization aimed at improving someone's status or position that are typically considered to be devious or divisive. Conflict. Power. Strategy. Authority. Status. Devious. Divisive. VERSUS -Pure. Conscientious. Matters of Principle. Apple CEO Steve Jobs said, "In weak companies, politics win. In strong companies, the best ideas do." Christ followers believe ALL power belongs to God. "Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth." (Matt. 28:18)  God gives authority to whomever He wills. "Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God." (Rom. 13:1) For me, this nullifies the need to jockey for  power and position. I don't want or need it unless God gives it to me...and even then.     This passage in 2 Chronicles 1:1-3, when Solomon was crowned king over Israel, describes what a Christ- following leader should do when placed in a position of power and authority. "Solomon son of David took firm control of his kingdom, for the Lord his God was with him and made him very powerful. Solomon called together all the leaders of Israel-the generals and captains of the army, the judges, and all the political and clan leaders. Then he led the entire assembly to the place of worship in Gibeon, for God's Tabernacle was located there."