Franklin Graham, the son of Billy Graham, has recently at a big conference challenged the church to get involved in politics with the aim of encouraging Christian politicians to take an open stand in Washington, thus  turning the secular tide in America.

I appreciate his heart, but honestly, are we called upon to make this world a better world to live in?  Graham´s speech was probably a good speech cherished and applauded by his big audience, but how should “the common people”, i.e. common blue collar Christians, house wives, domestic helps, garbage collectors, farmers, retirees, etc. get involved?  They too belong to the body of Christ, but how should they go about it?

The answer, the Lord´s answer, is very simple. He doesn´t call upon us to make the world better, but to He saves us “from this perverse generation” (Acts 2:40), not to “christianize” it, but to witness against it and point to Jesus Christ as lost mankind´s absolutely only salvation.


My old beloved friend, John Coder, from Pennsylvania told us how in his mayor days he was approached by influential politicians who wanted him to get more involved. He asked them, “Why?”  Their answer was, “To make the world better!” His response was this simple one, “If you think you can do that you´re smarter than God!”  I liked that.  My friend knew his Bible and knew what it had to say concerning our true calling.

The Lord said to Paul, “I will deliver you from this people and the Gentiles, to whom I now send you!”  (Acts 26:17).   In other words, to render true help to our people for time and eternity we must, like Paul, be delivered from them.  In our Bible fellowship we´re now studying the book of Acts.  That book doesn´t teach us otherwise. Our witness will however, paradoxically, provide for an oasis or foretaste of the answer to the prayer, “Thy kingdom come!”

Febr. 1, 2015 - jn