The Real Solution to This Country’s Problems

“When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquenceor superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For Iresolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and himcrucified…. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasivewords, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith mightnot rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power” (1 Corinthians 2:1-2, 4-5).

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers,intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those inauthority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness andholiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to besaved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-4).

These two texts bring us back to first priorities: preachingthe cross and praying for kings. Both of these texts have to do with thesalvation of men. God in his wisdom decided that proclaiming and praying wasour partnership in the Gospel. It is easy to get side-tracked to things likeconstitutional amendments on abortion or a balanced budget and a Christiangovernment. Paul did not have that luxury; neither does most of the worldtoday. These things are important, but they will not have a lasting effect if they are done on their own apart from the real solution. Let’s get our focus back on that real solution, the gospel of JesusChrist. Let us change the nation by proclaiming and praying.

 

Written November 1992.

How To Be Free From Bitterness and other essays on Christian relationships