You and Politics

6 October 2021

Ever noticed how many overseas visitors enjoy our lovely town? They always think this country is fantastic. We respond, “don’t you realise how corrupt our government is?” but they will ignore that fact and fully enjoy South Africa. Ever wondered why that is?

In the same way, South Africans that go and work overseas will agree that the local politics over there will have minimal impact on them. Why is that?

We need to realise that when you visit another country, you are a representative of your own country. You are like an ambassador of your own country, and the politics of the other has minimal effect on you.

Christians are ambassadors. We represent heaven, the Kingdom of God.

2Cor 5:20
Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ.

But we are more than ambassadors:

1Pet 2:9
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

We need to consider the task of an ambassador. Do they get involved in local politics?

As we watch the video about our South African History (see the link below), we realise that we have a long history of self-preservation in South Africa. We had to protect ourselves from conflict with other tribes and the British. Therefore self-preservation is rooted deep within our culture and society.

Jesus teaches that there is no place for self-preservation and that we have to die to self. (Rom 12:1, Gal 2:20, Luk 9:23, Gal 5:24, Joh 12:24, Mat 10:38, Mark 8:35, Rom 6:8, Joh 3:30)

South Africa is not Israel. South Africa is not a “verbondsvolk” (covenant nation). God deals with Israel as a nation, believers (the church/bride of Christ) and the world (unbelievers). Christianity has not replaced Israel (replacement theology).

We are ambassadors, a royal priesthood with a specific task on hand:

1Tim 2:1-4
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Many pray for the corruption in the government to end. That is like asking a dog not to bark; it’s their nature. Should we not pray for men to be saved, and then the corruption will end?

Christians are the salt of the earth and the light of the world, ambassadors, a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people. We are priests making intercession (the action of intervening on behalf of another) for South Africa. We don’t storm parliament to change the government for self-preservation.

We as priests also need to have faith to believe that Jesus is the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS and that HE IS SOVEREIGN. He does not need us to change the hearts of the people or the government. We plead and ask for His Mercy and Grace for this country and that HIS WILL BE DONE because He is SOVEREIGN.

We do not need to do something to help God. Some ministers provoke Christians with fear saying, “we need to do something or we will be in trouble” (and Jesus will have a problem). This teaching originates from “kingdom-now theology”, which is rampant in the church today. See link1 link2 link3.

God is all-powerful, and the hearts of every man and woman are in His hands.

2Sam 19:14
So He swayed the hearts of all the men of Judah, just as the heart of one man.
Exo 14:17
And I indeed will harden the hearts of the Egyptians.
1Kings 8:39
For You alone know the hearts of all the sons of men.
1Kings 18:37
You have turned their hearts back to You again.
1Chron 28:9
The LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts.
Psa 7:9
For the righteous God tests the hearts and minds.
Prov 21:2
But the LORD weighs the hearts.
Jer 31:33 – Heb 10:16
I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts.
Jer 32:40
I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me.
Eze 32:9
I will also trouble the hearts of many peoples.
Mal 4:6
And He will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers.

God’s People Get The Leaders They Deserve.

2Ch 7:14
“if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

In this passage of scripture, God places the healing of a nation squarely on the shoulders of His people (believers). If we do our part God will do His part by healing the land.

One way God blesses a Nation is to restore good, godly leadership.
One way God judges a Nation is to remove all good, godly leadership.

Pro 14:34
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.

Exalt means to be raised, uplifted and be set on high. Reproach means to disgrace, discredit and bring to nought.

Perhaps if the church preaches righteousness and not a watered-down seeker-friendly message, we will see the result in the government. Righteousness is to be in right standing with God as we obey His new testament commands.  1Joh2:3-4, 1Thes4:2, Joh14:15, Joh15:10, 1Cor7:19, 1Cor14:37, 1Joh3:22-24, 1Joh5:2-3, 2Joh1:6, Rev12:17, Rev14:12, Rev22:14 Therefore we need to intercede and make supplications as priests for South Africa.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I come before You in the Name of Jesus as Your ambassador and priest making intercession for South Africa. I ask for your forgiveness for this nation, and I ask that Your Grace and Mercy abound. I pray for all the leaders in the government and all those in authority in South Africa; that You open their eyes, turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins. Act 26:18 I pray for the peace of South Africa and that Your Will be done because every heart is in Your Hands and You are absolutely Sovereign. Please help me be the salt in South Africa and be the Light of Jesus Christ dispelling the darkness.
In Jesus Name, Amen.

2Cor 4:6
For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Written by C&C