I’m convinced that it’s time for God’s people to rise up and advance God’s Kingdom.
Far too much tread is burned on political efforts and arguments among God’s people.
But the true answer to transforming America—or any country, for that matter—isn’t found in the voting booth.
It’s found in making and multiplying disciples.
Let me explain: When we focus on building God’s Kingdom, we’re truly bringing change that will ultimately reveal itself in politics and policies.
Here’s the formula for political change that I live by:
REDEEMED HEARTS + RENEWED MINDS = A REVIVED COUNTRY
Let’s break this down.
REDEEMED HEARTS
For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
Romans 1:16
When a person puts their faith in Jesus as their Savior based on His finished work on the cross and resurrection from the dead, they’re redeemed from sin and Satan. They become children of God, and their hearts are made new (Titus 3:4-5). They’re declared citizens of Heaven (Philippians 3:20).
Our first and highest goal should be to see everyone in our reach get saved (Colossians 1:28-29). We should preach the Gospel with our lives and lips so everyone can hear it and see it validated through our love for others—and then believe.
In that moment their hearts are redeemed. They join Team Jesus forever!
RENEWED MINDS
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing, and perfect will.
Romans 12:2
Once a person puts their faith in Jesus, we make it our goal to help them grow. Central to this is helping them grow in their knowledge and application of God’s Word to their lives.
They’ll grow in how they view God and others. They’ll see the world in a whole new light—God’s light.
This, of course, will also impact the way they view politics and policies. It won’t take them away from the voting booth but drive them to it with renewed views and perspectives that are no longer conformed to the pattern of this world.
They’ll develop a high view of life, morals, character, truth, hard work, and godliness. It will impact the way they view economics, generosity, justice, and everything.
REVIVED COUNTRY
Jesus said:
‘Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.’
Matthew 12:33
What’s true of trees is true of people and countries.
If we had a sweeping revival that spread across the United States because hearts were being redeemed and minds were being renewed, then the fruit of our politics and policies would be good fruit, not bad.
When it comes to bad fruit, Henry David Thoreau put it this way:
For every thousand hacking at the leaves of evil, one strikes at the root.
If your answer to seeing this country or any country transformed is based merely on political activism, then you’re just striking at leaves.
Only the Gospel and God’s Word can strike at the root of evil.
Don’t misread what I’m saying. I believe we, as believers, have a responsibility to be politically involved and to vote. I don’t think we should shy away from the issues.
But we need to play the long game. We need to double down on evangelism and discipleship. We need to reach, disciple, and mobilize the next generation.
Political transformation will follow spiritual transformation.
Otherwise we’re just hacking at leaves.
