Where is our security during the EU debate?
Dear Friends,
This month sees the much talked about and debated referendum on Europe. Shall we go or shall we stay? Will we remain in or remove ourselves out of it? Politicians on both sides seem reduced to trying to scare us more than seduce us with this question. There are fears as daft as possibly having to rename Brussels Sprouts, Westminster Growths, if we leave and not being able to visit Paris Disney if we stay.
Seldom has an issue divided a people so much and emotions run so high, and whilst every true follower of Jesus has a responsibility to “render to Caesar what is Caesar’s” and to “seek the welfare of the city” knowing what to decide demands a prayerful and careful Christ- like consideration. In any political decision, Christians will likely come to different views, but we should not make these matters central to faith when they are not. There isn’t a Christian position on the EU referendum and where we do disagree with others, let us disagree with their arguments, but at all times have a charitable view of their motives. I should not assume for example that simply because someone favours immigration controls that they are racist.
As a follower of Jesus, I’m called to keep Him the central passion of my heart. The danger is that almost without knowing, I can let passion for a political cause or candidate dampen my fire for Jesus, defying The Great Commandment to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). When I let any other cause make me act less like Jesus, I’ve lost my way.
As I’ve listened to the arguments on both sides in the lead up to this EU referendum I couldn’t help but wonder if I am as passionate in my desire to see people right with God and ready for heaven as those are who either want us to stay in or get out of Europe. To the apostle Paul, people’s eternities mattered so much more than political elections. “We would rather put up with anything than be an obstacle to the Good News about Christ” (1 Corinthians 9:12). So if the gospel suffers because of my personal preference for something, then I had better keep my mouth shut lest someone close their heart when I talk about Jesus.
So much seems up for grabs in this turbulent debate and these troubled times, but ONE thing isn’t; the fact that God is still in charge. As (Psalm 11:3-4) reminds us, “When the foundations are being destroyed, what need the righteous do? The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord is on His heavenly throne.” He has never moved and He it isn’t going to either, so if my hopes are anywhere else or in anyone else then I’ll miss the peace of living in the unshakeable security that my Father in heaven will decide the outcomes. He is sovereign over the affairs of men. This means that we can trust him to do what is best for his glory.
So if on June 23rd the vote goes the wrong way (whichever way you think that might be) remember that God will still be reigning on the 24th June. This doesn’t mean that a wrong decision won’t lead to difficult times ahead but it does mean that we can trust God to work out his purposes for good.
Your Friend and Pastor
Shaun