Well, here we are!  Election day, 2020!  Growing up, Election Day was more like the Super Bowl.  We all had a side, but we all smiled, laughed and knew we were in this together. Now, it’s more like the Super Bowl with knives.  We have the feeling that someone is going to get hurt.

Christians, or citizens of God’s kingdom are not immune by getting swept up in the culture.  With that in mind, I created my own Declaration of Dependence. Each statement reflects my complete dependence on Christ, his power and his ways. 

Each commitment is written in the plural, because I hope you will join me in these commitments.  We are the church living as exiles, scattered ones, just as Jesus promised.  And our living out of the gospel is more important than ever.  So, here’s my list.  Feel free, in the comments to sign on to this, or to add your own.

So, what will we do tomorrow?

1) We will follow the ethic of our King and His Kingdom.  This ethic is love toward friend and foe alike. (Matthew 22:36-40)

2) We will forgive, and trust in the forgiveness of God in Christ.  We believe that our offenses against God are greater than anyone else’s offenses toward us. (Matthew 6:12; Matthew 18:21-35)

3) We will walk in the way of the cross; sacrificing all we hold dear so Jesus name is lifted up.  We are confident that any and all of our cross-carrying ends in resurrection. (Luke 9:23-26)

4) We will work for reconciliation – peace between enemies.  Reconciliation in Christ is our message.  Reconciliation in Christ is our ministry. (2 Corinthians 5:16-21)

5) We will pray for those in power as those appointed by God.  We pray not that God will bend their minds toward us, but that they will be righteousness-minded. (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

6) We will identify with the broken, as Christ identified with us in the incarnation. We will remember that the primary human condition is bondage and oppression, and the need is freedom in Christ. (Matthew 25:31-46)

7) We will wash feet, or wear masks, or open doors and wallets.  We will serve at our expense with hearts of generosity. (John 13:1-7)

8) We will use speech that is gracious and kind as Peter says, befits people of faith, living in a hostile world. (1 Peter 2:13-17)

9) We will value all as those who are made in God’s image and recognize the real enemy as the spiritual forces of wickedness that harasses and enslaves all people. (Ephesians 6:12)

10) We will long for the coming of Christ and the consummation of His Kingdom without withdrawing from the world Christ came to redeem. (2 Timothy 4:6-8; Matthew 25)

What will I do tomorrow? I pray, by God’s grace, I will do the above.  Because I believe Jesus and His Way will produce the fruit we’ve been looking for, rather than us settling for a cheap replacement that all others offer.

I pray Jesus and his Word will fill you with wisdom, grace and love as you live out your dependence on Him.

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