• Welcome to Rev. Dr. Paul Gibson
  • Blog
  • Sermons/Teachings/Workshops
  • About
  • Contact
REV. DR. PAUL GIBSON
  • Welcome to Rev. Dr. Paul Gibson
  • Blog
  • Sermons/Teachings/Workshops
  • About
  • Contact

Confession and prayer in politics 

10/16/2016

1 Comment

 
 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16

    As a father, Trump’s actions and words abhor me. I cannot vote for someone who I would be afraid to have around my daughter. As a person who loves my country, Clinton’s strongly questionable actions as Secretary of State disappoint me. I cannot vote for a person who appears to not understand the double-standard that has been set regarding her behavior and the ramifications of such actions for any military personnel who would choose the same actions.  However, as a Christ-follower and pastor, I find their inability to be contrite and humble regarding their actions to be most telling. I never want to follow someone who is unable to confess their sins or shortcomings and genuinely ask for forgiveness. 

    We need healing in our great land. Based upon the words of James, healing occurs when we confess our sins to and pray for one another. I do not ask that our candidates be perfect, but I ask that they are honest and confessional regarding their sins and shortcomings. Sadly, we have seen the exact opposite during this election cycle. Horrible things have been said and harmful actions have occurred. Has either major party candidate expressed humility and contrition which lead to true confession and repentance? A person cannot offer a true confession while practicing projection or casting blame or minimizing their offenses. 

    But, I have heard others say, “We are not choosing a Sunday school teacher here” or “They were just playing to their base.” As if to say, “This is politics and we excuse comments and actions based upon their political and social contexts.” I wish Donald Trump would truly understand how horrifying and painful his comments are to sexual assault victims. I wish Hillary Clinton would truly grasp how servicemen and service women grow angry when they see a double-standard regarding classified material. But, both candidates do not understand or grasp the weight of their actions because, well, after all, “it’s just politics.” 

    It’s not “just politics.”  It's about the future of my children and grandchildren. It’s about being a decent person who loves and values humanity. And in order to love and value humanity, one must be willing to confess in a contrite and humble way when they have maligned their fellow human. (See Psalm 51 and King David.) I am not asking that a Sunday School teacher be president, but I am asking for a president who strives to pursue “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, and whatever is admirable” (Philippians 4:8) and to confess when they fall short of the mark. No politician will truly heal our land. Confession and prayer can heal our land.

    But, lest I only shed light on the actions of our politicians, I must first understand and admit that confession and prayer starts with me. I cannot control the actions of Mr. Trump or Secretary Clinton, but I can control whether or not I am practicing contrite confession. I can control whether or not I pray for our current and next president.  And, I can confess that there have been times during this election season that I have taken my eyes off the King of Kings and have placed them too much on fallible candidates. 

    Lord, please forgive me of taking my eyes off of you. And Lord, please, heal our land. Heal our land. Heal our land. Amen. 
1 Comment
Bruce
10/17/2016 06:35:27 pm

I have never been so troubled over an election. I get so tired of people saying they don 't care if their candidate did this or that they are voting for that person anyway! I cannot feel right voting for the choices we have because I cannot find even the smallest Christian morrals in anything that they talk about. Dayna keeps asking me who we are voting for and I cannot make a decison I can be comfortable with as a christian. I have prayed for this and our country more than I ever have! Thanks for your concernment by trying to help our community thru this with your messages.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Paul Gibson 

    ​Paul is the husband to Tara, father to Natalie and Isaac, has an average jump shot, and enjoys running. His secret wish is to one day become a Jedi Knight. Paul holds a doctorate in marriage and family counseling from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and currently serves as senior pastor of Harrodsburg Baptist Church. Paul desires to help young couples navigate the early crucibles of marriage, especially when one or both of the spouses are engaged in vocational ministry.

    Archives

    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Welcome to Rev. Dr. Paul Gibson
  • Blog
  • Sermons/Teachings/Workshops
  • About
  • Contact