• The Solution Is Spiritual, Not Political

    By: Kristen L. McNulty

    Reprint rights available on request. Email the author at kristenmcnulty@hotmail.com.

    Right now the community that I live in is facing a lot of challenges. Thinking that there was a magic solution that our local leaders weren't implementing, I started researching what the situation is like in other communities, only to find out that one community after another is facing the very same issues with no quick fix. 

    Crime is up. Drug use is rampant. Children are growing up in unstable situations. Addictions are destroying lives. There are breakdowns in marriages and relationships. People are struggling with their mental health. People are dealing with rising disease rates, specifically with  autoimmune diseases and cancers. The cost of living is increasing and with it poverty levels. 

    Devastating, But Not Surprising

    While it is devastating to see this unfold in our world, sadly it is not surprising. Because these issues are not the symptoms of a geographic or political problem, but rather a spiritual one. In fact, the Bible warned us this was to come. Looking at 2 Timothy 3:1-5:

    You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. 2 Timothy 3:1-5


    Let’s take a look at Jesus' Words in Matthew 24:4-14 which reads:

    Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah.' They will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. "Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.  But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come. Matthew 24:4-14


    Spiritual Roots Need Spiritual Solutions

    So while it’s not surprising that as we get closer to the last days, we are seeing these things happen, we have to remember that issues that have spiritual roots need spiritual solutions, not worldly ones. During my research, many voices, including those of believers, seem to think the problem has a political solution. Meaning if only we elect the right leader or party, then our world or our community will go back to the good old days when families were stable, crime was unheard of, disease wasn’t rampant, and you could leave your doors unlocked at night. But truly, this is a lie that we are only too quick to swallow and it doesn’t take more than a few minutes on Twitter to see that many of us are being deceived on this issue. We are quick to promote politicians who are making us promises that if they are elected everything will change, when as believers we know the solution to the problems we face are spiritual, not political. What we are seeing in this world today are the symptoms of a fallen world getting closer to the return of Jesus. And no politician can pass a bill to turn our world back to a different time where people mainly believed and the world's morality was based on the Bible. Instead of wasting our time and energy trying to legislate Christianity, we should be out there as the light shining in the darkness pointing people to Jesus!

    I’ve never heard a salvation story of someone coming to know Christ because a certain party was elected into office. However, I have heard one testimony after another of people who came to know Christ because a Christian lived differently in this fallen world and pointed to Jesus as the reason why. 

    Sinking Our Time, Money, and Passion Into Seeing The Lost Get Found

    So where does that leave us as believers? I believe in a place where we should vote our conscience, but instead of looking to politics as a fix to be invested in, we should instead sink our time and money and passion into seeing the lost get found. Because the truth is, it is up to us. Those of us who know Jesus are the only ones who can bring His hope to those who are living in hopelessness and we are the only ones who can shine His light to those living in the darkness. The evening news can’t bring true hope, but Jesus can. Our laws can’t change someone’s heart, but Jesus can. Our leaders can’t change someone’s life from the inside out with a policy, but Jesus can and He does. That said, what are we waiting for?

    It’s time that we stopped looking to everyone else to be the answer to the world's problems and instead started sharing the life-changing message of Jesus Christ with everyone around us. It’s time that we stopped looking backwards on the good old days and instead see the circumstances around us as a warning alarm, reminding us that time is running out and Jesus’ return could be right around the corner. And if it is, do we really want to be caught asleep at the wheel? Or do we want to use every minute God has given us on this earth to shine His light to a dark and broken world in the way He intended? Matthew 5:14-16,

    You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:14-15


    Let's Not Deceive Ourselves

    Elsewhere in the book of Matthew Jesus warns us that in the final days, people will be trying to mislead us. Let’s be on guard for that, but let’s also make sure we are not misleading ourselves on our role in this situation. Salvation comes through Christ alone and as those who are saved, we have the responsibility to bring that hope and life and light to our lost, broken, and dark world. Closing off with Jesus’ words from Matthew 24 that we read earlier about the end times:

    Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.Matthew 24:12-14


    The only way the Good New will reach the whole world is if we as Christians bring it there. Let’s do it!

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