"Without God we can't, but without us, He won't. "

Dr. Loyd Ogilvie, former Chaplain, United States Senate

Escaping rather than leading

For example, I recently received an email from a pastor who said, "The way I am reading your email is that you are very concerned that the pulpits are not being political enough.  I am sorry but I cannot find any scriptures which support "any other gospel" except Jesus Christ and Him Crucified, being presented from the pulpit."

This mindset epitomizes the narrow, escapist, and unbiblical understanding of the Scriptures embraced by the majority of evangelical pastors and seminary professors in America today, the preaching and practice of which is destroying our witness and influence on American life, law, civil government, and public policy.

Teaching our congregations they have a 'salt and light' citizenship responsibility - and applying it to the political process - is not some "other gospel", but an application of Jesus' command in Matthew 28 to go into all the world and make disciples, "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. . . "

In Matthew 5, after telling his disciples they are the 'salt' and 'light' of the world, Jesus commands them to "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

The Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, in II Corinthians 10:4-5 wrote, ". . . the weapons of our warfare are. . . mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."

When those we elect to represent us depart from the course our Founders set, and ignore the 'eternal rules of order and right' revealed by God, their "errors", like those of Balaam, should be exposed and rebuked, as the Prophet Nathan did with King David, as Elijah did with Ahab, and as Jesus did with the Pharisees.  The first to do that, in accord with the Scriptures, should be those who have a prophetic calling on their lives, and the ones who should teach the Body of believers that, should be the pastors.

The role of the pastor as teacher, shepherd. . . and leader

Pastors, enlightened by the Scriptures, have a moral and biblical guidance responsibility to urge and enable their congregations to exercise their citizenship duties,  as to what is right and good (righteousness and justice, wisdom and folly). That responsibility is not 'politics' but part of their role as shepherds who are called to watch over their flock. Ignoring what is going on around them and neglecting to teach their people how to address those issues in civil government through the ballot box, is, at the very least, a failure to fulfill their calling.  Believers are citizens of heaven and citizens of earth with a responsibility to be His 'ambassadors' (II Corinthians 5:20) here and now, that His will would be done, 'on earth as it is in heaven.' 

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not just about 'Jesus Christ and Him Crucified' though that is central, but all that means in the lives of those whom He has set free (at liberty) to uphold His righteousness, rule, and reign on the earth, till He comes.

Our Father, which art in Heaven, Thou didst send Thine only begotten Son to die in our place and for our sin, to reconcile us to Your Self through faith, and that not of ourselves, lest in our sin we would boast that our salvation was our own doing.  It is not and was not.  Awaken us dear LORD to our responsibility as Your Ambassadors, Your Servants, to bring not only the message of salvation through Your Son, but all that that means, on earth, and in eternity.  May we not minimize the Gospel to suit ourselves, to protect ourselves in the fear of man and the desire for comfort in this life.  May we take comfort in Who You are, what You have already done, and that You have promised to be 'with us' through persecution and suffering, difficulties and hardships, to Your glory. May we not take for granted our privileges as a free people and fail to exercise that for which many have died to keep us free and Your Name exalted.  In Your Name we pray, Amen.

To our Visitors and New Friends 

Restore America has been calling Christians to awaken to their citizenship duty and voting responsibility for eleven years.  Given the increasing threat to the nation by the ungodly and the salt and light ambassadors we are called to be by our Saviour, our message is more important than ever. Please help us continue that effort. 

  "If the people fail to vote, a government will be developed which is not their government...  The whole system of American Government rests on the ballot box.  Unless citizens perform their duties there, such a system of government is doomed to failure."