FACE TO FACE
Four Reminders for Effective Gospel Witness in an Election Year Curt Miller, missions pastor In Galatians 6:9, the Apostle Paul offers a timely and encouraging reminder, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” I wrote this article to encourage the weary and beleaguered believer. Consider taking these four steps as you continue your journey through the challenges and changes of these interesting days (and that’s putting it mildly).
freely, to peacefully assemble and to “petition the government for a redress of grievances.” Contrast those freedoms with the diminished or complete lack of freedom experienced by many Christians and non-Christians around the world.
REMINDER ONE: Remember Your Identity in Christ
• Mexico, known for its deadly drug cartels, follows Colombia as the number two most corrupt country in the 2020 ranking.
People identify themselves in a variety of ways. • Relationally as mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, sons, daughters, aunts or uncles. • Politically as republicans, democrats, independents, libertarians, constitutionalists. • Vocationally as bus drivers, schoolteachers, coaches, doctors, business owners, etc. Some use other identity markers to describe their ethnicity, nationality, fitness level, social status and academic level, to name a few. Those descriptions may be helpful, but for the follower of Jesus Christ, they are not ultimate. As disciples of Jesus, each of us is a new creation in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17) to be conformed into his image (Romans 8:29), and we must do the hard work of actively submitting all to Jesus. This submission includes viewing your identity as a disciple of Jesus to be more significant than any other identity factor. As you do this, your confidence in Jesus will grow, no matter how your circumstances change. REMINDER TWO: Remember the Truth of God's Word Continue to spend time daily reading the Word and in prayer. Practically, consider making note cards to remind yourself of truth. These cards should deal with the specific season you’re in or the temptations you experience. For instance, see page 9-10 for card examples. REMINDER THREE: Remember Freedoms Granted by Government Governments of some countries grant more religious and political freedoms than others. American citizens have been granted constitutional rights to practice their faith, to speak
8
Consider the following: • Colombia, which sees an estimated $14 billion a year in corruption-related costs, experienced a wave of antigovernment protests starting at the end of November.
• Bolivia's interim government announced in January that it will investigate nearly 600 former officials who worked under Evo Morales, who resigned from his presidency in November. • Russia, which has been accused of election meddling and Olympic doping, joins the top 10 list this year after placing No. 12 in 2019. • According to the Pew Research Foundation, Eritrea, Maldives and Mauritania are the top three countries with the most restrictive laws and policies toward religious freedom. • According to the ERITREA 2018 INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM REPORT... Since 2004, Eritrea has been designated a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 for having engaged in or tolerated particularly severe violations of religious freedom. Yes, there are challenges and tensions in the U.S. as well. They bring sleepless nights to many of us. Nevertheless, as you remember your freedoms, remember there is a spectrum of chaos. Consider these two headlines from the past three months: • Massive Beirut blast kills more than 70, injures thousands • Fires Gut Europe’s Largest Migrant Camp on the Greek Island of Lesbos Citizens of countries whose governments grant extensive religious and political freedom have a significant advocacy role to play for citizens of countries with few to no similar freedoms. Do not forget your suffering brother and sister in Christ.
