BEN F. VICK, JR.
The article below was written forty years ago, but it is still appropriate today. What brethren need to realize is what king Nebuchadnezzar learned the hard way. The vision that he had was of a tree whose height reached the heavens and the sight of it to the end of the earth. The leaves of this tree were fair with a great deal of fruit on it. The beasts of the field took refuge in the shadow of it while the birds lived in the boughs of it. But a watcher and holy one came down and cried aloud to hew down the tree, but leave the stump and let it be wet with the dew of heaven and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth. Let his heart be changed from a man’s heart to a beast’s heart until seven times pass over him. (Dan. 4:10-17). Daniel said, “This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.” (Dan. 4:17.) The pride of Nebuchadnezzar brought him down, but when he was restored after seven times, he praised, extolled, and honored the King of heaven, whose works are truth.
What is my point? Whether you like this year’s outcome of the election or not, God rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomsoever he will, and sets up over it the basest of men. God is in control. How does your zeal for the Lord compare to your zeal for your political party? Let us put first things first. Let us pray for kings and all who are in authority and be busy in the Lord’s kingdom.
PROUD OF HIS PARTY AFFILIATION
W. S. Cline
The heat and the enthusiasm of the political campaigns of 1984 bring to my memory an incident that occurred several years ago and suggest a lesson that needs to be learned by most of us.
A group of men, at a service station-sporting goods store, were heatedly discussing the good and bad points of several political candidates. One man was strong in his support of the republican candidate for President. In the deep south, twenty years ago, such a political position was not very popular; therefore, he was highly criticized and made fun of because of his support for the republican party. When nothing would stop the mouths of his critics, he finally said, “I don’t care what you say. I’m a Republican and proud of it.”
Well, why shouldn’t he be proud of it? He had weighed the evidence with sound mind and had decided to change his party affiliation. When some of his friends chided him for his act of “treason” to the Democratic Party, he simply let them know where he stood and with the firm announcement that he was a “Republican and proud of it,” he turned his back on the political discussion and went home.
And even now as I size up the situation, I see him coming from a mold that most of us were poured in. If we are Oiler fans, no matter the jokes that are told or what they say of us, we are Oiler fans, even if there is another team in Texas, whatever its name is. If we are Aggie fans, let them laugh and tell their jokes; we shall not be moved. And if we are Republicans, Democrats, or Independents we do not mind letting our feelings be known. As a matter of fact, we can get highly upset defending a position that we hold as valid, and we will endure the ridicule and scorn that goes with the position.
But religion? That is another matter. How many of us preach Christ as much as we preach politics? How many of us are as concerned about the church as we are concerned about our football team? And what about lost souls? There are brethren who get more upset over the loss of a pet than they do over the entire world that is lost in sin. There is something tragically wrong with a man’s religion when he gives more money, devotes more time, uses more talents, and is far more concerned about the things of this world than he is the kingdom of Christ.
You may be a Republican and proud of it. You may be a Democrat or an Independent and very proud of your party affiliation. I have no quarrel with you. But you are a Christian? Then be proud of that also. Live for Christ. Put the kingdom first. And as you become involved in the political campaigns this year, remember that the zeal you manifest for your favorite party or candidate should only be a candle compared to the bright light that should burn within you for the cause of Christ. Never be ashamed of your religion. Let the world know where you stand when it comes to matters of eternal value. The borders of the kingdom will never be broadened with any appreciable speed until its citizens, with a deep love for lost souls, go into all the world and unashamedly teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. May our hands be strengthened to that end.
—Firm Foundation. Vol. 101, No. 40, October 2, 1984.