Not all, but for the majority of Christians it seems to me that the outcome of the 2008 General Election has been disconcerting and troubling. Why? Because the President-elect has made it very clear that he supports some things – such as partial birth abortion, same sex marriages, etc – which are clearly condemned by the Holy Scriptures. Then, just how should a Christian respond to the outcome of the election? Certainly regardless whether your candidate won or lost we as Christians must fulfill the biblical admonition to “pray for those in authority” (1 Tim. 2:2). I testify that I have already begun to do so and would urge all Christians who read this to do likewise.
But even after Christians pray for “all those in authority” we find our nation and ourselves going through very tough times, spiritually, morally, and economically. Being literally surrounded by people who have lost their jobs or houses and witnessing a tidal wave of opposition to Christianity and a perpetual effort to erase the name of God from public life, can we walk in victory? Can we still praise God from whom all blessings flow? Can we still be faithful to pray, to internalize the Word of God weekly, to have a meaningful time with God daily, to attend our church faithfully, pay our tithes weekly, win the lost and stay on the narrow road leading from earth to heaven?
Does the Bible shed any light on such questions? Yes, Yes, Yes. Permit me to illustrate. When the Apostle Peter wrote his first epistle (AD 65), times could not have been more troubling for the people of God. The notorious Nero, the great murderer of Christians, who beheaded Paul, sat upon the throne of the Roman Empire. No doubt Peter despaired of his own life and probably was executed by Nero a short time later. Suicides were at an all time high. But how did Peter respond? He responded with a doxology of praise and rejoicing over the priceless blessings of God – now and for all eternity to His heavenly Father. He began his first epistle with these words, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has given us a new birth into a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,” (1 Peter 1:3-6)
Thus Peter is praising God the Father for what I would call the two Big Gifts:
- The Gift of the “New Birth in the present life.” He shouts out, “Praise to the Father who has given me a new birth into a living hope by the resurrection from the dead.” Have you been born again? Then you have been given the greatest gift in time and eternity; for not only do you know your sins are forgiven, but you know you have eternal life abiding in you – life that can never die, never be taken away, not even by death.
- Peter also praised God for the Gift of the New Jerusalem in the life after death. He shouts out “Praise be to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercies has given us a new birth into a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus from the dead to an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for us who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:4-5) Do you know you are going to heaven? Then you have been given the greatest assurance, the most glorious possession possible for all eternity. And the text says that not only is heaven reserved for us and no one can steal it, but we ourselves will be kept, not by our own power, but by the power of God. So does it not matter how tough the journey, or how long it takes, we know we will end up home, absolutely, one day.
Now what are the results of knowing we have the 2 Big Gifts?
- The gift of the New Birth – in this life.
- The glory of the New Jerusalem – in the world to come.
The Apostle Peter answers in verse 6, “For this ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you all are in heaviness through manifold testings.” No matter the circumstances surrounding us, we can rejoice with exceeding great joy even when we may be suffering great trials. Listen carefully to the instructions of Peter, “For the new birth and hope of heaven, you will greatly rejoice.” At the same time you may be going through deep waters for a little while, if need be. Notice these words, “if need be.” These words mean that there are times that we need to go through serious testing, to test the genuiness of our faith, and that God Himself knows the testings we need and and He puts us through them for our good. These testings will last no longer than it takes to change your life as God requires. What do we learn through testings?
- Many learn obedience. Jesus, though God’s Son, learned obedience through the things He suffered – Hebrew 5:8. David confessed that he went astray until he suffered – (Psalm 119:67) and even confessed in Psalm 119:71 that it was good that he suffered so he would learn God’s Word.
- Some learn patience.
- Others learn to love and to search the Scriptures and to really pray
- Others lose their pride as Paul – 2 Cor. 12:9ff.
Are you experiencing some trials or great difficulties in your life – in your marriage, on your job, with your children, in paying your bills, your health? Are you discouraged over the outcome of the election? Of course, all of us are experiencing some kind of trouble, for there are only three classes of people:
- Those in trouble
- Those just out of trouble
- and those about to get in trouble
Still, if you are truly a child of God, you ought to praise the Lord for the 2 “G’s”:
- The gift of the new birth
- The glory of the New Jerusalem
And you can even thank God for your troubles, for He has sent them or permitted them because you need them in order to become what God wants you to be (Romans 5:2-5; James 1:2 ff. And take comfort in the fact that God will limit your troubles. If you will cooperate with him, your trials will not be long. If you rebel, He may keep you in the furnace for a long time.
When God permits His children to go through the furnace, He keeps His eye on the clock and His hand on the thermostat. If we rebel He may have to reset the clock; but if we submit He will not permit us to suffer one minute too long. The important thing is that we learn the lesson He wants to teach us and that we bring glory to Him alone.