Christians must not major on the minor. We must not become more focused on the affairs of this world than we are on the affairs of the Kingdom.
Think about our 2022 mid-term elections. According to OpenSecrets, over 9 billion dollars were spent on 2022 federal elections! I find that absolutely mind boggling– especially when you consider how little we the people will get in return.
We really get worked up about our politics in America. It dominates our national news. The bitter hatred existing between our two political parties, however, promises more drama in the coming year than anything you can watch on TV.
Shameful activities such as a mob storming the Capital in hopes of overturning the will of the people; and assassinating the character of those whom you politically disagree with, underscore how consumed we have become by politics. Sometimes, death threats are made against a politician just because he chooses to break ranks with his party on a particular issue. If you didn’t know any better, you would think politics is the most important thing in our world.
Of course, politics is important. But it pales in comparison to the Lord’s work. Christians must not become sidetracked. They must be careful to stay focused on the real deal. “We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen” (2 Cor. 4:18a, KJV). Why? “The things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal (v. 18b).
Making the Invisible Things the Real Deal
Unbelievers may find it strange that we Christians pray long durations of time to this God we can’t see. Or that we repent before Him when we feel we have displeased Him. And that we go to the house of God regularly to praise and worship this invisible God.
But according to the verse above, these unseen things are the real deal. They are the eternal things. Let us stay focused on these. The things around us that we can see are but temporal. They will all pass away in due season. How futile it is to give excessive attention to these things.
An important thing to remember is that the temporal things of this world can yield only temporal results. Only the eternal things can bring about lasting change. If we want to make lasting change in our world, we must stay focused on the invisible and, hence, eternal things such as the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, and the Kingdom of God.
Local churches must stay focused on the real deal. We were not called to entertain those who come to the house of God. The church is not a social club. God has not called us to appease this world to fit in. Churches resorting to these worldly means toward ministry may fill the pews. But it is only through the invisible things of God that we can impact lives for an eternity.
Copyright © 2022 by Frank King. All rights reserved.