For God’s Glory and Our Mission

Matt Keller — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 20:14:21 +0000

There is no such thing as an inconsequential presidency. Therefore, every disciple of Jesus must commit to faithfully follow the biblical command to pray for our leaders.

Today, America has a new president. Joseph R. Biden now bears the unspeakable burden of leading the United States. Each day, President Biden will make numerous decisions that will touch the lives of millions of Americans. Additionally, many of President Biden’s policies will undoubtedly affect our nation for years to come. There is no such thing as an inconsequential presidency. Therefore, every disciple of Jesus must commit to faithfully follow the biblical command to pray for our leaders. Paul, who ministered while Nero was in power, wrote,

1 Timothy 2:1–4

¹ First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, ² for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. ³ This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴ who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

The biblical directive is not that we pray only for the leaders who represent our political opinions and preferences. We are commanded to pray for our leaders—all of our leaders—so that “we may lead a peaceful and quiet life.” Paul said “this is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior.” Do not miss the fact that Paul tied this command to the highest aim of every belier which is to honor God and to live in such a way that people might be saved through our witness. In light of Scripture, I will faithfully pray for President Biden, his family, and all who serve in his administration.

I will thank God for His sovereign choice and continually recognize that God alone seats national leaders. (Dan. 2:21)

I will pray for protection for President Biden and his family.

I will pray for President Biden to lead with wisdom, considering the needs and hopes of every American.

I will pray for President Biden to be humble before God. (Dan. 4:34-37)

I will pray that President Biden will not succeed in passing laws that oppose God’s moral will and created order.

I will pray for President Biden to repent for any opinion, position and policy that opposes God’s moral will and created order.

I will pray for President Biden to be an instrument for good and to tirelessly work for justice for every American. (Rom. 13:3-4)

I will pray for President Biden to protect religious liberty so the gospel can continue to be freely shared in our nation.

I will pray for President Biden to succeed in everything he does that is righteous and pleasing to the Lord.

Not only will I pray for our new president, but I will also pray for myself.

I will pray for God to continually remind me that my hope is not in any politician or political party. Instead, my hope resides fully in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

I will pray that I will never overlook the fact that I am, first and foremost, a child of God and a citizen of His Kingdom.

I will pray that I will faithfully love and serve all—regardless of political preferences and positions.

I will pray that I will boldly stand on the unchanging truth of God’s word.

I will pray that I will not compromise any conviction that is rooted in Scripture, regardless of the cost.

Today is a historic day for the United States of America—it is certainly a special day for President Biden, his family, and for the millions of people who support him. Today is also a time for every believer to commit to pray for our new president, for our nation, and for ourselves. Pray with me that God will be glorified and that many will hear the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus, alone.

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The Craziness Around Us

Matt Keller — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 02:19:29 +0000

Is anyone tired of politics, and politicians yet? This whole election cycle is descending into an unimaginable pit of chaos, vitriol, and violence. However, the things we are witnessing aren’t really that surprising because they are simply the presenting symptoms of an underlying disease we’ve known, and preached about for many years.

Proverbs 29:18 tells us “Where there is no vision, the people perish”. This Proverb is often interpreted to mean that believers need to have a vision for discipleship, church planting, or some other ministry program, and if we have no such vision the people around us are going to die and spend eternity in hell. However, that particular Proverb has a much deeper, and I believe, a greater meaning. The vision referred to is not, as Andy Stanley writes in his excellent book, Visioneering: “a clear mental picture of what could be, fueled by the conviction that it should be.” Instead, the vision spoken of is a “supernatural word of revelation from God”. When the Proverb was written, the author was referring to God’s Word as given, and then reveled to the people by the prophets. Today we would refer to this vision as God’s Word, or the Scriptures (2 Peter 1:19-21). Therefore, the author was referring to the absence of God’s Word in a given society.

The second half of the Proverb reveals the effect of an absence of God’s Word, “the people perish”. The Hebrew word yippāraʿ, which is translated “perish”, does not mean to die or be killed, nor does it mean to disappear or be destroyed. The word actually means to cast off all restraint, or to be out of control. It is a word that depicts spiritual, moral, and political anarchy. When these two words are put together, the original meaning of the Proverb becomes very clear: where there is an absence of God’s revealed Word the people will cast off all restraints, and live as though there is no authority to govern their lives. Brothers, are we not seeing the truth of this revealed all around us?

When God’s Word is faithfully communicated by God’s people, it brings order and civility to churches, to schools, to communities, and to government. The problem is, our culture has turned from God’s Word, and chaos has filled the vacuum. The Ten Commandments have been removed from public view, and schools no longer allow God’s Word to have a place in the classroom. Those who aspire to political office see God’s Word as nothing more than a prop to be used in order to secure the Evangelical vote, while churches promote God’s Word as a “how to” manual, instead of faithfully preaching the truth of the gospel to transform lives. The disease is the absence of God’s Word, the symptom is the chaos we see on every evening newscast, and the cure is for God’s people to boldly communicate the Word, faithfully, accurately, and powerfully. The craziness around us shouldn’t surprise us, but it should motivate us to press on, because the world needs the Word.

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Politics Archives - Matt Keller

For God’s Glory and Our Mission

The Craziness Around Us