Colossians 2:8-10, "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ, you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority."

Jeremiah 29:7, "But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare."

Think

There is a snake in the house. Now, before you raise your feet off the floor or run out of the room, this snake is not a living, breathing reptile. Yet, it's very dangerous! This slithering reptile is a worldview that starts with the belief that there is no God and then creates division leading to destruction. What is this snake? It is a dark serpent called Marxism.

Simply put, Marxism is a secular philosophy that views all of life as a power struggle between the oppressed and the oppressor. The oppressor is usually an aspect of traditional western society such as the family, capitalism, democracy, or Christianity. The oppressed is anyone who feels marginalized by these institutions, depending on the moment's cultural and political debates. The Marxist solution is revolution resulting in state control. Because Marxism is atheistic: the state is god. There is your snake!

As Christ-followers, we are to be politically engaged. The greatest tool we have been given is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Intolerance, oppression, and bigotry are sins found in all of us. God's ultimate and eternal solution to these evils is for every person to be set free from their sin and reconciled to the One in whose image we have all been made. Only on this foundation can a truly just society be built, where competing sides no longer struggle for power, and all are treated as valued individuals.

Act

Set aside some time each day to pray for our nation. Ask God to give wisdom from above to our nation's leaders. Also, pray for minds to be opened to see the light of God's salvation found in Jesus Christ.

Pray

Dear God, I know that our nation's leaders' hearts are like a stream of water directed by You. I ask that You give them Your wisdom that is peaceable, gentle, and full of compassion. Open the minds of our citizenry to the good news of Jesus Christ. Amen.