ELECTION ‘2012: THE RESOLVE OF INTEGRITY

2012 NATIONAL ELECTION APOSTOLIC BRIEFING

by Dr. Earl D. Johnson

 

Pray for those who have the rule over you…

 

Of wisdom, it is written in Proverbs 8:14-16, “counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding, I have strength. By me, Kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, and even all the judges of the earth!”

 

Cast the care of the election on the Lord. Give His wisdom an opportunity to work. Yes, be responsible and cast your ballot, but do not fret yourself because of evildoers. This is not the time for Believers to become entangled with the cares of this world.

 

This is a time of testimony. We are to testify of the effectiveness of God reign in our lives. We are to testify of His gracious provision in the midst of negative decisions governing they economy of the world, (cosmos – world’s arrangement systems, and order). There must be a vigilant adherence to the knowledge that we are “in this world, but not of this world.”

 

The exercise of our civic responsibility is to be carried out with the same watchfulness as in other responsibilities we have as Believers. As our example, Jesus paid taxes. This act alone is monumental for Believers because it establishes precedence. Jesus provided the example for us that by participating in this system, it clarifies our maturity and due diligence to civil authority while we diligently maintain our heavenly connectivity and loyalties.

 

to Romans 15Wow, what an assignment! To pray for those who govern has a specific and direct order for the Believer. The intent of the Holy Spirit is to maintain in the Believer a sense of loyalty to Kingdom and not political allegiances based on parties, causes, and events.

 

As citizens of the Kingdom of God, we are expected to participate in the political process. However, we are not to get preoccupied with the futility of systems, parties, and lies. For clarity on the actual condition of our age, read 2 Timothy 3 in its entirety from Amplified Bible.

 

While in Jamaica, I sat with an Elder from Barbados. As we talked about the campaign in America and other issues of importance, I was keenly aware of his astuteness on American affairs. He was not only versed, but demonstrated knowledge about how we arrived at the point where we are today. What point are we?

 

We are in the generation that does not know Jehovah. We are in the biblical time period where a form of godliness, but denial of the truth is inherent. We are in the age of apostasy. We are in the period of a lack of knowledge about the former works of God. We are lost in ourselves. We are seekers of the prosperity who blindly neglect posterity.

 

This election is not about the two candidates, it about which God America will serve. The God of the Amorites or the God of Israel? The God who parted the Red Sea or the god who invented new age philosophy and gnostic behavior in our nation?

 

Election ’12 in November is for this nation as repentance and substantive change is important to the Body of Christ. I will not tell you what to say to your congregation. I respect you as men and women of God. However, I would like to offer some suggstions that might be helpful in what NOT to say your congregation.

 

These four points need to find their way into the ears and hearts of your people:

• DO NOT WORRY – When I pastored, a candidate that I had wanted to win lost the election. It set me back for a minute. The Holy Spirit spoke to me one day and said “Earl, there was NO election in Heaven, God is still on the throne!” Do not lose hope regardless of the outcome
• PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCESS – Encourage voter participation, but remind them that their citizenship is in Heaven and not in the earth. They are officially registered as Saints of the Most High, Children of the Kingdom, and Heirs of the Promises. Vote, but avoid depression if your candidate did not win.
• PRAY – The central most important activity during this election is PRAYER. Encourage individual and corporate prayer for the nation, cities, candidates, and people everywhere voting and participating in this crucial decision
• EDUCATE THEMSELVES ON ISSUES/CANDIDATES – an informed individual is an effective aid to any process. Remember, “in all thy getting, get an understanding.”

 It is vital that the Body of Christ emerge from Election Day with a resolved heart. RESOLVE = make decision, solve difficulty, settle argument, dispel doubts, express joint opinion. Resolution, decision, steadfastness, determination, tenacity, firmness, and resolution

 

SUBMITTED BY:

APOSTLE EARL D JOHNSON

AND THE ATP APOSTOLIC TEAM