Pastor’s Table Blog

What Has Captured Your Attention?

Election season is looming. As we enter fall of 2024, the social media apps on our phones, computers and televisions capture our attention with the latest news. “This is the most important election ever!” Screams a shrill voice on every podcast! “We may not have a country left in November!”

Let’s admit the unprecedented nature of this election cycle. A former president and current nominee nearly dies from a rifle shot to the head. Save for a last second move, Donald Trump’s end could have been gory, graphic and captured in high definition. Additionally, the sitting president drops out months before the election. This has never happened before. In our 24-hour news cycle, we are waiting for the next bombshell to drop.

This election season is, simultaneously, exciting and frightening. Like the pull of a magnet, every four years it captures our attention.

The Ease of Drifting

Then, there are the political issues themselves. It is true that elections have consequences. Christian Ethicist Andrew Walker defines politics this way:

“Politics is the practice of organizing and regulating our lives in society under God-ordained legal authority for the sake of justice.”[1]

In other words, politics is divisive because other people can now regulate my life based on a certain set of principles. Depending on the election results, we may or may not agree with those governing principles.

Consider the issues in this election cycle. Human dignity, including abortion, is on the ballot in several states. The consequences of those votes could set back the pro-life cause. Crisis pregnancy centers sit in the crosshairs of state attorney generals. Additionally, issues of gender and sexuality, which have influenced the adjacent topics of education and parental rights, are constant fodder for debate. Free speech is under fire globally, raising concerns of those limits appearing in the United States.

These are significant, moral issues. The moral drift in society and the church at large disturbs many Christians. It is worth asking, why do we drift? For one thing, there is an ease of “going with the cultural flow.” There is a cost for standing on the “wrong side of history.” Yet, this may be required of us in the future. Persecution could be on our doorstep as we hold the line on core, biblical issues.

The writer of Hebrews knew this reality well. Living during a season of social ostracism for Christians, the writer exhorted believers with these words:

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it (Hebrews 2:1, ESV)

This is a first step for Christians during election season. “Pay attention!” To what? “What you have heard.” What have we heard? The entirety of the Biblical message. Here we find an argument for a holistic Biblical worldview in all of life. What are the consequences of not paying attention—of not knowing our Bible? We will “drift away.” The currents will move us. Our whole mindset is vulnerable to co-opting by the message of the day.

Put another way: What captures our attention determines our direction.

This election season, there are important issues to debate. The outcome will be consequential. Nevertheless, Jesus will still be on his throne. With that in mind, the writer of Hebrews offers three more truths to aide us during these turbulent times.

A Reliable Message

A robust biblical worldview should inform how we engage the world. We read this:

For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, (Hebrews 2:2, ESV)

We have a reliable message. Within the Scriptures, we find a message that is trustworthy, comprehensive and practical. The application requires us to study the Bible, illuminated by the Holy Spirit and apply it to our lives. All theology is practical theology. Our view of God will determine how we live our life. Our understanding of the Scriptures impacts our moral positions; our views of right and wrong. If we oppose God—judgment will come. That is a hard message for modern ears.

While the Bible’s teachings will not always be popular, they are reliable and true.

A Great Salvation

The teachings in Scripture are crucial because they reveal God’s plan of salvation. The writer asks,

How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? (Hebrews 2:3a, ESV)

If we have searched the Scriptures and declared Jesus to be Lord, we are part of God’s family. Salvation is a gift demanding attention. God did not save us just to save us; he saved us to make a difference in this world by furthering his kingdom. It is worth asking this election season, how am I furthering God’s kingdom? Ask it before your post. Ask it before you enter a debate. Ask it when a challenge arises and you must take a stand.

Do not neglect your salvation because silence seems easier. Why?

A Call to Attest

We are called to “attest” to what God has and will do. The writer finishes,

And it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. (Hebrews 2:3-4, ESV)

To attest means to affirm something as correct and true. This applies to salvation, but also to all Biblical truth. Where that applies to matters of morality and public theology, we are called to attest to what God says is true. That will not be without consequence at times. It may place us opposite the majority opinion, or even bring persecution. It may not feel good.

However, we must do the right thing … and trust God to bear witness.

Friends, we live in a peculiar moment in American life. As our world moves in a Post Christian direction, we will find ourselves in a Hebrews 2 scenario. My exhortation today is this: do not flinch. The message is true, our salvation is great, and because of that, we must speak a word of attestation.

This is God’s world. In the end, he will make all things new. Let him capture your attention, lest you drift away.

_______________________________________________________________________

[1] Walker, Andrew. The Nations Belong to God. Pg. 14.