Primary Declarations

We recently had our primary elections in my state. It hadn’t occurred to me before I entered the polling location that it was time to declare my party affiliation again. As of late I am not entirely sold on any party. I wouldn’t bother at all if not for the fact that I prefer to have a say in who I will have to choose from in the general election. Therefore, I (begrudgingly) aligned with the party which I thought most represented my beliefs. To be sure, no one would catch me jumping up and down in excitement over my ‘declaration.’

This experience prompted me to consider whether I would be as hesitant to ‘declare’ my affiliation regarding my faith as I had been when questioned by the poll worker. It led me to consider what my faith ‘party’ association would be. With what party could I align myself? Would it be the party of Love and Compassion, Righteousness and Justice, Wisdom and Stewardship, or Forgiveness and Mercy?

There are merits in each of them. Therefore, I believe it would be impossible for me to declare just one. Independently, not one of them is adequate. Much like it is in the political arena, concentration on one agenda while minimizing the others skews the overall goals and causes division.

After thoughtful consideration about my fabricated faith-party, I realize there is only one I could declare without reservation. It is a party balanced with the perfect blend of love and justice. Righteousness would be the goal of  ‘the base.’ Inherent in this party would be a built-in safeguard against corruption. No more weight would be given to one certain agenda than to the others. No issue in the platform would take priority at the expense of the others…and there would be no scandalous distractions.

What is this imaginary faith ‘party’ I can declare as my own without any qualms or misgivings? One with which I would have no reservations being associated? — It is the ‘Submission Party’ (Uh-oh, I can envision the uncomfortable squirming already.) Yes, the party of submission. The party platform would be very simple – submission to God, His commands and His will. God determines the platform, not the members, thus eliminating the danger of corruption and the risk of opinions, ideas, feelings, and current worldly trends setting the agenda.

With the Holy Spirit as chairman, leading the party and keeping all priorities in order, it will always remain in perfect balance.

James 4:7 (NLT) So submit yourselves to the one true God and fight against the devil and his schemes. If you do, he will run away in failure.

Yes, I will declare without reservation you can mark me a member:

(X) Submission Party

Proverbs 3:5-7 The Voice (VOICE)

5 Place your trust in the Eternal; rely on Him completely;

   never depend upon your own ideas and inventions.

6 Give Him the credit for everything you accomplish,

    and He will smooth out and straighten the road that lies ahead.

7 And don’t think you can decide on your own what is right and what is wrong.

    Respect the Eternal; turn and run from evil.