Evil is rising, it's shamelessly potent and obviously advancing. It's swallowing people, systems and nations whole. Simultaneously there is a call for the people of God to wake up and play their role as salt and light in a decaying dark world, ambassadors of the Kingdom of God who function as watchmen on the walls of our nations.
I'm talking about a generation of Nazarites, consecrated to God; who are called to give themselves in pursuit of personal holiness and who fight for righteousness on a national level. When an evil law is about to be passed, they can't sit still and stay silent. These watchmen have a keen sense of the deadliness and filthiness of sin and sink their sceptres into the Earth as representatives of the Kingdom of God and boldly declare "Not on my watch!"
I want to empower those zealous for the honour of the Lord on a national level with principles for spirit filled success in the office of the advocate. Having stood, by God's grace, for seven years, I've learnt some keys worth sharing. If you are a Christian advocate for any cause, don't settle for normal textbook advocacy, we were meant for so much more.
1. Love the Lord passionately.
The most central principle for the life of the believer is that we love Him! That's why we do what we do! Our allegiance is personal and is first and foremost to Him. A passionate love for God, where we are preoccupied with beholding His beauty and delighting in His person is His heart for every believer and especially those who speak nationally on His behalf. Intimacy with the Lord lays the foundation for Christian action in the world. It is the fire that blazes in our hearts, which brings that light that we shine in the darkness.
2. Commit to personal holiness.
While others fall hypnotized and deceived by the pleasures of sin, this generation knows they cannot afford it. Since our battle is against demons in high national and international places, and our only hope is the Spirit of the Lord, it makes sense that we must pursue personal purity as a matter of life and death. The Lord wants to use soldiers to whom He will be pleased to give victory!
Our prime motivation is to honour the Lord and stand for Him. How can we then walk in sin? The call to stand on a national level for righteousness cannot be separated from the personal call to holiness. We must fight passionately for our purity as we stand firmly declaring the heart of God for the nation.
We must be strategic and deliberate in setting boundaries to defend our hearts from the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. And we must be painfully conscious that the enemy goes around like a roaring lion trying to devour God's people, having a bloodthirsty appetite for God's mighty men.
3. Pursue the Lord in fasting and prayer, listening to Him.
Intercession is a key component to Christian advocacy. Time spent with the Lord in the secret place of prayer (personally and organizationally), listening to the Lord and in study of His Word is the greatest deterrent from evil, the greatest fuel for action and the greatest clarifier for direction. Be clear in your mind, the only thing that will ever really count in this war is that which comes by and is performed by the Spirit of God.
Jesus emphatically declared in John chapter 15, verse 5, "Apart from me you can do nothing." May our actions show that we want to accomplish great things for God! The imperative to operate in the place of communion with God, of seeking and inquiring of the Lord cannot be overstated.
I dare you to pray an hour per day and fast once a week for your own walk, your organization and for your nation. Through prayer and fasting the unhindered power of God is released into the natural world. Pour out your Spirit Lord! Lord help us to pursue you in the place of prayer and to be steadfast in commitment in fasting and listening to you!
4. Love those you lead!
For a number of years I was so goal oriented, so fixed on opposing the enemy I didn't care for those under my leadership. Take the time to pour into your team spiritually. Care for their emotions and their extra-organizational wellbeing. Care about their families and their wholistic development.
Celebrate victories and reward them well. Carefully reprimand and learn from defeats. Build your organizational culture in such a way that pleases the Lord; and remember your own family, your first ministry.
5. Love the truth!
The Bible is the ultimate standard of truth. Secularism seeks to distort the Word of God and in doing so declares evil as being good. Don't be deceived! The sexually immoral, idolaters, homosexuals (and members of the LGBTIIMZ community), idolaters, drunkards, liars, the greedy or scammers won't go to heaven unless they repent. (1 Corinthians chapters 6, verses 9 and 11)
Don't let anyone trick you with clever arguments. They claim to accept evil on the basis of love, giving no attention to the definition of love; which cannot rejoice in evil but rejoices in the truth! (1 Corinthians chapter 13, verse 6) We rejoice that the judgements of the Lord are righteous and just! (Psalm chapter 19, verse 9, Psalm chapter 48, verse 11) Hold firmly to the truth, your Word oh Lord is truth. Do not fail to love the truth! (2 Thessalonians chapter 2, verse 9)
6. Take bold and prophetic action!
Fear has no place for those who are sons of God. Our goal must be to operate in the power of the Holy Spirit. You have a big presentation and the media will be attending? Spend some time with your team praying in the night. When you step out, you want to do it understanding that you are backed by the Lord of Hosts and His heavenly army!
We do not shrink back, but step out onto the water in faith expecting angelic hosts to go before us and accomplish the will of the Father and the advancement of His Kingdom for the glory and honour of His Great Name! The great Dr. Donovan Thomas taught me many times, "One plus God equals majority." (Psalm chapter 18, verse 29)
I pray these thoughts empower and encourage you to serve the Kingdom of God in your generation well!