I posted this on my facebook page on Friday and thought you might be interested in the exchange that took place afterward. Many people are under the belief that they cannot make a difference. I tell you that we can. Our slogan is our commitment and we are doing it. We are Praying, Acting and Making a Difference and so can you.

I appeared as a panellist and spoke on the issue of Christians in government. The interview involved University of Calgary Nature of Religion Professor Irving Hexham, the author of ‘The Armageddon Factor’ Marci McDonald and myself, Jim Blake National Chairman of Concerned Christians Canada. You can view the interview h...ere: http://www.concernedchristians.ca/videos/77-government/184-the-armageddon-factor

Jim Blake Jesus - Matthew 5:13-16 - "¹³You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. ¹⁴"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a ... See morebowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

It's true that we are not to see our salvation through politics or politicians, but the political scene including law making has been damaged badly because Christians have taken the attitude that they cannot make a difference with politics, and have therefor "left the building". It is simply not true. I can attest to it myself. There are Christians influencing politics across our nation, but not enough.

You don't have to be elected to make a difference, you don't have to go into politics full time to make a difference, but you need to speak into the political realm in some way or another.

Here are just some ways you can influence politics:

• Letter writing to politicians on issues important to you (believe me they read the letters if you are polite and passionate and your ideas are well founded and backed up by facts)
• Letters to the Editor - again be polite and passionate and make sure your ideas are well founded and backed up by facts
• Getting involved with political parties and attend policy votes at general membership meetings. These usually happen once or twice a year. Take the time to get involved believe me the enemy's camp is
• Sign petitions on issues important to you
• Attend peaceful protests and rallies (numbers matter at these events - the more that attend the more the media and politicians see that people are concerned, no matter how the media reports)
• Speak to people through social networks on social issues from a Biblical perspective.
• Join organizations such as Concerned Christians Canada (http://www.concernedchristians.ca/) to get involved in political campaigns and awareness campaigns. There are many ways to help with these campaigns and not all ways are through public speaking there are many roles that merely support the initiative (office workers, organizers, financial advising, building signs and other things). Call and ask how you can help. 403-690-4636

Both Jesus and the apostles spoke into the political realm and they are our example. Jesus said we must not lose our saltiness, but that we are to flavor the earth.

It's about engaging all of your spheres of influence with the image and words of Christ and the Bible. When we do that we can effect consistent and dramatic change through the course of our lives.

In Eph 6:10-14 it states - "¹⁰Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. ¹¹Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹²For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[c] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

¹⁴Stand therefore"

We are to be strong and powerful in Christ, we are to walk in this world with the armor of God, we are to fight the principalities and powers and rulers of this dark age. Our weapons of warfare are not mild, they are spiritual and have natural impact, yes one weapon (our first weapon) is prayer, but that equips and prepares and empowers for battle, it does not replace the battle in the natural.

There is a war for souls being waged in all realms. Your primary call may not be politics, but as a citizen of a nation, and if you are of the royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9 - But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light), you are a dignitary of the King and a spiritual leader proclaiming the word of God with power over the nation and over your local spheres of influence.

Do not be deceived, the enemy wants you to believe you are powerless. You are not. He wants to minimize your impact and keep you tied up in a tiny little corner so that if He can't destroy you, at least he can shut you up and shut you down.

Don't let Him. We are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus Romans 8:37 - "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."

We are to be bold and courageous and we are to stand until the end. Let us never allow Satan and his minions to confine our realm of influence to one or two areas, but to be faithful watchmen, scanning the horizon for opportunities to reclaim ground for the Kingdom.

Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might!