Something important I think the board needs to hear to help keep this war in perspective:
T total depravity: we are inherently sinful
U unconditional atonement: we need to pay nothing for forgiveness (indeed we cannot)
L limited atonement: not all are saved
I irresistible grace: once called, your eyes will be open, you won’t be able to shut them anymore
P perseverance of the saints: we will face difficulties in this world, since our enemies consist of our own selves, other sinners and the devil himself.
I say this because fixing our government (even permanently) does not solve the God sized hole in our hearts, and there’s no good within ourselves apart from God. This is important to remember as we continue the battle, to know none of us earned salvation or righteousness so we ought to show grace for those not yet awake.
And that, my friends, is true strength.
Yes, so imagine someone was exactly opposite of you, constantly slapping you in the face by their lifestyle choices and remarks. This goes on for decades, you would be pissed and hate them likely. You’d find a way to get away and denounce their personhood at least in your heart of hearts.
We are the same to God. He made us in his own image, yet daily we violate his precepts, we dishonor him, and we don’t even acknowledge our wrongdoing. This rightfully should incur God’s wrath. He instead gave his son for our salvation, and commands us to forgive much, for we have been forgiven much.
Imagine looking to a high mountain or into a deep valley, thinking of the heights as morality. People who have lived an honorable life up high and those degenerate people at the bottom. God views us from the distance of the sun, none of us obtain that level of righteousness, we all fall short, so if God can save a righteous man, then saving the sinner at the bottom is no more difficult for him. It’s not much further than the distance he already traveled. So therefore, go and do likewise.
That being said, God forgives sins, but does not promote them, he calls us to a new way of life, we ought to do that when we forgive others, we’re not commanded to be door mats.
Earthly justice needs to be done for those deeds. Genesis 3 demands accountability. But remember Genesis 1, we are also created in God’s image. That doesn’t neglect violating the law. Hence the need for justice.