Draining the swamp

“What about the change? What about the difference? What about the grace? What about forgiveness? What about a life that’s showing I’m undergoing the change? ~ S.C. Chapman

Politicians and political parties from both sides of the aisle are well known for their sound bites. But with the proliferation of electronic media like the internet, YouTube, and cable news networks oft times these sound bites come back to haunt them. News outlets make hay out of past statements or their past voting record to the delight of their opponents. The recent sound bite that has been circulating has been the promise to “drain the swamp” of unethical practices and politicians and change the tone in Washington. Cal Thomas states very succinctly; “Not only has the swamp not been drained, Democrats have begun treating it as a hot tub. The party is a long way from achieving anything close to ethical purity. But then, so are Republicans. To most people it doesn't seem to matter who is in the majority. The results are the same.” Sadly I agree with Thomas and I have little faith in either party’s ability to achieve true or lasting change.

But are we any different in our life in Christ? Are we striving for true and lasting change in our day to day lives? We talk about how the “Gospel changes everything” or how that “accepting Christ as our personal Savior” has changed us, but what does that mean in real terms? What are we doing to drain the swamp so to speak in our daily Christian existence?

As I look back on my own Christian experience I can clearly see a point in time when I came to the realization that there was a problem; that problem was that I wanted to be the king of my life and reject the authority of God. In “religious speak” we call it sin but ultimately the key issue is one of rebellion. We all reject the supreme ruler—God—by trying to run life our own way and independent of Him and any sin no matter how great or small is an act of rebellion against God’s authority. If my life was a Frank Sinatra song it could have either been “My Way” or “I’ve got the World on a String.” Old Blue Eyes sings; “Life a wonderful thing as long as I hold the string, I’d be a silly so-and-so if I should ever let go.” That epitomizes our view of God; many times before we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and even sometimes afterword. Sometimes we want to just add Jesus but still keep our self rule. But in John 3:36 we see that it is both belief and obedience that is required; “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

We just don’t “add Jesus” to our lives and then expect it to be business as usual. Throughout the Gospel Jesus reminds us that we need to “count the cost” and submit to His authority. One of the key requirements to a new life is repentance from our rebellion to God’s rule. The Greek word for repentance is “metanoia” and is talking about a change of mind, a change of action, a noticeable shift in the trajectory of our lives. It is not just a “profession of faith” but a change of allegiance; a turning from sin or rebellion. It is not turning to another idol e.g. Jesus is just our friend, our buddy, our personal savior but also Jesus is our Lord or the ultimate authority in our lives. It is interesting to note that in the Book of Acts Jesus is referred to as our “Lord” 92 times and our Savior only twice. He is our Savior but He is Lord as well.

The Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 2:17 states; “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Paul is talking about draining our swamp in this passage. John MacArthur states that; “this describes something that is created at a qualitatively new level of excellence.” Without a doubt this is started at the moment we accept Jesus Christ. But Paul goes on in this verse to say that old things have passed away. MacArthur states; “after a person is regenerate, old value systems, priorities, beliefs, loves, and plans are gone. Evil and sin are still present, but the believer sees them in a new perspective and they no longer control him.” The new that has come; “indicates that this newness is a continuing condition of fact. The believer’s new spiritual perception of everything is a constant reality for him, and he now lives for eternity, not temporal things.” Putting it in another way; knowledge from a worldly point of view has given way to knowledge in light of the Cross.

Draining the swamp for someone that has accepted Jesus Christ means everything in our life has to come under the jurisdiction or authority of the supreme ruler of the universe and our lives. True belief involves true obedience in all areas and aspects of our life. The Gospel is easy to understand and it does not require us to clean ourselves up before coming to Christ. But once we have acknowledged the depth of our own need and submitted to the authority of Christ the “clean up” of the swamp requires a turning away from our rebellion and a turning to God. Thankfully He doesn’t leave us to drain the swamp on our own and has given us His Word, the indwelling Holy Spirit and the perfect example of Christ to follow.

Are we seeking to drain our swamp?

“For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” ~ Romans 10:3-4

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” ~ 2 Peter 3:18