A Note From Our CAN Director

I’m convinced that the physical follows the spiritual. New Mexico is a poor state because we are running in spiritual deficit. We continue to elect godless leaders who perpetuate a godless agenda. Why would God bless a people who openly reject him? The Bible clearly shows people and nations being blessed or cursed based on their actions.

I recently had a great meeting with former Navajo Nation Vice-President, Myron Lizer.

Mr. Lizer, who is an ordained pastor, shared his perspective on why American (and New Mexico) politics have become so godless. He pointed to a sermon from Charles Finney and this specific quote in that sermon: “If there is a decay of conscience, the pulpit is responsible for it. If the public press lacks moral discernment, the pulpit is responsible for it. If the church is degenerate and worldly, the pulpit is responsible for it. If the world loses its interest in Christianity, the pulpit is responsible for it. If Satan rules in our halls of legislation, the pulpit is responsible for it. If our politics become so corrupt that the very foundations of our government are ready to fall away, the pulpit is responsible for it.” ~ Rev. Charles Finney

As a pastor, Mr. Lizer believes the blame for the condition of our state is squarely on the shoulders of pastors. That being said, when I researched the Finney quote, I also found this quote from him about Christians’ responsibility to vote based on their Biblical values: “The time has come for Christians to vote for honest men, and take consistent ground in politics . . . God will bless or curse this nation according to the course Christians take in politics.”

Too many pastors and Christians have somehow come to the conclusion that being involved in politics is not part of Biblical stewardship. I’m not sure how voting your professed Biblical values isn’t a priority for every Christian who has the privilege of living in a democracy, but if you are a pastor or a Christian who holds that view, please read and ponder this scripture: (James 4:17) “To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”

For those of you who have chosen to do what is right, thank you for standing firm with us.