This issue is so big and so far reaching that it is impossible to fully understand all the ramifications of enacting this law until 2018 when it is fully in place. If you care to, here is a link to a .pdf of the Affordable Care Act on Healthcare.gov website. (955 pages and 2.6mb file). But let’s discuss just a few aspects of this far reaching law from a Christian’s perspective.
I believe the major issue of this act on our country today is the financial burden that the Affordable Care Act will have on the US Economy. According to the Congressional Budget Office Publication 43080, the cost of the Affordable Care Act on the fragile US Economy will be well over one trillion dollars over the next ten years. This estimate is generally considered to be grossly understated.
Larry Burkett wrote in 1994 in his book, The Coming Economic Earthquake, “It is difficult for me to imagine that we, as a nation, are considering such an expansive and potentially disastrous program (speaking of the Clinton Health Care Reform proposal) at a time when the survival of the economy is in jeopardy. If, in fact, any form of national health care is implemented, it will be the final straw – the dagger in the heart of our economy as we know it.” If Larry Burkett felt his way 18 years ago, we can only guess the impact today.
Luke 14:28 says we should count the cost before we embark on a project and see if we have enough money to complete it. The continued irresponsible spending, by both political parties in our nation is destroying America.
In addition to the cost, there are other elements of the Affordable Care Act that should be noted by Christians. As we begin to unravel the details, I am sure we will find issues like abortion, gay rights, birth control and end of life issues that we as followers of Jesus Christ must see from a biblical worldview. Our position on these issues needs to be formed in the Chruch and from the Word of God under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and not in Congress, from the White House under the guidance of the Supreme Court. Make sure that our convictions and actions concerning these issues are based on God’s Word and not the Affordable Care Act.
But we cannot forget that we as Christians are instructed to help those who are disadvantaged. Deuteronomy 15:7-8; James 1:27 and 5:14-16 are just a few verses that serve as reminders of how concerned God is for the less fortunate. Could it be that, like welfare and other assistance programs, the government had to step in to help those in need because we as Christians have dropped the ball? (1 John 3:17-18; James 2:15-16; Matthew 25:35-40; Luke 3:11)
So what should we do as Christians in America? I don’t know what your opinion is of Obamacare, but we as believers have some responsibilities. The first and foremost is to pray. Pray for our country and pray for the leaders of our country to see the consequences of the course they are embarking upon and that they will seek wisdom from God. Remember God has put our government in place and we are instructed to submit to them. (Romans 13:1; 1 Peter 2:13-14; Daniel 2:20-21)
The second responsibility is to have a biblical worldview of everything we encounter in society including Obamacare. Form our opinions based on what the Bible says and not on what politicians, friends and the press say. (Romans 12:2)
And the third responsibility is to vote. In November, the American people will register their view on the legitimacy and wisdom of the healthcare law at the polls. History will record whether we the people prefer limited government or a much wider role of government in our society.
In the meantime, remember that The Great Physician is not
subject to Congress, the white house or our legal system. He is "the Lord
who heals you" (Exodus 15:26b) and our trust is to be in God (Philippians 4:6-7)
and the future rests in Him (Proverbs 16:9)
and not the Affordable Care Act.
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