Wednesday, November 7, 2012

What Happened to the Church?

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This blog was not meant to be political. I don't care for politics. But there are some aspects of politics, the political system, and our collective responses that infringe on how we live out our Christianity. Yesterday's blog was one of those examples. That was meant to be the end of it, until I found myself confronted with friends on Facebook commenting on the election results. I love these people and they are sisters and brothers in Christ, but their responses are contrary to the Bible. I needed to address the two groups that are represented by some of my dear friends.

The latest data that I heard stated that there are 60 million Christians in America. Out of that 60 million only half were expected to vote. Some of these are Mennonites or other Anabaptists who believe that voting and participating in politics is forbidden for Christians. They get this understanding from Scripture. I really don't have a problem with these people, because they have analyzed the situation and have come to what they see as a Biblical response. I may not agree with them, but I respect their understanding. But the vast majority of Christians that don't vote do so for reasons totally removed from the Bible. They don't like politics (hey, neither do I), they hate the ads (so do I), and they hate the vitriolic language between the candidates (so do I). So they don't vote. But don't these people realize that by not voting, especially in this election, they are likely voting for everything that is contrary to Biblical values. Thank you, for helping evil to gain a further foothold on our country!

Secondly, and even more appalling, were Christians that went out and voted against Biblical values. This is beyond my comprehension. Pro-death and pro-sexual immorality candidates should be off limits to the Christian. All other issues are really secondary. No candidate is ever perfect. But, if a candidate cannot stand for Biblical values he or she doesn't stand for anything, except for standing in opposition to the God of the universe. Thank you, also, for helping evil to gain a further foothold on our country!

Yet, God is still sovereign. He could have orchestrated a different outcome, but He didn't. What does this tell us? First, I believe that He has given our country what we apparently wanted.

Romans 1:28-32 (KJV)
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.


Second, I believe this is indicative of the end times. These things must happen.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 (KJV)
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

In the end, there will be judgment. All will be made right. God will be king over all the earth! In the meantime, there might still be time for repentance (which we all need). We need to pray for our country and its leaders and ask for God's mercy!

Next:

7 comments:

  1. Good post. Couple of thoughts.

    Regarding the first group (people who don't vote): A somewhat common phrase I was hearing throughout the election was "Voting for the lesser of 2 evils is still voting for evil." In other words, there are some Christians out there that believe voting is fine but also believe that they cannot vote for someone that believes some evil (for example, Romney believes abortion is ok in the case of rape or at least flip flopped on it). While I completely disagree with this line of thought (because not voting or voting for someone who will not win ends up helping the leader, in this case, the one that believes in more evil), I can't really fault someone who believes it because they are attempting to do what they believe the Lord would have them to do.

    Regarding the second group: Of those 60 million "Christians", how many really are Bible believing, Bible knowledgeable people? I would guess quite a bit less than 60 million. We've got people that believe the Bible is just a good book (and so they don't need to vote for someone that believes something against it), people who don't know what the Bible says (for example, they think that they Bible is silent on homosexuality or it is just in the Old Testament), and people who just know out of context portions of the Bible (the "you should not judge" people). So, while I do believe it is appalling that so called Christians went and voted completely against Biblical values, I guess I can understand why. At least among my Facebook Friends, it seemed rare (though not unseen) to see true Christians saying anything to try to educate their "Christian" friends on what they Bible really says. Maybe if more people would have done that, we would have seen a different outcome.

    All in all, it is good to know that God is in control, although I still wish he would not let us have our way. *sigh* One day... :)

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  2. Michelle,

    Thank you for your comment. You have added some good points to this discussion. I also do not have a problem with those Christians who believed that any voting this year would be voting for evil. At least the Bible was used to inform their vote. My problem really lies with the true born again believers who did not vote or voted against Biblical values because they either aren't Biblically well informed or found other issues more important than the right to life and the Biblical definition of marriage. And you are right, God is still in control.

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  3. Good points! I believe your latter thoughts/scriptures on the Lord's return are the best of reminders. There's no nation & no leader than can bring about the sort of "hope and change" that He alone can, and will.

    We are living in momentous times. That's a powerful, hopeful and scarey thought. It could get a whole lot worse before it gets better. I think we can be sure of that.

    Blessings,
    Kathleen

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  4. Thank you, Kathleen! I agree completely!

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  5. Good post Renee- I would like to add a couple of thoughts

    I was reading a blog by Joel Rosenberg a prominent Christian author. In his blog he had indicated that 6-7 million people that describe themselves as Christians voted for Obama. This absolutely floored me. And it does not even include Christians that did not vote.

    So what happens when we become Christians. Let's read 2 corinthians 5:17 and Mark 12:30


    2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)
    17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

    Mark 12:30 (KJV)
    30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

    This means when we come to Christ, that our old interest in worldly things become of secondary importance compared to wanting to put God first place in our lives. Anything short of that is idolatry.

    So how do we become informed about what is pleasing to God.

    Psalm 119:9 (KJV)
    9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

    Psalm 119:11 (KJV)
    11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

    We read our Bible-"Basic information before leaving earth" to determine what is pleasing to God.

    God clearly states in the Bible that He knew us before we were born and abortion-killing our unborn is nothing short of murder.

    He also indicates that he hates all sin including that sin of homosexual relations. Consider Gods judgement on Sodom and Gomorrah. Also consider 1 Corinthians 6:9

    1 Corinthians 6:9 (NKJV)
    9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,

    Obama has made his position very clear on the issues of abortion and homosexual relations in that he completely embraces them.

    So getting back to why would 6-7 million Christians vote for Obama. My theory is that they have not completely surrendered their lives to God. They are putting their interest before God's. Thoughts to consider when we do this.

    There will be a day of judgment by Christ himself.

    Hebrews 9:27 (KJV)
    27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

    Matthew 7:21-23 (KJV)
    21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
    22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
    23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

    Some sobering thoughts to consider when we put our interest ahead of God's

    Phil

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    Replies
    1. Joel Rosenberg certainly has a way of hitting the proverbial nail on the head, doesn't he? Sobering thoughts indeed!

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  6. Thank you, Phil, for your comments. You have added some very important points to the discussion.

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