Previous:
OK, I said that the last post would finish my line of thought on politics, but after receiving many interesting and appreciated comments regarding this topic, I knew that I had to address a few more issues.
We need to begin by looking at the Bible's guidance as to what our obligations are to our civil governments. We find most of this in Romans.
Romans 13:1-7 (KJV)
1
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2
Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3
For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4
For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5
Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
6
For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
From verse 1 we find that it is God who has "ordained" the governmental powers. The word "ordain" means to establish. What this is saying is that God has put into place the concept of governmental rule. This does not mean that God has put evil rulers in place. However, God is sovereign and in our fallen world He has allowed evil rulers to sometimes come to power. We don't understand the reasons for this, but I can point to the fact that Christianity grows when the government is hard on Christians, and Christianity wanes when there is affluence and agreeable government.
Verse 1 also tells us that we are to obey the governmental authorities and verse 2 points out that by disobeying we are resisting God. Verses 3 and 4 speak about the reason for government, to promote the good and to punish evil. God has given government the authority to punish perpetrators of evil deeds. Then verses 6 and 7 speak about our obligation to pay our taxes and to give the governmental authorities what is due them.
So what about people who protest against the government? In the Gospels, Jesus made it clear that we are always to obey God first. So, if the government is doing something contrary to the Word of God we are allowed to disobey, but be prepared for the consequences the government will impose on the one who disobeys. Plus, any disobedience cannot be violent or cross into evil. I am reminded of Corrie Ten Boom whose family hid Jews during World War II. Her family was right in what they did, but Corrie eventually was imprisoned for her actions.
There were several comments on Google about whether or not we are instructed to vote. Is that required by the Bible? No, it is not. But we also have to take into consideration the culture of the first century. Israel was an occupied nation. The Romans held control of the country. There was no political system to even participate in. No wonder voting, etc. is not even spoken about. It is similar to the complaints made regarding slavery. Since nothing was said about the abolition of slavery the Bible somehow condones it? But that isn't sound reasoning. The culture included vast numbers of slaves. The Bible dealt with the situation that existed and taught slaves how to live under slavery. At the same time, I am reminded of Paul gently encouraging Philemon to free his slave Onesimus.
But when America was founded we were given a great privilege, to participate in the selection of our rulers. Ideally, we should have a government that works well for its citizens. But this only works when everyone votes. And when Christians vote we can impact the nation for those principles that are in accord with the Word of God.
Lastly, I received a lot of comment on how politics and religion should be kept separate. Some well-meaning Christians even claimed that they were not religious, that they were only people of faith. But it seems to me, that there is a misunderstanding of what religion is. The definition of religion is, "Any system of faith and worship" For Christians then, whatever faith and worship practice someone has is in fact religion. And I don't mean necessarily any particular organized religion. We can practice faith in God totally without any denomination or "ism" and it is still our religion. Go beyond this and we have to recognize that secularism or atheism is also "religion". It is what a person believes in. When we realize that religion, for all intents and purposes, is simply what we believe in, we also should understand that when we vote, our beliefs or our religion informs how we vote. So really, whenever a person votes, he or she votes his religion.
This then is what must be determined, "Which candidates' values reflect those values that God is most pleased with?" And if we vote our religion and the vote causes laws to be implemented that restrict our rights as Christians and citizens (read socialism), or cause Christians to violate their consciences (read paying for abortions, forcing employers to pay for abortion coverage, force churches to employ homosexuals, force schools to actively promote abortion or homosexuality), we have not voted according to a Christian worldview, but have voted evil into place.
History will tell us the result.
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Friday, November 9, 2012
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
What Happened to the Church?
Previous:
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:
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:
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Confusing Signs and the Vote!
Well, my newly turned 18 year old son and I got up this morning, got into the car, and proceeded to drive to where we were going to vote. Because of precinct redistricting our polling place had been changed, but I knew where to go, so there was no problem. That is until I turned my car down the street where my destination was located. There were signs on both sides of the street informing drivers where voting was going on. The left side signs pointed left and the right side signs pointed right. Two churches stood on opposite sides of the road and both, apparently, were voting locations and both parking lots were pretty full. Thankfully, I knew which church was my polling place, so I turned left and parked. As we entered the building we heard of several who had gone into the wrong church and had been instructed to go across the street. I'm sure this senario was being played out in the other church as well. But my son and I were in the right place, so we received ballots and we successfully voted.
I'm still laughing over the signs. It was the craziest thing I've ever seen. Obviously, those in charge had no other option than to have these polling places right next to each other. But talk about confusion! But isn't this a picture of the election process itself? In America's two party system we are always confronted by two opposing choices. Increasingly, the differences between the two choices are becoming more pronounced. In fact, it seemed like this year that there was an enormous "canyon" between the two choices. They are like two signs pointing in two very opposite directions. Which way is right?
Even the two churches standing on opposite corners speak of the chasm that exists between religions. Everybody heads down the road between them and must choose a side. There are signs, but which ones give the information that will direct to the correct spot?
The signs that we are exposed to are tradition, writings of all kinds, personal feelings, testimony from others, fear, nature, and the conscience.This list is by no means exhaustive and they often point in different directions. Besides this, these signs can be misleading, false, lead to rabbit trails, or lead to dead ends. We can't even gauge the direction by the number of people in any given parking lot. What's the answer?
The only sign that can lead to absolute truth is the Bible. Many argue about it's veracity and authenticity, and refuse to accept the direction found therein, but those who have plumbed the riches that it contains, will argue back that there is no other sign that measures up to the Bible. It leads to the grace of God, forgiveness of sin, salvation, and eternal life. If these are true results, the Bible leads to the only correct direction. Yet, if it's false, like so many of the other signs are, the only negatives are having lived a life of purpose, peace, and love for God and man. Nothing is lost by going by the signs of the Bible, but everything may be gained.
Even those political questions can be answered by following the Bible. Life values that God says are important can guide in the determination of how to vote. It's all there!
My son and I were not confused by the opposing signs leading to our polling place. Nor are we confused about the myriad number of signs along life's highway. It is the tiny sign that says, "Bible" that will direct us into the future.
Matthew 7:13-14 (KJV)
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Next:
I'm still laughing over the signs. It was the craziest thing I've ever seen. Obviously, those in charge had no other option than to have these polling places right next to each other. But talk about confusion! But isn't this a picture of the election process itself? In America's two party system we are always confronted by two opposing choices. Increasingly, the differences between the two choices are becoming more pronounced. In fact, it seemed like this year that there was an enormous "canyon" between the two choices. They are like two signs pointing in two very opposite directions. Which way is right?
Even the two churches standing on opposite corners speak of the chasm that exists between religions. Everybody heads down the road between them and must choose a side. There are signs, but which ones give the information that will direct to the correct spot?
The signs that we are exposed to are tradition, writings of all kinds, personal feelings, testimony from others, fear, nature, and the conscience.This list is by no means exhaustive and they often point in different directions. Besides this, these signs can be misleading, false, lead to rabbit trails, or lead to dead ends. We can't even gauge the direction by the number of people in any given parking lot. What's the answer?
The only sign that can lead to absolute truth is the Bible. Many argue about it's veracity and authenticity, and refuse to accept the direction found therein, but those who have plumbed the riches that it contains, will argue back that there is no other sign that measures up to the Bible. It leads to the grace of God, forgiveness of sin, salvation, and eternal life. If these are true results, the Bible leads to the only correct direction. Yet, if it's false, like so many of the other signs are, the only negatives are having lived a life of purpose, peace, and love for God and man. Nothing is lost by going by the signs of the Bible, but everything may be gained.
Even those political questions can be answered by following the Bible. Life values that God says are important can guide in the determination of how to vote. It's all there!
My son and I were not confused by the opposing signs leading to our polling place. Nor are we confused about the myriad number of signs along life's highway. It is the tiny sign that says, "Bible" that will direct us into the future.
Matthew 7:13-14 (KJV)
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Next:
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