For a far more studied look at why politics for a Christian is wrong: PartII
Nov 10, 2020 11:02:10 #
The Holy Spirit, speaking by Paul, warned the Christians in Corinth against going to law and seeking justice before the unjust (1 Cor. 6:1-8). To whom does he refer as “unjust”? The context is clear, he refers to the lawmakers/enforcers of that day as “the unjust.” Why? Not just because spiritually speaking they are unjust in God's sight, but also because for the Christian, that is NOT the way to solve problems. But we are then told that Paul himself got involved in the political/legal system in order to continue propagating Christianity. They cite for us his trials first in Caesarea and then in Rome. Need we remind them that it was his unsaved enemies, and not Paul, who brought all that about? Also remember that the same system that freed Paul after his first trial in Rome later condemned and martyred him. And in all his trials there were never any votes or petitions or demonstrations concerning getting him released. It doesn't present a very solid case for the “Christian political scientists.”
Verses, Please
It's time we thought about asking these folks to defend their position from the Scriptures. What verses do they find that clearly teach the obligation of Christian political involvement? Careful! Don't let them quote you any verses about Moses or Daniel or Nehemiah or the good kings of Israel, all of whom were Jews, promised by God a land, a king, and a kingdom, all here on the earth. The Christian, on the other hand, is never promised any such thing, nor encouraged to get involved in the kingdoms of this world. His hope is heavenly, not earthbound (see Colossians 3:1-4). The Lord Jesus’ words to Pilate are full of meaning for us: “My kingdom is not of this world, else would my servants fight” (John 18:36). Since we are questioning them about “Christian” political involvement, they will have to give us some New Testament verses, teaching of the Lord or His apostles, that clearly and unmistakably teach Christians to become involved in any way in politics. Oops - there are none! This is one reason why saying “verses please” infuriates some religious politicians, because they know they cannot produce any!
Citizens Of Heaven
“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil. 3:20). A citizen of one country cannot participate in the politics of another. That is a forgotten part of the Christian life. We are citizens of heaven. Some will argue for dual citizenship, that is, in heaven and in an earthly country at the same time. But this is merely what men impose by their laws, and is not something that requires our active participation. Our interests and our activities should be “heaven-oriented”, and we should decline to become entangled in another kingdom. Let us be like those of Hebrews 11, who “all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off and were assured of them, embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return, But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.”
Those heroes of the faith knew nothing of being entangled with the affairs of this life. They were “underwhelmed” with what the world system had to offer them, because they fixed the eye of faith on the promises of God, and desired a BETTER country. Did God tell them that they were being irresponsible? Did He tell them that they were so heavenly minded that they were no earthly good? No! The Scripture says, “God is not ashamed to be called their God.” This expression by implication introduces the possibility of living in such a way as to make God ashamed of our use of His name. Those who live separated from the world system do not make God ashamed. Are we in their company? Christians, let us remember that our heavenly citizenship is to be real, practical, not just a theory. Part of the practical application is to not become in any way involved with the politics of this present evil world.
The same is true of those who are ambassadors. They most certainly may not become active in the politics of the country where they live. Their relationship is with another country, and there alone may they participate in such affairs. We, as Christians, are ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor. 5:20), and our activity should be with the things of His kingdom. We should not become involved (entangled) in this world's politics.
The Example of Moses
Some try to use him as an example of a man using political influence to achieve good. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is true that God let Moses be educated 40 years in “the university of Egypt”, but it is also true that after that God sent him for 40 years to the silence and solitude of the desert to care for sheep. Only then was he ready. Hebrews 11 speaks of the example of Moses:
“By faith, Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt, for he looked to the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.”
Friends, the Biblical record is clear. Moses forsook the politics of Egypt: the name and the fame; the pleasures and the treasures. Yes, he is an example of faith for us. He could've tried to make Egypt a better place to live, but he chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God. That is a truth that we know precious little of anymore in practice: the experience of suffering affliction as the people of God. We have been sidetracked, entangled into fighting for our rights and privileges like the rest of the world. Not Moses. Perhaps he could've been the next Pharaoh, or at the least one of the most influential people in Egypt. But he gave it up to shepherd God's flock. Some assembly leaders could learn from his example. Instead of giving half of our available time to the assembly (a generous estimate!) and half to politics, whatever happened to that song we used to sing?:
All for Jesus, All for Jesus!
All my being's ransomed pow'rs:
All my tho'ts and words and doings,
All my days and all my hours.
Since my eyes were fixed on Jesus,
I've lost sight of all beside;
So enchained my spirit's vision,
Looking at the Crucified.
Did you notice those words: “Since my eyes were fixed on Jesus, I've lost sight of all beside”? No wonder Tozer said that Christians tell more lies when they sing hymns than at all other times put together. The way around that problem in many churches is simply not to sing the old hymns, whose stanzas contain a message. They opt for the new light-weight choruses that are repetitive and shallow, and avoid the heavy, committing, convicting stuff!
“Looking at the Crucified” is a good expression of how to live. We should live as seeing by faith (not a vision) Him who is invisible, as Moses did. May the Lord Jesus Christ, crucified for us and raised for our justification, be all our vision and fill all our vision. May we go deeper than superficial, professing Christianity, and learn what it means to say: “for to me to live is Christ,” as the Apostle Paul did. Then we don't have to worry about who to vote for any longer.
When you stop and think about it, it is a pretty pathetic history. “They” told us to vote for Nixon, who turned out to be a bizarre man who broke the law and cursed with the foulest language those who pursued him. Then they said vote for Carter, who not only fumbled in office but also has turned out to be an ecumenical. Then it was “vote for Reagan,” only we found out later they must have meant Nancy, and her astrology. In eight years of Reagan’s administration that was supposedly favorable to the “evangelicals,” they did not gain one single thing from the federal government. There was no improvement under Bush. As for Clinton, as a church attending Baptist, he disgraced the office and the Baptists with his vanity, lies and adultery, not to mention his support for homosexuals. Some breathe a sigh of relief now that Bush the son is in the White House, but he has already shown the same truth-damaging ecumenical leanings. When will some people learn that the answer is not in Washington? The Lord Jesus is still saying, “come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). Yes, it is a gospel verse, but there is a very real application for the Christian who in faith turns away from this world's politics to find rest in the Lord Jesus.
What The Future Holds
“...Both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness” (2 Peter 3:10-11). Who would go into a condemned building and start painting the walls and replacing broken windows? Who would stay on a sinking ship washing dirty dishes in the galley? That's what it is like to become entangled in this world and its politics. Not only is it prohibited, not only is it not pleasing to the Lord, but it is wasting precious resources that the Savior could use for His glory. Wasted hours, wasted funds, wasted lives! The ship is going down, the building is condemned, reserved for fire. What God is doing in this age is not improving society, but saving souls and adding them to the church through the proclamation of the gospel. Don't be a cinder soul, saved as by fire, with years and works burnt, consumed, dissolved in the fire of God's judgment. The logic of the Holy Spirit in 2 Peter 3 is that since we know the end of the world and its works, we ought to be different, holy, godly, not earthbound and worldly.
It is o.k. to go to the beach and build a sand castle for fun, but not to invest your life in playing with sand castles. A few waves roll over them and the beach is smooth again. You can't even tell where the castle was. That is what the future holds for those who insist on Christian politics. They are adults playing with sand castles - investing their lives in them. The world and all its works will be dissolved. The waves of God's judgment will roll over this planet, and the works of those Christians who got involved (entangled) in politics will be erased. The beach will be smooth, and we won't even be able to tell where their “castles” were. What a sad day that will be, and may we each avoid that tremendous disappointment. There are no crowns offered in heaven for being in politics. But there are crown’s waiting for faithful elders, for saints who suffer for righteousness sake, and for those who win others to the Lord. How much better to invest our lives, the time and money that we have, in proclaiming the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and making disciples. Allow me to exhort you in the Lord’s Name, even as I say these things to my self: Listen to His voice! Renounce the world system. Heed His command!
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (2 Cor.15:58).
Remember this refrain that we have heard before:
Only one life, 'twill soon be past.
Only what's done for Christ will last.
Let the world take its human responsibility, and continue to do with it what it has done for thousands of years. The Scriptures teaches us not to get entangled with them. As for you, my friend, when are you going to decide to use your one life, the only one you have, for Christ. If you haven’t already done so, now is the time! Decide to be always abounding in the work of the Lord. Decide to take your Christian responsibility to pray, to proclaim the gospel and make disciples. Then you may rest assured that you will see the difference in eternity between those who lived confessing that they were strangers and pilgrims, and those who sought to mix Christianity and politics. May God give you grace to live a separated and devoted life, for the One who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. To Him be the glory forever, amen!
C:\Users\Owner\Documents\New Files\THE CHRISTIAN AND POLITICS.mht
Verses, Please
It's time we thought about asking these folks to defend their position from the Scriptures. What verses do they find that clearly teach the obligation of Christian political involvement? Careful! Don't let them quote you any verses about Moses or Daniel or Nehemiah or the good kings of Israel, all of whom were Jews, promised by God a land, a king, and a kingdom, all here on the earth. The Christian, on the other hand, is never promised any such thing, nor encouraged to get involved in the kingdoms of this world. His hope is heavenly, not earthbound (see Colossians 3:1-4). The Lord Jesus’ words to Pilate are full of meaning for us: “My kingdom is not of this world, else would my servants fight” (John 18:36). Since we are questioning them about “Christian” political involvement, they will have to give us some New Testament verses, teaching of the Lord or His apostles, that clearly and unmistakably teach Christians to become involved in any way in politics. Oops - there are none! This is one reason why saying “verses please” infuriates some religious politicians, because they know they cannot produce any!
Citizens Of Heaven
“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil. 3:20). A citizen of one country cannot participate in the politics of another. That is a forgotten part of the Christian life. We are citizens of heaven. Some will argue for dual citizenship, that is, in heaven and in an earthly country at the same time. But this is merely what men impose by their laws, and is not something that requires our active participation. Our interests and our activities should be “heaven-oriented”, and we should decline to become entangled in another kingdom. Let us be like those of Hebrews 11, who “all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off and were assured of them, embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return, But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.”
Those heroes of the faith knew nothing of being entangled with the affairs of this life. They were “underwhelmed” with what the world system had to offer them, because they fixed the eye of faith on the promises of God, and desired a BETTER country. Did God tell them that they were being irresponsible? Did He tell them that they were so heavenly minded that they were no earthly good? No! The Scripture says, “God is not ashamed to be called their God.” This expression by implication introduces the possibility of living in such a way as to make God ashamed of our use of His name. Those who live separated from the world system do not make God ashamed. Are we in their company? Christians, let us remember that our heavenly citizenship is to be real, practical, not just a theory. Part of the practical application is to not become in any way involved with the politics of this present evil world.
The same is true of those who are ambassadors. They most certainly may not become active in the politics of the country where they live. Their relationship is with another country, and there alone may they participate in such affairs. We, as Christians, are ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor. 5:20), and our activity should be with the things of His kingdom. We should not become involved (entangled) in this world's politics.
The Example of Moses
Some try to use him as an example of a man using political influence to achieve good. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is true that God let Moses be educated 40 years in “the university of Egypt”, but it is also true that after that God sent him for 40 years to the silence and solitude of the desert to care for sheep. Only then was he ready. Hebrews 11 speaks of the example of Moses:
“By faith, Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt, for he looked to the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.”
Friends, the Biblical record is clear. Moses forsook the politics of Egypt: the name and the fame; the pleasures and the treasures. Yes, he is an example of faith for us. He could've tried to make Egypt a better place to live, but he chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God. That is a truth that we know precious little of anymore in practice: the experience of suffering affliction as the people of God. We have been sidetracked, entangled into fighting for our rights and privileges like the rest of the world. Not Moses. Perhaps he could've been the next Pharaoh, or at the least one of the most influential people in Egypt. But he gave it up to shepherd God's flock. Some assembly leaders could learn from his example. Instead of giving half of our available time to the assembly (a generous estimate!) and half to politics, whatever happened to that song we used to sing?:
All for Jesus, All for Jesus!
All my being's ransomed pow'rs:
All my tho'ts and words and doings,
All my days and all my hours.
Since my eyes were fixed on Jesus,
I've lost sight of all beside;
So enchained my spirit's vision,
Looking at the Crucified.
Did you notice those words: “Since my eyes were fixed on Jesus, I've lost sight of all beside”? No wonder Tozer said that Christians tell more lies when they sing hymns than at all other times put together. The way around that problem in many churches is simply not to sing the old hymns, whose stanzas contain a message. They opt for the new light-weight choruses that are repetitive and shallow, and avoid the heavy, committing, convicting stuff!
“Looking at the Crucified” is a good expression of how to live. We should live as seeing by faith (not a vision) Him who is invisible, as Moses did. May the Lord Jesus Christ, crucified for us and raised for our justification, be all our vision and fill all our vision. May we go deeper than superficial, professing Christianity, and learn what it means to say: “for to me to live is Christ,” as the Apostle Paul did. Then we don't have to worry about who to vote for any longer.
When you stop and think about it, it is a pretty pathetic history. “They” told us to vote for Nixon, who turned out to be a bizarre man who broke the law and cursed with the foulest language those who pursued him. Then they said vote for Carter, who not only fumbled in office but also has turned out to be an ecumenical. Then it was “vote for Reagan,” only we found out later they must have meant Nancy, and her astrology. In eight years of Reagan’s administration that was supposedly favorable to the “evangelicals,” they did not gain one single thing from the federal government. There was no improvement under Bush. As for Clinton, as a church attending Baptist, he disgraced the office and the Baptists with his vanity, lies and adultery, not to mention his support for homosexuals. Some breathe a sigh of relief now that Bush the son is in the White House, but he has already shown the same truth-damaging ecumenical leanings. When will some people learn that the answer is not in Washington? The Lord Jesus is still saying, “come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). Yes, it is a gospel verse, but there is a very real application for the Christian who in faith turns away from this world's politics to find rest in the Lord Jesus.
What The Future Holds
“...Both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness” (2 Peter 3:10-11). Who would go into a condemned building and start painting the walls and replacing broken windows? Who would stay on a sinking ship washing dirty dishes in the galley? That's what it is like to become entangled in this world and its politics. Not only is it prohibited, not only is it not pleasing to the Lord, but it is wasting precious resources that the Savior could use for His glory. Wasted hours, wasted funds, wasted lives! The ship is going down, the building is condemned, reserved for fire. What God is doing in this age is not improving society, but saving souls and adding them to the church through the proclamation of the gospel. Don't be a cinder soul, saved as by fire, with years and works burnt, consumed, dissolved in the fire of God's judgment. The logic of the Holy Spirit in 2 Peter 3 is that since we know the end of the world and its works, we ought to be different, holy, godly, not earthbound and worldly.
It is o.k. to go to the beach and build a sand castle for fun, but not to invest your life in playing with sand castles. A few waves roll over them and the beach is smooth again. You can't even tell where the castle was. That is what the future holds for those who insist on Christian politics. They are adults playing with sand castles - investing their lives in them. The world and all its works will be dissolved. The waves of God's judgment will roll over this planet, and the works of those Christians who got involved (entangled) in politics will be erased. The beach will be smooth, and we won't even be able to tell where their “castles” were. What a sad day that will be, and may we each avoid that tremendous disappointment. There are no crowns offered in heaven for being in politics. But there are crown’s waiting for faithful elders, for saints who suffer for righteousness sake, and for those who win others to the Lord. How much better to invest our lives, the time and money that we have, in proclaiming the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and making disciples. Allow me to exhort you in the Lord’s Name, even as I say these things to my self: Listen to His voice! Renounce the world system. Heed His command!
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (2 Cor.15:58).
Remember this refrain that we have heard before:
Only one life, 'twill soon be past.
Only what's done for Christ will last.
Let the world take its human responsibility, and continue to do with it what it has done for thousands of years. The Scriptures teaches us not to get entangled with them. As for you, my friend, when are you going to decide to use your one life, the only one you have, for Christ. If you haven’t already done so, now is the time! Decide to be always abounding in the work of the Lord. Decide to take your Christian responsibility to pray, to proclaim the gospel and make disciples. Then you may rest assured that you will see the difference in eternity between those who lived confessing that they were strangers and pilgrims, and those who sought to mix Christianity and politics. May God give you grace to live a separated and devoted life, for the One who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. To Him be the glory forever, amen!
C:\Users\Owner\Documents\New Files\THE CHRISTIAN AND POLITICS.mht
Nov 13, 2020 17:11:38 #
That doesn’t make the case that politics for a Christian is wrong.
What is the source for this?
What is the source for this?
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