Sounding the Alarm for the Beloved Community
Come out from Amoung Them
To the Beloved Community
The Basis for our Victory in this current political, social and spiritual crisis in America has everything to do with how each of us is spiritually aligned with God’s Spirit or to the spirit of the world.
And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. 1 Cor. 2:12
There is not a middle ground, either living-souls are faithfully committed to God or they are committed to everything affiliated with secular humanism. This message today is directed at true followers who are faithful in their spiritual maturity. Which implies that their character is shaped by Christ, thus their identities is not influenced by the very culture in which we live.
For those believers who are Christian in name only, I pray that you will find that true follower of The Messiah, can not compromise one’s High calling for anything that this world offers. The passivity of one’s spiritual position of Neutrality leads only into one direction, Spiritual and Moral Blackout!
Those of us who are faithful followers of The Messiah, and His Gospel Message of the Kingdom of God, will do well to never fall victim to any and all insidious systematic evil that by design is promoted to desensitized one’s spirituality and or moral compass as a citizen who must contend with the physical and spiritual kingdom simultaneously.
Each new day that our Creator grants each of us first is a blessed gift that we really don’t deserve, and secondly, each of our alliance and loyalty is tested for its integrity and faithfulness of one’s calling in the Kingdom as opposed to the secular world.
Below is the foundational Scripture reference for today’s blog post, 1 Corinthians 10: 3-4 as a war cry to the Beloved Community to remain connected the God and The Kingdom of Heaven during these uncertain times and crises. Grace and Peace
| 1 Corinthians 10:3-4 Yes, we walk in the flesh—meaning we have fleshly bodies. God has made us physical. But, we are not really supposed to walk according to the flesh. “We walk by faith, not by sight. “We live in physical bodies. We have physical lives. We have our physical problems. But the battle we wage is not physical at all! The battle is fought in the realm of belief, ideas, philosophies, teachings, words, principles, and laws. To sum it up, we could say, “We fight the battle in our minds.”That is where it is—in our minds. Or as the Bible often says—within our hearts, our emotions, our personalities, our developing character. Why is that where the battle lies? “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). We are what we think! We are what we allow into our minds. René Descartes said, “I think therefore I am [Cogito ergo sum].” |
With all of the impeachment hearings going on and the negative impact that our policial partisan struggle has on not just our Nation, families, individuals, the world community, and our Faith, I asked myself, how did The Master deal with the political climate in His times.
Just what is the spiritual and biblical basis for politics and government from God’s perspective? What are some positive takeaways that we all can learn from why God implemented Government in our culture in the first place?
Government and God’s Plan
The first thing the government is that God is in favor of it. This should encourage anyone with a career in public service.
Presidents, members of Congress, senators, governors, mayors, council members, as well as police officers, military personnel, park and school district employees, and other public servants play an important role in God’s plan to bless the world and bring glory to himself.
We know Jesus paid taxes and encouraged his disciples to do the same. To those living in Rome, whose government wasn’t always friendly to Christians, the apostle Paul encourages submission to the governing authorities who are “ministers of God” and to whom taxes, respect, and honor are owed. Peter likewise tells believers that part of their service to the common good is to fear God and honor the Roman emperor (Matt. 17:24–27, Rom. 13:1–7; 1 Pet. 2:17).
The Bible also highlights God-fearing men and women who served in public office. Deborah served as judge over Israel, Joseph served as prime minister for the Egyptian Pharaoh, Daniel served in the court of Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylon, and Nehemiah was a trusted official for the Persian king Artaxerxes.
In the New Testament, Jesus gave high praise to a Roman soldier for his exemplary faith (Matt. 8:5–13). These and other examples confirm that government—whether in theocratic ancient Israel or secular Egypt, Babylon, Persia, or Rome—has always been part of God’s plan.
Choosing Sides
Secondly, when it comes to politics, the Bible gives us no reason to believe Jesus would side completely with one political viewpoint over another. Rather, when it comes to kings and kingdoms, Jesus sides with himself.
The following encounter between Joshua, an Israelite military commander headed into battle, and the angel of the LORD is instructive:
When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” And the commander of the LORD’ss army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so. (Joshua 5:13–15)
“Lord, are you for us, or are you for our adversaries?”
“No, I’m not,” he replies.
The question we should be asking, then, isn’t whether Jesus is on our side, but whether we’re on his. This is the appropriate question not only for politics and government but also for every other concern.
First Allegiance
Thirdly, people from varying political persuasions can experience unity under a first allegiance to Jesus the King, who on the cross removed and even “killed” the dividing wall of hostility between people on the far left, people on the far right, and people everywhere in between (Eph. 2:16).
Wherever the reign of Jesus is felt, differences are embraced and even celebrated as believers move toward one another in unity and peace.
Major Reasons for Judaic-Christian tradition cares about politics
1. The Judaic-Christian worldview speaks to all areas of life.
A frequently raised objection against Christian engagement with politics is that anything besides explicit preaching and teaching of the Bible is a distraction from the mission of the church. However, this is a limited understanding of the kingdom of God and contrary to examples in Scripture.
The Judaic-Christian worldview provides a comprehensive understanding of reality. It speaks to all areas of life, including political engagement. In fact, the Bible speaks about civil government and provides examples of faithful engagement.
- In the Old Testament, Joseph and Daniel served in civil government, exerting influence to further the flourishing of their nations.
- In the New Testament, Jesus engaged in holistic ministry, caring for the spiritual and physical needs of people. Feeding the hungry and healing diseases were an outworking and extension of the reconciliatory message of the gospel.
- Paul also advocates this approach: “As we have the opportunity, let us do good to everyone” (Galatians 6:10). And: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
Engaging in “good works” should include participating in the political process because of the legitimate and significant role of government. The decisions made by the government have a substantial impact on people and the way we interact with them. A Christian worldview should include a political theology that recognizes every area of life must be included in the “good works” of believers, especially politics, an area with significant real-life implications for people.
2. Politics are unavoidable.
As “sojourners and exiles” (1 Peter 2:11), it can be tempting for Christians to adopt a mindset that earthly governing systems are inconsequential to the task of furthering the gospel. But ask a pastor in an underground church or a missionary attempting to access a closed country if politics are inconsequential. Religious liberty, passports, and visas are not unnecessary luxuries but are often vital for pastors and missionaries seeking to preach and teach the gospel.
Augustine’s City of God offers guidance on this point. Believers are citizens of the “City of God,” but on this side of eternity, we also belong to the “City of Man” and therefore must be good citizens of both cities. There are biblical examples of how membership in the earthly city can be leveraged for furthering the reach of the heavenly. Paul’s appeal to his Roman citizenship (Acts 16:37, 22:25) is a model of this.
In an American context, engaging these dual cities takes on added significance because of the words prefacing the Constitution: “We the people.” In the United States, ultimate national sovereignty is entrusted to the people. James Madison explained that the “consent of the people” is the “pure original fountain of all legitimate authority.” This reality makes politics unavoidable for American citizens who control their political future.
Because politics have real-world implications for Christian evangelism, missions and preaching the gospel, Christians ought to engage the political process by leveraging their rightful authority, advocating for laws and policies that contribute to human flourishing.
3. We need to love our neighbor.
When questioned by religious authorities on the law, Jesus explained that loving God with heart, soul, and mind was the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37). He added that second in priority was: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39).
Followers of Christ are called to love and serve their neighbors (Matthew 28:19-20). When asked about the qualifications of “neighbor,” Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), indicating that irrespective of race, background, social status or occupation, neighborly love is owed.
In a very real sense, politics is one of the most important areas in which Christians demonstrate love to neighbor. In fact, how can Christians claim to care about others and not engage the arena that most profoundly shapes basic rights and freedoms? Caring for the hungry, thirsty, naked, sick and lonely is important to Jesus and should be to His followers as well. Jesus said, “As you did it to one of the least of these you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40).
Fulfilling the biblical mandate to love neighbor and care for the “least of these” should be a priority for every believer. Again, a holistic approach is essential. Loving neighbor includes volunteering at a homeless shelter, as well as influencing laws that encourage human flourishing. Good government and laws are not negligible factors in the prosperity and freedom of a society.
4. The government restrains evil and promotes good.
The government derives its authority from God to promote good and restrain evil. This mandate is expressly stated in Romans 13:1-7. Elsewhere, Paul urges that prayers be made “for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Paul understood the need for Christian participation in government.
The government plays a role in the work of God’s kingdom on earth. The good government encourages an environment conducive for people living peaceably, whereas bad government fosters unrest and instability. Because of sin, the legitimate institution of government has, at times, been used illegitimately throughout history. However, numerous examples persist of Christians reasserting their influence and redeeming government to promote good and restrain evil.
What are our continued moral and spiritual obligations as faithful followers of The Master, regardless of what we have to face?
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Tim 6:12 NKJV
Another version of this passage states:
Compete well for the faith and lay hold of that eternal life you were called for and made your good confession for in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Tim. 6:12 NET
Biblical interpretation
Using the Greek lexicon to obtain the clearest initial interpretation and meaning of 1 Tim. 6:12, it would read as follows:
Each of us is to Fight [struggle, 1. to contend with an adversary or opposing force. 2. To contend resolutely with a task, problem; ie, to strive]
the,
Good [valuable or virtuous]
Fight [contest, an effort or anxiety]
of the,
Faith [the Message and practice of the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven; trust, confidence, fidelity, faithfulness].
We also are to take hold [seize] of the,
Eternal [the perpetual]
Life [both the physical (present) and the spiritual (future) existence
to which you were,
called [summon, invited]
when you made [acknowledged and made a covenant]
the,
good [valuable and virtuous]
confession [acknowledgement] before [in the face of],
many witnesses [a martyr; also to see, hear, or know by personal presence and perception].
Closing analysis
Wherever you are in your political viewpoint or party lines of this current administration, for every faithful follower of the True and Living King, Remember who you are and whom you serve.
Please consider how your faithful alliance with anyone or anything that is unscriptural or immoral, deeply and negatively, influences your witness to your Lord and Savior, this is a very poor witness to the unsaved and unredeemed.
The Beloved Community of the God is never to submit to the spirit of the world, for we are reborn by the Spirit of God. Each of us are to be led by the Spirit of truth and to let the Holy Spirit guide your life in paths of righteousness.
Jesus says, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32. Free from being a slave to the spirit that persuades most of the world, free from living before the face of man, free to serve God with no restrictions, no reservations. Free to live a life of vitality; one that satisfies and leads to salvation.
Resource materials that were used for this blog post: Article from Scott Sauls, March 16, 2016 [The Gospel Colition], “Non-Partisan Politics of Jesus.” “Four Reasons Christians should care about politics.” by, David Closson, Aug. 4, 2015. Christianity Today, Editorial, “Trump Should Be Removed from Office“, Mark Galli. Alignment with God’s Spirit, Forerunner Commentary of 1 Corinthians 10:3-4, Richard T. Ritenbaugh