Can a believer get involved with politics? (Part 2).

[B-B]

4 minutes ago, The_Patriot21 said:

Because our job isnt to change the world....our job is to be a light unto the world, let God do the changing.

Think about it...look at the OT. What would have happenned to the Israelites had Joseph not held a position of power? 

Or moses hadnt stepped forward.

Better yet lets skip forward to Elijah-a man who was very politically active and wasnt afraid to call out an evil king. Or Daniel. Or Esther and malachi.

How about Nehemiah, who thanks to being politically active was able to rebuild Jerusalems wall.

Gods prophets and judges were all politically active. Even the apostle Paul didnt shy away from politics.

You can strongly disagree all you want...but your ignoring scripture. On our own we can do nothing, but with God we can do all things. Our job isnt to win the war on sin, Gods already done that. Our job is to stand for truth and be the light on the hill. We cant do that hiding alone in our churches because "this isnt our world"

And its not our world. But we should be doing everything we can to bring as many people as we can with us.

Strongly agree

[Mike Mclees]

Being in politics does not make you a light for Christ. You used the Old Testament Jews as reason for being politically motivated in the New Testament. There is a world of difference. Israel was Gods people as a nation under the law. In the New Testament believers are saved by personal faith in Christ and under the guidance of the Holy Ghost. Through them we are the light of world. Political rule whether gentile or Jew has always been corrupt with ambition centered in the law. Do you believe the Apostles were politically motivated in order to serve Christ. 

James 4:4 says you adulteresses know you not that friendship with the world is enmity  with God? Whosoever will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God

When Tested by Satan he offered Jesus that if He would worship him he could have the whole world.  This is He could have been ruler of the whole world. Jesus said I must do the will of the Father. 

It was bishops of Rome that turned the church in a religious political system in the 5th century after Constantine  The early church at Pentecost had know political motivation or to seek after it. 

 

 

[B-B]

20 minutes ago, Mike Mclees said:

Being in politics does not make you a light for Christ.

I don't believe that anyone is suggesting that being employed in Politics per se, makes you a light for Christ. We are to be as lights that shine in the darkness, where-ever the Lord has placed us, whether that is in Politics, (e.g. like William Wilberforce), or in Finance, Or in Education, Healthcare, etc. etc. Whatever our work, we work as unto the Lord.

20 minutes ago, Mike Mclees said:

You used the Old Testament Jews as reason for being politically motivated in the New Testament.

...My understanding, was that Old Testament examples were used, to show how men & women in centuries past, were placed into 'political' positions/positions of influence, and were to use their privileged positions to bring glory & honour to God.

20 minutes ago, Mike Mclees said:

Do you believe the Apostles were politically motivated in order to serve Christ. 

It's not about saints being 'politically motivated '.... It's about saints being a light shining in the darkness of the politically corrupt world. Light exposes darkness.

20 minutes ago, Mike Mclees said:

James 4:4 says you adulteresses know you not that friendship with the world is enmity  with God? Whosoever will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God

Inappropriately used Scripture...as being a light in the darkness of political corruption, is not friendship with the world. Light exposes darkness.

20 minutes ago, Mike Mclees said:

Jesus said I must do the will of the Father. 

Yes...and we each must obey our Lords will. If He wanted saints to be lights shining in the darkness of the political arena...so be it. He will strengthen His saints and enable them to stay faithful & true to Him in their work.

 

 

Edited June 11, 2022 by B-B

[Mike Mclees]

29 minutes ago, B-B said:

I don't believe that anyone is suggesting that being employed in Politics per se, makes you a light for Christ. We are to be as lights that shine in the darkness, whereever the Lord has placed us, if it's in Politics (e.g. like William Wilberforce) or in Finance, Or in Education, Healthcare, etc. etc.

No. Old Testament examples were used, to show how men & women were placed in 'political' positions, positions of influence, and used their privileged positions to bring glory to God.

It's not about saints being 'politically motivated '.... It's about saints being a light shining in the darkness of the politically corrupt world.

Inappropriately used Scripture...as being a light in the darkness of political corruption, is not friendship with the world.

Yes...and we each must obey our Lords will. If He wanted saints to be lights shining in the darkness of the political arena...so be it. He will strengthen His saints and enable them to stay faithful & true to Him in their work.

 

 

Perhaps I should not have used the saying politically motivated. Maybe I could have said worldly minded, but I am sure that you are talking about being used as a light in dark places. The world as a whole is a dark place. Im sorry you think that James 4:4 was an inappropriate verse and again I disagree. Not everything is evil in the world, but on the whole it is evil and corrupt and that includes the political systems of the world which is antichrist, and its ambitions where ever they are rooted at. It is a waste to keep arguing for the sake of arguing so I will stop here 

God bless  

[B-B]

14 minutes ago, Mike Mclees said:

Perhaps I should not have used the saying politically motivated. Maybe I could have said worldly minded, but I am sure that you are talking about being used as a light in dark places. The world as a whole is a dark place. Im sorry you think that James 4:4 was an inappropriate verse and again I disagree. Not everything is evil in the world, but on the whole it is evil and corrupt and that includes the political systems of the world which is antichrist, and its ambitions where ever they are rooted at. It is a waste to keep arguing for the sake of arguing so I will stop here 

God bless  

It is a discussion… rather than an argument. And I’m afraid that I believe that your use of the James Scripture in this discussion is inappropriate and should be retracted. Christians such as William Wilberforce for e.g., who were used mightily by the Lord in British Politics, were not showing ‘friendship with the world’.

We, as Believers, are not to live in a ‘Bubble’ or some ‘Holy huddle’. We are to be in the world but not of it. This requires strength and courage and a close walk with the Lord.

Edited June 11, 2022 by B-B

[ayin jade]

 

Should Christians be involved in politics?

Should Christians be active opposing the political push for abortions?

Should Christians be involved opposing the push for gay rights?

Should Christians be active opposing the legalization of other sinful things like prostitution? 

Or should we keep silent and not get involved as the world continues to slide into praising sinful things? We cant be a light when we turn a blind eye to the acceptance of things the Lord opposes.

 

 

[Mike Mclees]

B-B and ayan jade you have made your point. When I stand against Christians being in politics, I speak in the general overall. I would not get into politics or encourage it for all the. reasons I have stated.  If one feels God would or is calling for a voice to stand up then yes stand up. I have also stood up and will change not.  

[Marathoner]

@Mike Mclees, I agree with you for the most part. However, there is no scriptural mandate for nor against political involvement, only that the Lord appoints civil authority; we're to obey the civil authorities as this pleases Him. 

As for the notion that some authorities are appointed by God and some are not, this is contrary to the testimony of scripture. There is a certain double mindedness behind the demand that servants of Jesus Christ involve themselves in political pursuit because if we don't, then neither the will nor voice of the Holy One will be made known. 

The Lord Himself appoints authority, so this is proven false. So is the argument that the accuser will have his way if we abstain from political engagement, which is found nowhere in scripture. Men are wicked as we all know, even those whom God appoints to positions of civil power. Nebudchadnezzar's dream in the fourth chapter of Daniel establishes this fact as His decree.

[Marathoner]

I can't see any reason why a Christian should or shouldn't cast a vote in places where elections exist. There is liberty in the Spirit of the Lord, but the OP and Mike articulate my own position sans the assertion that we all should abstain from voting or political office. 

I avoid it for good reason and if my brother or sister feels otherwise, I will neither condemn them nor stand in their way.

Edited June 12, 2022 by Marathoner