Has anyone else noticed just how much Glenn Beck has been talking about God lately on his show? I find it amazing and as he readily admits, he believes the only way to restore America to her former greatness is for divine intervention to occur.
What does surprise me (well sort of) is how many people who call themselves evangelical Christians are supporting Beck and his rally. Why do I have a problem with this? Glenn Beck is a Mormon for one. And how does he know God wants to restore America to her former greatness?
In 2 Corinthians 6:14-15 we read, "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?"
So lets give these people the benefit of the doubt and say the we know God wants to restore the USA. However, these same people (many who claim to be Christians) are hooking themselves up with an unbeliever. Why are we trying to use the world, no matter how clean cut beck maybe, to try to restore America? Doesn't this directly contradict the above Scripture?
Another point to consider is that when Beck talks about God, he is not referring to the God of the Bible, but the god of Mormonism. The god of the Mormons is a totally different being than God the Father. Check out here what Mormons teach and believe about their God.
CNN reported here that there was much controversy surrounding Glenn Beck's rally. They weren't only talking politically either. Christians have taken sides as well. Some say, "There is no need to 'de-Christianize' each other over the matter." The thing is there's no way we could "de-Christianize" Beck because he isn't a Christian to begin with!
As a challenge to my fellow Christians, please consider whether the Lord Jesus would have you participating in a rally that is being headed up by non-Christians. "What fellowship has light with darkness?"
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
On Relating to the Government
How is a Christian supposed to view and relate to an earthly government? Is it by getting involved with the system, trying to reform it, or is there a different way? I believe the Bible gives clear answers to this issue.
"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way." (1 Tim. 2:1-2)
Verses like these encourage us to remember our government leaders in prayer, not to get involved in politics and try to bring about godliness through a corrupt system.
We also must realize that God calls us to be subject to all "higher powers" (Rom 13:1). God has set up and allowed all governments, no matter how evil they appear to be. For some reason, in God's divine sovereignty, He allows corrupt politicans and rulers to be set up over people. Think of Jesus, He lived under the most corrupt and missued political powers of His day (Rome), but He did not speak out against it or try to reform it. Instead He went about His Father's business which was healing the physically and spiritually broken people around Him.
However, if our leaders are telling us to do something that goes against the Word of God, we must not do it. We have to be like the apostles and the early church and obey God rather than man.
A verse that brings much comfort to me is Proverbs 21:1, "The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will." The Lord rules over all, including wicked men who seem to have much power and use it for evil purposes. All of God's children can rest in the fact that He rules and reigns in the heavens and no matter what men say and do, He can work it for good. PTL!
"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way." (1 Tim. 2:1-2)
Verses like these encourage us to remember our government leaders in prayer, not to get involved in politics and try to bring about godliness through a corrupt system.
We also must realize that God calls us to be subject to all "higher powers" (Rom 13:1). God has set up and allowed all governments, no matter how evil they appear to be. For some reason, in God's divine sovereignty, He allows corrupt politicans and rulers to be set up over people. Think of Jesus, He lived under the most corrupt and missued political powers of His day (Rome), but He did not speak out against it or try to reform it. Instead He went about His Father's business which was healing the physically and spiritually broken people around Him.
However, if our leaders are telling us to do something that goes against the Word of God, we must not do it. We have to be like the apostles and the early church and obey God rather than man.
A verse that brings much comfort to me is Proverbs 21:1, "The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will." The Lord rules over all, including wicked men who seem to have much power and use it for evil purposes. All of God's children can rest in the fact that He rules and reigns in the heavens and no matter what men say and do, He can work it for good. PTL!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Social or Spiritual Reform?
Here in the USA, there is much talk about taking back our country for the Lord. In effect, this would be getting our "conservative" candidates elected, banning abortion, and removing filthy magazines so they can't be sold. However, is this what Jesus and the apostles did?
Never in the Bible do we see Jesus or His followers seeking to reform the government (social reform). It appears that Jesus expected the pagan government to act is if it was just that, pagan! Yes, Jesus called on them to repent (spiritual reform).
He did not point out the corruption in politics, but instead pointed out the corruption of the religious leaders. Jesus was, as it seemed, very harsh when it came to the spiritual establishment. He even went so far as to call the Pharisees and Sadducees, the spiritual leaders of the day, vipers (Matt. 3:7) and whitewashed tombs (Matt. 23:27)! Jesus had more interest in purifying and building the Kingdom of God than he had in the reform of the earthly kingdoms which involves politics and government.
So, are we as Christians to be out there trying to take back our country for the Lord? I don't think that's what the Lord calls us to. We are called to make disciples (Matt. 28:18-20) and pray for our leaders (1 Tim. 2:1-2), not try to become influential in politics. True change won't come through politics and governmental reform, but through the Church arising to the task which is before her!
Never in the Bible do we see Jesus or His followers seeking to reform the government (social reform). It appears that Jesus expected the pagan government to act is if it was just that, pagan! Yes, Jesus called on them to repent (spiritual reform).
He did not point out the corruption in politics, but instead pointed out the corruption of the religious leaders. Jesus was, as it seemed, very harsh when it came to the spiritual establishment. He even went so far as to call the Pharisees and Sadducees, the spiritual leaders of the day, vipers (Matt. 3:7) and whitewashed tombs (Matt. 23:27)! Jesus had more interest in purifying and building the Kingdom of God than he had in the reform of the earthly kingdoms which involves politics and government.
So, are we as Christians to be out there trying to take back our country for the Lord? I don't think that's what the Lord calls us to. We are called to make disciples (Matt. 28:18-20) and pray for our leaders (1 Tim. 2:1-2), not try to become influential in politics. True change won't come through politics and governmental reform, but through the Church arising to the task which is before her!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Isaiah 10:1-2
"Woe to those enacting crooked statutes and writing oppressive laws. to keep the poor from getting a fair trial and to deprive the afflicted among my people of justice, so that widows can be their spoil and they can plunder the fatherless." (Is. 10:1-2 HCSB)
These two verse jumped off the page this morning as I was reading the Bible. The Bible says that woe will come upon those making wrong laws. Sound familiar? We live in a land were laws are constantly being signed that make things God calls sin, legal and ok. Take abortion for instance. Many people in our government are pushing for more rights for abortion (murder) providers. Our own President wants to make this more acceptable and will probably do so by signing the Freedom of Choice Act.
However, God says "Woe" to them. It is not a good thing for a nation to slip so far that God says woe. We are again living in a time when nations are writing oppressive laws. Will political activism save us? I doubt it! Will prayer and repentance? Very likely!
"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (1 Tim. 2:1-4 ESV)
These two verse jumped off the page this morning as I was reading the Bible. The Bible says that woe will come upon those making wrong laws. Sound familiar? We live in a land were laws are constantly being signed that make things God calls sin, legal and ok. Take abortion for instance. Many people in our government are pushing for more rights for abortion (murder) providers. Our own President wants to make this more acceptable and will probably do so by signing the Freedom of Choice Act.
However, God says "Woe" to them. It is not a good thing for a nation to slip so far that God says woe. We are again living in a time when nations are writing oppressive laws. Will political activism save us? I doubt it! Will prayer and repentance? Very likely!
"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (1 Tim. 2:1-4 ESV)
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