What is our role as Christian's in American Politics?

[Jelly]

I was wondering if someone could help me understand if we as Christian's should be fighting for our liberty in this country? I am so confused on this topic. There seems to be 2 sides. The Patriots vs the meek who don't get involved at all.
What is the biblical view on standing up and fighting for our country as it turns further and further away from God? Thanks for any help with this.
Jen

 

[Hekuran]

It's a good question. Unfortunately, political tensions are so high now that it's not easy to have a measured conversation.

The role of politics is to build a society that is just, and in which everyone flourishes.

But the kingdom of God grows independently of governments (think mustard seeds, yeast), so it is the place of the church collectively to seek to turn a nation to God.

 

[Jelly]

It's a good question. Unfortunately, political tensions are so high now that it's not easy to have a measured conversation.

The role of politics is to build a society that is just, and in which everyone flourishes.

But the kingdom of God grows independently of governments (think mustard seeds, yeast), so it is the place of the church collectively to seek to turn a nation to God.

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I was just wondering as America is supposed to be a Christian nation and a light to the world of that is "true" why have the churches gone silent?
I am so confused Jesus was not passive yet the church is mainly silent when we have an opportunity to spread the Gospel.
I also heard a Christian Patriot say God is a God of Justice and we should be holding our leaders accountable. If we just sit passively by allowing our country to turn from God then we are guilty in God's eyes?
I am just asking questions because I honestly don't know how I am to respond as a Christian.

 

[Trevor]

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I was just wondering as America is supposed to be a Christian nation and a light to the world of that is "true" why have the churches gone silent?
I am so confused Jesus was not passive yet the church is mainly silent when we have an opportunity to spread the Gospel.
I also heard a Christian Patriot say God is a God of Justice and we should be holding our leaders accountable. If we just sit passively by allowing our country to turn from God then we are guilty in God's eyes?
I am just asking questions because I honestly don't know how I am to respond as a Christian.

How can it be your country Jelly, scripture tells you your an alien and a stranger in this world. You can't have it both ways.

 

[Jelly]

How can it be your country Jelly, scripture tells you your an alien and a stranger in this world. You can't have it both ways.

That's why I am asking questions. I know I don't belong here but God has blessed our nation (at least that is what Christians always say) because we are a godly people. People look on America as a Christian nation or at least did. Aren't we supposed to hold our government accountable for injustice, since God is a God of Justice? Or are we supposed to show the world Christ by what we do? But Christians (not all) seem to just sit waiting to be raptured.
It's just frustrating not to be able to talk about these things.
I appreciate you taking the time to respond.
Jen

 

[Hekuran]

I'm not in America, so I'll not comment directly on US politics. Whether or not a nation identifies as 'Christian' doesn't seem to me to make much difference. Its much more useful to consider are the laws and policies of the government just.

Yes, we should be active in promoting justice - whether that's at the community level, charitable, or political - or a mix.

 

[Trevor]

That's why I am asking questions. I know I don't belong here but God has blessed our nation (at least that is what Christians always say) because we are a godly people. People look on America as a Christian nation or at least did. Aren't we supposed to hold our government accountable for injustice, since God is a God of Justice? Or are we supposed to show the world Christ by what we do? But Christians (not all) seem to just sit waiting to be raptured.
It's just frustrating not to be able to talk about these things.
I appreciate you taking the time to respond.
Jen

Hi Jen,
Romans 13:1-2 Everyone must submit himself (or herself) to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgement on themselves.
1Timothy 2:1-2 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intersession and thanksgiving be made for everyone --for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
We are not of the world Jen, we are of God's kingdom. We're not called to get involved with the world, we're called to pray for it. God is bringing about his prophesies. At times it may appear to us, that his methods are somewhat opposed to our idea of what is needed, but then we're not God who is the wisest of all. bless you.

 

[Ivan Chamurliev]

I was wondering if someone could help me understand if we as Christian's should be fighting for our liberty in this country? I am so confused on this topic. There seems to be 2 sides. The Patriots vs the meek who don't get involved at all.
What is the biblical view on standing up and fighting for our country as it turns further and further away from God? Thanks for any help with this.
Jen

I think that we us Christians no matter where we are, the situation in which we live, we need to be a positive influence for our surroundings. The Bible says that we need to be God's fragrance no matter where we go.
2 Corinthians 2:14,15
The question is that some things are inevitable and unfortunately, there are not many Christians involved in the politics and any country or place you go, the political area is been always a temptation for those involved in it. There is too much power and money there, so that most of the people quickly forget the good intentions they had when they stepped into it.
There are also prophesies in the Bible that need to come in place and that's why the politics will become and in part they are already possessed by Satan. He is influencing the rulers of this world. This is how he can get a maggior control through promoting laws that go against God's will. I perfectly agree with the statement that we need to be submitted to the authorities, but a time is coming when they will try to put on laws that go completely against God's will and then we will have to take our stand. Then those of us who are really new born Christians will not be able to obey. Remember the story of the book of Daniel? When his three friends were forced to bow down to the statue that was erected, they didn't.
We have to anyway influence in a Christian way as much as we can our surroundings, the person's next to us and why not the politics. The question is that we can hardly get in there to do it, but this is what God wants us to do. To spread the gospel anywhere and anyhow, in time and out of time. We need to do it until it can be still done freely.
Somethings unfortunately are meant to happen and the devil is going to take more and more control and territory before he gets removed and before his judgement comes. We need to persevere into the faith.

 

[Trevor]

I think that we us Christians no matter where we are, the situation in which we live, we need to be a positive influence for our surroundings. The Bible says that we need to be God's fragrance no matter where we go.
2 Corinthians 2:14,15
The question is that some things are inevitable and unfortunately, there are not many Christians involved in the politics and any country or place you go, the political area is been always a temptation for those involved in it. There is too much power and money there, so that most of the people quickly forget the good intentions they had when they stepped into it.
There are also prophesies in the Bible that need to come in place and that's why the politics will become and in part they are already possessed by Satan. He is influencing the rulers of this world. This is how he can get a maggior control through promoting laws that go against God's will. I perfectly agree with the statement that we need to be submitted to the authorities, but a time is coming when they will try to put on laws that go completely against God's will and then we will have to take our stand. Then those of us who are really new born Christians will not be able to obey. Remember the story of the book of Daniel? When his three friends were forced to bow down to the statue that was erected, they didn't.
We have to anyway influence in a Christian way as much as we can our surroundings, the person's next to us and why not the politics. The question is that we can hardly get in there to do it, but this is what God wants us to do. To spread the gospel anywhere and anyhow, in time and out of time. We need to do it until it can be still done freely.
Somethings unfortunately are meant to happen and the devil is going to take more and more control and territory before he gets removed and before his judgement comes. We need to persevere into the faith.

I agree Ivan, we are told that those in authority are there because God put them there. I believe he put them there, knowing the decisions they make will bring about the prophesies in scripture. We are called to promote the kingdom of heaven and the fact that it is there for all who are seeking redemption. Our commission as a Royal Priesthood is to spread the good news. And I agree that we are called to obey the law of the land, but only until it conflicts with Gods Word, then we stand by our King. If we can't witness publicly then we will have to do it privately, until we are arrested and then we are called to witness to the authorities and maybe to kings, although I can't see her Maj, wishing to hear my testimony. I believe we as Christians need to seriously take heed of the times we are living in and start to prepare for society turning against us. If we don't, we could fall by the wayside.

 

[rag4acrown1]

Give unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, give unto God the things that are God's.

We pay our tax, and abide by the laws the governing officials have implemented upon us.
We shouldn't put ourselves in a place to have the finger pointed at us.

God bless.

 

[Brad Huber]

Give unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, give unto God the things that are God's.

We pay our tax, and abide by the laws the governing officials have implemented upon us.
We shouldn't put ourselves in a place to have the finger pointed at us.

God bless.

Only laws that are not against God's laws. When leaders do not follow their own laws (constitution), and have a set of laws that they are exempt from, they not us are the lawbreakers.

 

[B-A-C]

Dan 3:14; Nebuchadnezzar responded and said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up?
Dan 3:15; "Now if you are ready, at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery and bagpipe and all kinds of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, very well. But if you do not worship, you will immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire; and what god is there who can deliver you out of my hands?"
Dan 3:16; Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter.
Dan 3:17; "If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king.
Dan 3:18; "But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."

2Thes 2:3; Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,
2Thes 2:4; who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.

Rev 13:4; they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?"

Rev 14:9; Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand,
Rev 14:10; he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.
Rev 14:11; "And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name."

 

[Hekuran]

We are not of the world Jen, we are of God's kingdom. We're not called to get involved with the world, we're called to pray for it

I'm not sure about this @Trevor. Imagine that suddenly everybody in the country turned to Jesus and followed him as their Lord and saviour. Hallelujah!

We'd still need to make decisions that pertain to this world though. Who would collect the rubbish? How much would they be paid, and who would pay them?

Every functioning society needs to have some sort of system of decision making and authority. Even though we belong to a higher authority, does that absolve us of responsibility for the lesser authority?

 

[Trevor]

I'm not sure about this @Trevor. Imagine that suddenly everybody in the country turned to Jesus and followed him as their Lord and saviour. Hallelujah!

We'd still need to make decisions that pertain to this world though. Who would collect the rubbish? How much would they be paid, and who would pay them?

Every functioning society needs to have some sort of system of decision making and authority. Even though we belong to a higher authority, does that absolve us of responsibility for the lesser authority?

We're in it but not of it Hekuran, Jesus was a carpenter, The apostle Paul was a tent maker, Peter was a fisherman and at various times they plied their trades. We are called to obey the authorities, and we do, until or unless the authorities go against the Word of God. As for becoming involved in the political system, such as joining political parties and voting. We are told that "there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgement on themselves". Romans 13:1-2. What if a believer was to vote, and their choice differed from the person God had decided to give the authority too. Could that be construed as going against God's choice? and could going against God's choice be seen as rebelling? Nowhere in scripture are we called to vote, but we are called to pray for those God has chosen. Bless you.

 

[Hekuran]

We're in it but not of it Hekuran, Jesus was a carpenter, The apostle Paul was a tent maker, Peter was a fisherman and at various times they plied their trades. We are called to obey the authorities, and we do, until or unless the authorities go against the Word of God. As for becoming involved in the political system, such as joining political parties and voting. We are told that "there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgement on themselves". Romans 13:1-2. What if a believer was to vote, and their choice differed from the person God had decided to give the authority too. Could that be construed as going against God's choice? and could going against God's choice be seen as rebelling? Nowhere in scripture are we called to vote, but we are called to pray for those God has chosen. Bless you.

Thanks. I understand your position. But if everybody turned to Christ, who would make such worldly decisions as who would empty the bins?

 

[Trevor]

Thanks. I understand your position. But if everybody turned to Christ, who would make such worldly decisions as who would empty the bins?

Hi Hekuran, Many Christians are bin men, and the reason God chose the authorities he chose was because he knew they would make the decisions that he wanted, I don't believe everyone will turn to Christ, if that were to happen, who would the Royal Priesthood minister too? bless you.

 

[Trevor]

Hi Hekuran, the levity in your post didn't escape me , but to answer it with the importance it deserves; The reason we are called to pray for those in authority, is so that they will be given the wisdom from God to deal with these matters. Surely, to take these matters into our own hands is to doubt that God can deal with it.

 

[Hekuran]

You know, when I'm being silly, that's I a sign that I'm really serious It doesn't look like either of us is going to convince the other, and that's ok. I would say in response to your last point that it's precisely because God is in charge that we should be active in every sphere of life, including politics.

What we do agree on: we should pray for our leaders, and we submit to their authority unless to do so would be disobedient to God.

The orginal question is 'what is our role in politics?' We can say that there is no single Christian view on this. Good, faithful christians have very different approaches so we each need to apply wisdom and discernment.

 

[Trevor]

You know, when I'm being silly, that's I a sign that I'm really serious It doesn't look like either of us is going to convince the other, and that's ok. I would say in response to your last point that it's precisely because God is in charge that we should be active in every sphere of life, including politics.

What we do agree on: we should pray for our leaders, and we submit to their authority unless to do so would be disobedient to God.

The orginal question is 'what is our role in politics?' We can say that there is no single Christian view on this. Good, faithful christians have very different approaches so we each need to apply wisdom and discernment.

I'll go along with that Hekuran, may the Lord bless us both and lead us into the truth. Trevor.

 

[rag4acrown1]

Only laws that are not against God's laws. When leaders do not follow their own laws (constitution), and have a set of laws that they are exempt from, they not us are the lawbreakers.

Well of course.
So where is the uprising of Christ laws when our govt passed the law that men and marry men?
Must b 2 busy chasing the mark of the beast and this world's godly money.
God bless