— Critical issues concerning the Church —

Fellow Soldier,

We thank God for America with it’s godly conception, pious slogans and waning freedoms.  However, the closer one walks with God, the more alienated they’re destined to become from it and the world — as well as from the apostate church.

Scripture minces no words nor withholds a syllable re: the divine displeasure, danger and likelihood of the church co-mingling the holy things of God with all that is fallen.  And be not mistaken, the body of Christ is an holy organism.  For that reason, the Spirit ever reminds of the imperative to direct our affections away from the world (Babylonian system) and to the kingdom (government) of God.  The Bible exhorts, pleads and warns believers to come out of the world; to disengage from its deadly dereliction.

Christians & Politics

Christians should not be politically involved.

"And I heard another voice from heaven, saying,  Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." — Rev 18:4

Ever since God and Country were wed at the altar of compromise, to say a Christian should not vote, borders on heresy in today’s dominionist church culture.  Indeed, some fellowships go so far as to set up voter registration tables and put on July 4th extravaganzas, inviting the fallen world to join in further polluting the sanctified gatherings of Christ’s blood-washed.  Strange perceptions of, “Come out of her.”

Today, for a Christian to not be politically active or view him or herself as a member of the Religious Right, is tantamount to back-sliding; not to mention, unpatriotic, unfaithful to the nation’s founding ideals and ungrateful to God.  These aside, there’s NO Bible basis for God’s own to be politically involved.

Government, yes — Politics, NO.

It’s important for Christians to understand these terms in order to know how to apply what God expects in their regard.  They are related much as an automobile is to a mechanic.  The first is an existent system, whereas the latter relates to persons involved in its maintenance.  Legitimate civil government is a divinely decreed order of rulership and authority over a body of people.  Whereas, politicians, be they professional or dinner-table variety, are people concerned with the function and leadership of that system; they are involved in its working.

Though many people drive cars, most are not mechanics; that would be inappropriate.  Similarly, we are all subject to government authority, but it does not follow that all citizens should be involved in it’s operation or maintenance.  Scripture is clear regarding a Christian’s relationship and responsibilities to government ... and conspicuously silent regarding our involvement in it.  The latter should not be construed as tacit approval for believers to be politically active; no more than we should engage in slavery.

Under Old Testament theocratic government, God appointed His own to positions of authority (Moses, Joseph, Esther, David, etc.).  However, in today’s secular government, a “position” is typically gained by personal striving. This isn’t to say God is no longer involved, or necessarily uses believers.  Because we might not know His appointees, we couldn’t even vote in agreement with Him (Prov 21:1).  All civil and Church government are God’s business (Dan 4:17) and nowhere in the Bible are His people granted the prerogative of selecting their leaders.  He does NOT invite us to vote in either realm.

"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God" (Rom 13:1).  Listed in verses 1-8 are four God-ordained authorities: (1) government over citizens, (2) Church over believers, (3) parents over children (4) employers over employees.  Paul further explains that civil government is appointed by God to maintain order, reward good and restrain sin in a fallen world.  Included in this brief treatise on Christian conduct, is an order to submit to all such authority: "If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honour, then honour" (vs 7b).

We must distinguish between working to subsist, or employed to influence the government or some civic agenda — no matter how noble, patriotic or righteous-sounding the motive.  That includes running for political office, the school board, Elks, PTA, etc. ... or casting a ballot.  These all constitute “entanglements” with the the world’s Babylonian system.  A Christian’s end is the kingdom (government) of God ... in which we also have NO vote.

Come out of her!

Book-ending the Bible is the scriptural command for God’s people to disengage from the world per 1John 2:15.  To that end, we are consistently portrayed as pilgrims passing through a foreign land.  From Abram’s search "... for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker [is] God" (Heb 11:10) — to John the apostle’s revelation, when he saw "... the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband" (Rev 21:2).  We are called by God, sanctified by Christ, then empowered by the Spirit to pass through this world without undue entanglement (2Tim 2:4).  We are to keep our minds set on God’s kingdom and eyes fixed upon our destiny: the New Jerusalem and King Jesus.

We’re to engage the world only to the extent legally required and necessary to subsist — provided we do not compromise the transcendent Word of God.  Since we’re merely passing through this fallen world, we have no business promoting it’s systems.  "Let the dead bury the dead and follow after me, adjures Jesus.  Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues" (Rev 18:4).  “Come out!”  These short, one-syllable words challenge in ways we routinely ignore; political activity being but one.  Do you “vote-in” church leadership? That Babylonian concept is not for Christians and is a trespass on God’s turf.  Democratic, but not theocratic.  Do you have auto insurance?  Likely ... if required by law.  How about voluntary life, fire, health, disability, etc?  Don’t get mad at me now — but in whom or upon what does your security TRULY rest?

Implicit in trying to alter the political system by voting, is the need to know the issues and candidates.  That requires investigation, study and time.  Can you NOT see how glaringly that conflicts with the overriding come out command?  “But,” you might argue, “America is a gift from God and we have a responsibility to help preserve it’s way of life for our children.” Really?  Who told you that?  I’ll bet you a box of Girl Scout cookies and a glass of milk you didn’t learn it from the Bible.  The world told you that!  The dominionist-deceived within the church have probably hammered you with that noble sounding, but worldly idea.  I DO understand the sentiment, though it’s about as biblical as psychology, yoga, fire insurance, Benny, Bentley, booze and TBN.  Don’t blame it on God!  Christians have no call to “save” America from its divine destiny (or the planet, for that fact).  Our nation’s political and economic systems will eventually collapse under the weight of sin.  Let’s be clear about this: America offers opportunities to vote, run for office or be otherwise involved.  It is equally lawful to NOT.  It isn’t obligatory.  Political and civic leadership are options (like sinning, sunning and surfing).

The Bible reminds that we are in this world, but not of it.  It tells us to pray, disengage from the world’s system, grow up in Christ, do the work of an evangelist and prepare for eternity by following the lord.  He told the Scribes and Pharisees (the religious crowd): "Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world" (Jn 8:23).  If He would not even have disciples resist His arrest and eventual execution, how can we possibly believe He would have us tinker with today’s political system?  Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews" (Jn 18:36).  We clay vessels of the Spirit temporarily hold dual citizenship in diametrically opposed kingdoms; two governments: God’s and Satan’s.  Which do you choose to trust and participate in?  Yes ... it is “either/or” and make no mistake, a choice with eternal consequences.  "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other" (Mt 6:24a).

Within the bounds of allegiance to God, we obey civil law.  We’re also to be Christ’s witnesses; lights in this dark world and make "... supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks ... for all men; For kings, and [for] all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this [is] good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour" (1Tim 2:1-3).  We’re to pray for descendants; their salvation and growth in the Lord.  Dare I suggest we also redirect time now devoted to politics, to pray for and encourage our families and others in the faith?  Isn’t it more biblical and pleasing to God to disciple a son, brother, nephew, niece or neighbor, than to perennially study the vagaries of the political landscape?  You know those answers!  Two kingdoms; two citizenships: seen-unseen; temporal-eternal; black or white; Satan’s-God’s.  Which will YOU die to ... and die for?

I hope this challenges you to rethink political involvement and question the myriad ways that, as a Christian, you might be entangled with the world.  Jesus makes clear that to the degree we love it, we do not love Him.  "Do not love the world or anything in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him ... If you love me, you will obey what I command ... Be ye holy; for I am holy" (1Jn 2:15; Jn 14:15; 1Pet 1:16).  Let’s vote for Jesus!

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