Christians and Political Activism

You've probably heard of The Moral Majority, you've probably also heard some TV or radio preacher (or perhaps your own) talk about political issues affecting areas such as:

1. Sexual Morality (especially with respect to public officials, and the "rights" of homosexuals)
2. Euthanasia
3. Abortion
4. Stem Cell Research (and it's tie-ins with human cloning)
5. 9/11 and other conspiracy theories
6. Political power grabs (FEMA and Homeland Security, among others)
7. Unfair taxes
8. Alternative Energy smoke and mirrors
9. Hate Crimes legislation
10. [Any number of other political issues]

Now, there's nothing wrong with pointing out that we have problems in this country, or for that matter, in the world. As I said, we appear to be living in the day of the generation that will see the rise of the Antichrist, the tribulation, and the return of Jesus Christ.

What I want to talk about is not so much the fact that people are talking about these and other issues, especially as they may possibly affect Christians and our ability to give testimony to the Truth of the God of the Bible, and the Christ who died to save men from sin. No, what I want to talk about here is the way many Christians go about talking about these issues.

First off, the Bible makes it clear that we are to "honour the king" (1 Peter 2:17). Now, I've heard the argument that the President, Congress, and the court system are not the same as a "king", but the Bible was written before there was a "President". In fact, 1 Peter 2:13-17 is all about honoring the law and those who govern us; obeying the law, insofar as it does not demand that we sin; and upholding the law, insofar as it does not ask us to disobey God.

Many Christian leaders, as well as their followers, attack the person of our leaders, as well as their actions. I do not believe this honours anyone. Also, our call is not to political action, but to spiritual action. I question the amount of time Christians spend trying to tear down our leaders, versus the amount of time they spend doing our calling: to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and Him crucified, to every people and nation and tribe.

Also, Peter warns in his second epistle that many deceivers will come, and among the list of characteristics of these deceivers are the following:

"... and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities." (2 Peter 2:10b)

Peter goes on to say, "Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord." (2 Peter 2:11) Hmm. Yet we bring accusations before our fellow Christians, and even before unbelievers!

But wait, there is more, "But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; and shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;" (2 Peter 2:12-13)

Perhaps we, as Christians, ought to examine ourselves and see if any of this describes us. Do we speak out against dignities without understanding? Do we really know the full story behind their actions? Even if they are preparing the way of the Antichrist, is it our job to speak out against them?

I believe that many Christians today have no concept of the ministry we were called unto by Christ. Jesus' ministry consisted of three things: spreading the Gospel (the good news of salvation through belief in His saving work on the cross), healing, and deliverance (from demons, curses, and evil soul and spirit ties). Jesus said that we would do the same things He did, and even greater.

Also, so many Christians join themselves with other "moral" people who are non-Christian (members of cults, moral humanists, agnostics, pagans and members of other "faiths") for the purpose of effecting political change. God says in His word that, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7: 14)

I ask you, have you humbled yourself, gotten on your knees and prayed, sought God's face, confessed your sin, and turned from your wicked ways? If not, why not?

If you have not, then do not expect to see God heal your land. It's not your job, it's His, your job is to obey.

For those of us who do follow the scriptures I've quoted, let us pray that our brothers and sisters in Christ will follow suit.

Yours in Christ,
PK

Signs of the Times

Okay, one of the topics I stated that I wanted to discuss here was signs of the times.

I've been watching what's been going on in the world, in this country, and around me here at home, for quite a few years now.

Some of the things I've noticed and/or done a little online research on are as follows:

1> Both the frequency and intensity of natural disasters have been visibly increasing over the last 120 or so years. Volcanic activity has reached a point where, if there are any "dormant" volcanoes any more, it may not be long before there are none. Weather is going crazy, no matter where you look.

2> Animals, birds, and insects that can be considered as scavengers are increasing in number, and moving into increasingly more populated areas.

3> In a book called "Our Headlong Rush to Oblivion", the author (before 9-11) wrote that progress alone would destroy us within 50 years, and there was nothing we could do to stop it. (Interestingly, I bought the book some years ago at Wal-Mart, and now I can't find reference to it on the internet.)

4> Spiritually, our nation, and perhaps the whole world (I can only attest to the United States of America's downward spiral) has been following the path found in Roman's 1:18-32.

5> Closely related to both 1> and 3> is the fact that we have not been very good stewards of the resources of this earth. Various resources are converted into forms that cannot be recycled, or are more toxic than the materials that went into them. We take no thought as to what we are doing when we overpackage products, drop trash on the ground, waste energy, drive when we could walk, build our cities to discourage use of bicycles and scooters (and nearly force people to own automobiles in order to get to work or to stores). We publicly claim we want to encourage conservation (promoting savings of 2-20% as wonderful), while privately we discourage anyone who really comes up with something that could save us 200% or more in any area of energy production/consumption.

6> Politically, whether we want to believe the conspiracy theories or not, we see power grabs and infringement of rights, nearly on a daily basis, in the name of "Homeland Security" and "Disaster Recovery". We've come to the point where a court can force someone to put their child through chemo-therapy, when they would rather try an alternative, first. Criminals have more rights than their victims. And it's legal for the military to experiment on our own citizens, while at the same time it's not legal for them to experiment on our enemies.

One may discount a few things as "coincidental", but each of these areas have an overwhelming number of things happening which point to the age that Christ spoke of in which, unless God shortened that age, there would be no flesh left on the earth.

Christ is returning, and it's sooner than you think.

What are you doing to prepare your family, friends, co-workers, strangers you meet at the bus stop, people you have contact and influence with, for the times to come? Are they ready? Do they know the Lord? You may be the only witness they will listen to. Be sure that your testimony is like a trumpet with a certain sound, for if the sound of the trumpet be uncertain, how will the people know to prepare?

My First BLOG.

Okay, I now have a blog.

Mind you, the first time I had any experience with anything like this, it was connecting to BBSes at 14.4k baud via modem. The main differences between this and that are:

1. You can afford to post here, no matter where in the world you are.

2. We can't get together and have a barbecue because of #1.

3. The real-time aspect of the BBSes I frequented (which had more than one modem) isn't here.

Regardless, I suppose you're wondering what this BLOG is going to be about.

Well, so am I.

First and foremost, this blog should be about issues that concern conservative Christians in these end times.

Stewardship: How were we supposed to care for this Earth and it's resources, both living and non-living?

End Times: I'll start with what I see as being signs of the end times, and refer to other materials as I find or can remember them.

Biblical Authenticity: Why I believe the King James Version is the Inspired Word of God for mankind today, with links to resources to back it up.

Creation vs. Evolution: Why I believe that Creation is the only explanation for origins that fits with science, and just what is "science" anyway?

Neglected Doctrines: Doctrines presented in the Bible, which the church (as a whole) tends to ignore or shy away from, such as healing and deliverance.

Well, those are some broad topics that seem to be good places to start.

I welcome all comments, but ask that those who make comments be civil about it. No foul language is allowed, and no attacking other people's character.

Now, join with me and let's see what we can discover along the journey?

PK