The New Normal - A Child Out of Wedlock

[bbyrd009]

Hard to see sometimes that wheat is growing also, in the tares. We can't pull tares--well, you can try--we are called to grow wheat.

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by bbyrd009

Hard to see sometimes that wheat is growing also, in the tares. We can't pull tares--well, you can try--we are called to grow wheat.

I'm not getting what your getting at????

[Titus2woman]

I think that he getting at that rather than try to conform the world to our way of thinking and doing it by force we should be growing the kingdom (sorry byrd if I missed).

There are godly people out there doing the right thing... they may seem few but they have the potential to multiply.

We often try to legislate behavior, in example: refusing same sex marriage to gay couples or insisting that people get married if they are going to have children... But what we are missing is that without the spirit there is no reason they SHOULD be wanting to do the right thing. Our job is not to conform the lost to our way of thinking/acting/being but to help them know the God that will change their hearts/minds/lives.

The only way we will see a world that looks like the Kingdom is to expand the Kingdom, one soul at a time

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

I think that he getting at that rather than try to conform the world to our way of thinking and doing it by force we should be growing the kingdom (sorry byrd if I missed).

There are godly people out there doing the right thing... they may seem few but they have the potential to multiply.

We often try to legislate behavior, in example: refusing same sex marriage to gay couples or insisting that people get married if they are going to have children... But what we are missing is that without the spirit there is no reason they SHOULD be wanting to do the right thing. Our job is not to conform the lost to our way of thinking/acting/being but to help them know the God that will change their hearts/minds/lives.

The only way we will see a world that looks like the Kingdom is to expand the Kingdom, one soul at a time

That's why I'm not a big fan of Christians being political activists. While I do believe that we should do our best to protect society as a whole from impinging evils, legislating righteousness will not actually bring about righteousness, and often has the opposite effect. People who try to impose righteousness upon themselves without the spirit of God are fighting a losing battle with their own humanity.

Far too often, the Christian who involves himself deeply in politics becomes Peter with a maiming sword rather than a positive, persuasive voice in a dark world.

[CC1]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

That's why I'm not a big fan of Christians being political activists. While I do believe that we should do our best to protect society as a whole from impinging evils, legislating righteousness will not actually bring about righteousness, and often has the opposite effect. People who try to impose righteousness upon themselves without the spirit of God are fighting a losing battle with their own humanity.

Far too often, the Christian who involves himself deeply in politics becomes Peter with a maiming sword rather than a positive, persuasive voice in a dark world.

I understand what you are saying but I think it is all in how you go about it. If you have an unchristian attitude in political activism then it is in vain and counter productive.

However if you advocate for good policies, legislation, and canidates who support the same in the right manner I believe you are fulfilling your Christian duty to do what you can to make things the best they can be.

For example if we don't stand up for freedom of religion we will have no one to blame but ourselves when the government starts controlling our churches by limiting freedom of speech there ,etc. We just have to do it in the right way!

[Titus2woman]

Originally Posted by CC1

I understand what you are saying but I think it is all in how you go about it. If you have an unchristian attitude in political activism then it is in vain and counter productive.

However if you advocate for good policies, legislation, and canidates who support the same in the right manner I believe you are fulfilling your Christian duty to do what you can to make things the best they can be.

For example if we don't stand up for freedom of religion we will have no one to blame but ourselves when the government starts controlling our churches by limiting freedom of speech there ,etc. We just have to do it in the right way!

Agree! Like all things, it's about the heart.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by CC1

I understand what you are saying but I think it is all in how you go about it. If you have an unchristian attitude in political activism then it is in vain and counter productive.

However if you advocate for good policies, legislation, and canidates who support the same in the right manner I believe you are fulfilling your Christian duty to do what you can to make things the best they can be.

For example if we don't stand up for freedom of religion we will have no one to blame but ourselves when the government starts controlling our churches by limiting freedom of speech there ,etc. We just have to do it in the right way!

I agree with you on principle. A friend of mine posted this video link, which is well worth watching:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y2KsU_dhwI

However, in my experience, even with good intentions we are ultimately still human, and often our best intentions do more harm than good.

For the record, I don't recall any scripture that makes it our Christian duty to be involved in politics. These are the things I believe we should focus on:

James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

and

Acts 2:40-47 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers....they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

In direct regard to politics and government, this is the passage I believe we should live by, to the best of our ability:

Romans 13:1-7

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honor.

Bottom Line: As citizens we have certain obligations, but as Christians we have greater obligations. When the two conflict, the principles of Christianity need to win out. Our job is to change the world one person at a time from the inside out. Environmental changes are important, but they pale in comparison.

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

That's why I'm not a big fan of Christians being political activists. While I do believe that we should do our best to protect society as a whole from impinging evils, legislating righteousness will not actually bring about righteousness, and often has the opposite effect. People who try to impose righteousness upon themselves without the spirit of God are fighting a losing battle with their own humanity.

Far too often, the Christian who involves himself deeply in politics becomes Peter with a maiming sword rather than a positive, persuasive voice in a dark world.

[Titus2woman]