09/11/10 GOD CARES ABOUT OUR POLITICS
The person who has not really encountered the real cost of discipleship in the face of State or violent persecution is often cavalier, but they call it "the courage of faith." It is one thing to bravely march into the jaws of the enemy, it is another to know your family and friends are going to suffer. I can rejoice and have joy in my suffering, but I have compassion for others and don't want them to suffer.
I readily admit I do not want to live in a society where women and children are raped and mutilated. I don't even want men to be brutalized. God does not want it either. So, I would rather see America come to Christ in times of blessing than in times of cursing. I would rather live in the dispensation of grace than the dispensation of law or the tribulation. I would rather live in a free society than an oppressive society.
Also, if a person does not want to be part of a religion that is vitally concerned with the government, law, morals of this world, then they better not be Christians. I am not politically oriented, but as a Christian I am either under the rule of darkness or the rule of Light. As Christians, we are not of this world, but we are still in this world. As Salt and Light we serve God in the preserving and the enlightening of this world. We are sent into the whole world to make disciples and as a result we will be considered as enemies of this world's systems of government, economy and religion.
Bible faith is vitally concerned with the ways of this world. There has always been a conflict between the King of kings and the kings of this world. We are Ambassadors for Christ, we are Soldiers of the Cross (and our banner is Peace). We are citizens of heaven and earth, but we are also servants of the Most High God, and we are strangers, aliens in a foreign land. As aliens, we are perceived to be enemies of this world, when in fact we are enemies of sin, Satan and wicked systems.
Jesus was born King of the Jews, and the Government is upon His shoulders. He is coming back to conquer and destroy His enemies and to sit upon a throne forever and ever.
In the mean time, we are suppose to occupy till He comes. We are not trying to make the kingdoms of this world His kingdom, we are trying to bring rebellious people to repentance and find mercy at the throne of the King of glory.