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K
We are to obey the governing authorities unless they try to force or permit us to go against God. (Romans 13:4). God also uses the ungodly. Look at Pharoh and Moses. Just like it was God's will for Christ to die, it was God's will for His people to be saved through water while His enemies die. God does punish lands with ungodly rulers. King Saul was the first king of the Israelites after Moses led them out of Egypt. God said I'm your king, but they insisted on having one like the other lands do, and they suffered for it. Now king David took Saul's place, but before that happened, when Saul was trying to kill David, David STILL showed respect to Saul because God had anointed Saul with authority. So, yes, we must show respect for those whom God puts in authority, and we must obey them, but we must not disobey God in order to obey them. But either way, we are to show respect, yes even to the ungodly authorities.
To Phil112 regarding your original post, Ephesians6:11-12 that you cited, tells us that we do not fight against earthly foes. The foes spoken about of course are spiritual ones like the angel who spoke to Daniel in Daniel 10:13 had to fight against. We are to resist earthly foes by not allowing ourselves to be drawn into sinful endeavors. As for physically fighting, that comes under the commands that Jesus gave us about he who draws the sword will die by the sword and turning the other cheek. We are to resist ungodly laws or rules made by the government, but I do not think we should physically fight members of the government.
Refraining from political activism is NOT the same thing as refraining from doing right. Sin takes two forms and neither is pleasing to the Lord, I love!
1) Sin is doing what you know is wrong. 2) Sin is holding back from doing what you know is right.
We are certainly responsible to help the helpless when it is within our power to do so even if there is risk involved.
My point is that responding to someone's need is totally different from responding to government even if it produces the same results.
1) Sin is doing what you know is wrong. 2) Sin is holding back from doing what you know is right.
We are certainly responsible to help the helpless when it is within our power to do so even if there is risk involved.
My point is that responding to someone's need is totally different from responding to government even if it produces the same results.
G
Look again at the OP.
No lasting harm? You don't understand! The temporary trials and afflictions of this life are temporary. And they do not compare to the eternal glory.
The Lord told Peter to put his sword away. So there are limits to its use.
"But to bury our head in the sand and act like the slave who buried his master's talent, is a most dangerous avenue to walk." What does this have to do with my response? Your head must have hit bedrock.
"You cannot bury your head when criminals are doing violence against young girls. Nor can you bury your head at what your government is doing to people all over."
You can say all you want as to what I can and cannot do. It makes no difference to me. Why? Because you are not my Lord.
"I'm not commanding you to run for Senate, but it would not hurt so long as you understood righteousness, and not some misguided ideas."
You are one arrogant weasel.
No lasting harm? You don't understand! The temporary trials and afflictions of this life are temporary. And they do not compare to the eternal glory.
The Lord told Peter to put his sword away. So there are limits to its use.
"But to bury our head in the sand and act like the slave who buried his master's talent, is a most dangerous avenue to walk." What does this have to do with my response? Your head must have hit bedrock.
"You cannot bury your head when criminals are doing violence against young girls. Nor can you bury your head at what your government is doing to people all over."
You can say all you want as to what I can and cannot do. It makes no difference to me. Why? Because you are not my Lord.
"I'm not commanding you to run for Senate, but it would not hurt so long as you understood righteousness, and not some misguided ideas."
You are one arrogant weasel.
G
Wow! You really think you are judge and jury. You're not.
Gr8grace wrote: We are to bring the light to the individual who is lost in the darkness of this world, we are not called to fix the darkness of this world.
And you think that is uncaring!
Hey weasel, did you know that first and primary mission of Christians is not political reform, it spiritual reform. When Jesus was a but a child, Herod slaughtered babies. When Jesus was a man, He was crucified by His enemies.
He didn't really do much with the political situation and the corrupt government. But He did save souls. And He left the world in the same condition as it was when He was born in the world. Full of hate, corruption, and sin. And that includes corrupt governments.
You twist and bend words and misinterpret and fail at comprehension.
Gr8grace wrote: We are to bring the light to the individual who is lost in the darkness of this world, we are not called to fix the darkness of this world.
And you think that is uncaring!
Hey weasel, did you know that first and primary mission of Christians is not political reform, it spiritual reform. When Jesus was a but a child, Herod slaughtered babies. When Jesus was a man, He was crucified by His enemies.
He didn't really do much with the political situation and the corrupt government. But He did save souls. And He left the world in the same condition as it was when He was born in the world. Full of hate, corruption, and sin. And that includes corrupt governments.
You twist and bend words and misinterpret and fail at comprehension.
G
From what I have read and How I understand Marc's post's, I think I understand what he is saying on this subject and I agree with him.
In the future, I may just join such a group. At this moment in time, I can still spread the Gospel freely and live the life that God has prepared for me. So this is my priority.When we can no longer freely give and spread the Gospel to others in this nation, this is probably when I grab the AR and join the fight........If the Lord has not come back.
And I shouldn't have to say this but I will, I vote, I have actively supported certain candidates, And I love and support our troops! I just try to keep the Lord Jesus Christ as my priority.
And I whole heartily believe that if the believer is growing in grace and knowledge, works at keeping his family in the right order,spreads the gospel to those around him and is living in Gods plan for his life.................I consider this as protecting our Nation. God takes care of and blesses His POSITIVE believers.
In the future, I may just join such a group. At this moment in time, I can still spread the Gospel freely and live the life that God has prepared for me. So this is my priority.When we can no longer freely give and spread the Gospel to others in this nation, this is probably when I grab the AR and join the fight........If the Lord has not come back.
And I shouldn't have to say this but I will, I vote, I have actively supported certain candidates, And I love and support our troops! I just try to keep the Lord Jesus Christ as my priority.
And I whole heartily believe that if the believer is growing in grace and knowledge, works at keeping his family in the right order,spreads the gospel to those around him and is living in Gods plan for his life.................I consider this as protecting our Nation. God takes care of and blesses His POSITIVE believers.
G
I agree to all you said except this: "When we can no longer freely give and spread the Gospel to others in this nation, this is probably when I grab the AR and join the fight."
Gr8, that's not the time to take up carnal weapons. No. Remember what Paul wrote in Philippians. He was in bonds for the cause of Christ. And by his faithfulness to Christ even while in bonds, the truth was spreading.
When the government or authorities issue laws against Christians and Christianity it is not for us to take up carnal weapons and fight against such laws.
However, What I like most in your response is this: "I just try to keep the Lord Jesus Christ as my priority." Amen.
Gr8, that's not the time to take up carnal weapons. No. Remember what Paul wrote in Philippians. He was in bonds for the cause of Christ. And by his faithfulness to Christ even while in bonds, the truth was spreading.
When the government or authorities issue laws against Christians and Christianity it is not for us to take up carnal weapons and fight against such laws.
However, What I like most in your response is this: "I just try to keep the Lord Jesus Christ as my priority." Amen.
P
Sergeant York is as much of a hero as this nation has ever had. Anyone that isn't familiar with, or at least heard his story, should read this to learn about him.
I bring this up for those who would aver that christians are never to pick up arms. Some on this thread belong to that opinion, and those are whom I am speaking to now.
I encourage you to read this article, all of it, and don't forget to include Sergeant York's statement on page two.
Then tell me this honestly - do you think Sergeant York was saved? He was a believer, but was he a christian?
Read this account carefully. It is riveting and there is much in it to make you wonder.
https://www.warhistoryonline.com/wa...ed-the-whole-german-army-no-sir-only-132.html
I bring this up for those who would aver that christians are never to pick up arms. Some on this thread belong to that opinion, and those are whom I am speaking to now.
I encourage you to read this article, all of it, and don't forget to include Sergeant York's statement on page two.
Then tell me this honestly - do you think Sergeant York was saved? He was a believer, but was he a christian?
Read this account carefully. It is riveting and there is much in it to make you wonder.
https://www.warhistoryonline.com/wa...ed-the-whole-german-army-no-sir-only-132.html