Applying God's Word to Politics
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The current political machinations regarding the national budget prompt consideration of how to apply GW to that topic, such as
Matthew 19:21 (part): “…Give to the poor…” and Ephesians 4:28 (part): “…He must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.”
Although Jesus said that we will always have the poor with us (MT 26:11), the New Testament indicates that we should try to alleviate poverty in various ways such as by helping widows and orphans (JM 1:27). Hopefully, if the rich share their wealth, then poor people will not need to steal in order to survive.
The apostle Paul said (in 2THS 3:10) that “If a man will not work, he shall not eat” and again (in 1TM 5:8) that “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” His desire (per 2CR 8:13) is that there might be “equality”, which in this context seems to mean an equal opportunity to earn a living rather than mandatory conformity to a communist system.
In summary, we can discern that the will of God is for people who are able to work to seek employment, so that earning a fair wage will provide at least the basic necessities plus something (a tithe per Malachi 3:8-10) left over for charity, but how does this understanding affect our opinions about how much to spend for healthcare, retirement income and national defense?
Matthew 19:21 (part): “…Give to the poor…” and Ephesians 4:28 (part): “…He must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.”
Although Jesus said that we will always have the poor with us (MT 26:11), the New Testament indicates that we should try to alleviate poverty in various ways such as by helping widows and orphans (JM 1:27). Hopefully, if the rich share their wealth, then poor people will not need to steal in order to survive.
The apostle Paul said (in 2THS 3:10) that “If a man will not work, he shall not eat” and again (in 1TM 5:8) that “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” His desire (per 2CR 8:13) is that there might be “equality”, which in this context seems to mean an equal opportunity to earn a living rather than mandatory conformity to a communist system.
In summary, we can discern that the will of God is for people who are able to work to seek employment, so that earning a fair wage will provide at least the basic necessities plus something (a tithe per Malachi 3:8-10) left over for charity, but how does this understanding affect our opinions about how much to spend for healthcare, retirement income and national defense?
Somewhere between obligation and neccessity. We are (as I understand it) the most Gospel-rich nation on earth, and, as it would have it, few nations exceed our distribution of wealth to the common man. So, therein we are presented something more than neccessity. For ''those who have been given much, shall much be required.'' By and large, that seems to have played out well for healthcare and retirement, but, given the rails missing of that train run by that last admin., many a patriot wondered the same, “Can the, ,captives of a tyrant be rescued?” (Isaiah 49:24). Apparently, as DOGE has brought to light, the accounting has suffered for years with much resistance to being audited at all making a mockery of our check and balances.
Now, it seems some relief has transpired, seeing not just sweeping reforms, but a good old-fashioned shakedown decades over due so those spreadsheets will begin to make some educated sense of how much to spend on defense?
Yes, and unfortunately the fix requires many on the government dole to experience some pain as we transition
to an economy in which they actually must work--at least until they are replaced by robots!
Not sure how this relates to GW, but should a district court judge have the ability to stop a U.S. President's actions across the entire country? Surely not!
And if not, should the U.S. Supreme Court immediately step in to halt such judicial overreach by the district judge instead of warning the President against advocating for impeachment?
And if not, should the U.S. Supreme Court immediately step in to halt such judicial overreach by the district judge instead of warning the President against advocating for impeachment?
The NT is mainly concerned with how to be saved and behave, but are there any teachings that are relevant for social policy? Jesus once stated that “the poor you will always have with you” (MT 26:11). However, He also taught us to “give to the poor” (MT 19:21). These verses suggest that we should do our best to alleviate, if not completely eliminate, the problems related to poverty.
We know that “You shall not steal” (EX 20:15) is the eighth of the Ten Commandments (TOJ #110). Yet, implicit in the command of Jesus is that if the rich share their wealth, then people will not need to steal in order to survive. The apostle Paul synthesized these two commands in Ephesians 4:28, saying: “He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.”
Another command (in 2THS 3:10) states: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” Paul also states (in 1TM 5:8): “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” And again, he wrote: “Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality.” (2CR 8:13) Equality does not require uniformity or conformity or a communist system, which often has resulted in a smaller pie to share, but rather that every person should have an equal opportunity to earn a living.
Sewing these verses together with spiritual thread, we can discern that the will of God is for people who are able to work to seek employment, so that earning a fair wage will provide at least the basic necessities plus something (a tithe or tenth per Malachi 3:8-10) left over for charity. Full employment at a livable wage is a wonderful goal; the problem is how to achieve it.
We know that “You shall not steal” (EX 20:15) is the eighth of the Ten Commandments (TOJ #110). Yet, implicit in the command of Jesus is that if the rich share their wealth, then people will not need to steal in order to survive. The apostle Paul synthesized these two commands in Ephesians 4:28, saying: “He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.”
Another command (in 2THS 3:10) states: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” Paul also states (in 1TM 5:8): “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” And again, he wrote: “Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality.” (2CR 8:13) Equality does not require uniformity or conformity or a communist system, which often has resulted in a smaller pie to share, but rather that every person should have an equal opportunity to earn a living.
Sewing these verses together with spiritual thread, we can discern that the will of God is for people who are able to work to seek employment, so that earning a fair wage will provide at least the basic necessities plus something (a tithe or tenth per Malachi 3:8-10) left over for charity. Full employment at a livable wage is a wonderful goal; the problem is how to achieve it.
God, in His Perfect Law of Liberty, on politics:
ALL man-made legislation, rules, "codes", policies, etc. are strictly prohibited by Law:-
Deuteronomy 4:2 Ye shall not ADD unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish [ought] from it, that ye may keep the Commandments of the "I AM" your God which I COMMAND you.
No political parties allowed (do NOT turn to the *right hand/wing or left hand/wing):-
Deuteronomy 5:32 Ye shall observe to do therefore as the "I AM" your God hath commanded you: ye shall NOT turn aside to the right hand or to the left*.
No elected judges, case "law" (precedents) nor the enforcement or administration of man-made rules allowed:-
Deuteronomy 17:11 According to The Sentence of The Law which they shall teach thee, and according to the Judgment which they shall tell thee, thou shalt do: thou shalt not decline to do The Sentence which they shall show thee, and turn NOT away from it [to] the right hand, nor [to] the left.
The reason for these COMMANDMENTS is to protect us from the evil, injustice and oppression that man-made rules, doctrines, traditions and legislation, etc. invariably cause.
Adding or taking away from The PERFECT Moral, National Law that God gave us will always result in an imperfect standard being applied. That's why we've been warned for thousands of years NOT to follow ANY politician, appointed or elected (including judges, local officials, priests, pastors, rabbis, imams, etc.), because they are ALL leading us astray from the Strait and Narrow Way which leads to LIFE.
Isaiah 3:12 [As for] My people, children [are] their oppressors, and women rule over them. O My people, they which lead thee cause [thee] to err, and lead thee astray, TO THY DESTRUCTION.
Matthew 7:13-14
7:13 Enter ye in at the "Strait" gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, and MANY there be which go in thereat:
7:14 Because Strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] The Way, which leadeth unto Life, and FEW there be that find it.
ALL man-made legislation, rules, "codes", policies, etc. are strictly prohibited by Law:-
Deuteronomy 4:2 Ye shall not ADD unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish [ought] from it, that ye may keep the Commandments of the "I AM" your God which I COMMAND you.
No political parties allowed (do NOT turn to the *right hand/wing or left hand/wing):-
Deuteronomy 5:32 Ye shall observe to do therefore as the "I AM" your God hath commanded you: ye shall NOT turn aside to the right hand or to the left*.
No elected judges, case "law" (precedents) nor the enforcement or administration of man-made rules allowed:-
Deuteronomy 17:11 According to The Sentence of The Law which they shall teach thee, and according to the Judgment which they shall tell thee, thou shalt do: thou shalt not decline to do The Sentence which they shall show thee, and turn NOT away from it [to] the right hand, nor [to] the left.
The reason for these COMMANDMENTS is to protect us from the evil, injustice and oppression that man-made rules, doctrines, traditions and legislation, etc. invariably cause.
Adding or taking away from The PERFECT Moral, National Law that God gave us will always result in an imperfect standard being applied. That's why we've been warned for thousands of years NOT to follow ANY politician, appointed or elected (including judges, local officials, priests, pastors, rabbis, imams, etc.), because they are ALL leading us astray from the Strait and Narrow Way which leads to LIFE.
Isaiah 3:12 [As for] My people, children [are] their oppressors, and women rule over them. O My people, they which lead thee cause [thee] to err, and lead thee astray, TO THY DESTRUCTION.
Matthew 7:13-14
7:13 Enter ye in at the "Strait" gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, and MANY there be which go in thereat:
7:14 Because Strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] The Way, which leadeth unto Life, and FEW there be that find it.
Applying GW to politics was not relevant for the OT Israelites until the Roman government dispersed the Jews following the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, but Christians in modern democracies are confronted with how to exercise their MFW regarding elections.
God's Word was politics to the Israelites. It still is to whatever degree. Since it's instruction in righteousness for us, it still is politics. And since His Law is in the consciences of men, it's politics wherever there are politics even if He's not acknowledged. And since most live in community, most are involved in politics, though many allege they're not.
Give to Caesars what is Caesars and to God what is God's.
In reality, God's Law is the ONLY Law there is on this planet, and has been since the outset.
It is the tragedy of mankind that we've been duped into believing otherwise for so long.
Yes, no one is an island although monastics want or try to be. Not to vote supports the status quo.
Yes, all atheists can do is make pyrite suggestions.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. When we have a problem with a product we refer to the manufacturers manual.
Should be the same in our lives.
God's laws were not just for a few but for a nation. How to live civil and orderly. To govern over the people.
And with its perfect system of governance, its perfect system of justice, its perfect agricultural policy it perfect economic policy and its perfect healthy diet, The Law provides us with everything a healthy, civilized society needs, to protect everyone from the evil, injustice and oppression that man made rules cause.
No wonder we have been told that love is the fulfillment of The Law.
There is no other Way to true freedom, true justice, true peace, true prosperity and the safety and security that only God can provide...and that God has promised to provide to all those who keep His Law/Commandments.
1 John 3:4-11
3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also The Law: for sin is the transgression of The Law.
3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our (past) sins (Rom. 3:25); and in him is no sin.
3:6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he (Christ) is righteous.
3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the Beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
3:10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever DOETH NOT righteousness is NOT of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
3:11 For this is the message that ye heard from the Beginning (Alpha), that we should love one another.
3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also The Law: for sin is the transgression of The Law.
3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our (past) sins (Rom. 3:25); and in him is no sin.
3:6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he (Christ) is righteous.
3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the Beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
3:10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever DOETH NOT righteousness is NOT of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
3:11 For this is the message that ye heard from the Beginning (Alpha), that we should love one another.