In listening to a sermon in Andrew Farley's sermon series entitled "Distracted", he mentioned something that really struck me concerning Christians, politics and fighting for 'Christian principles' and capitalism in our country. He made the point that you never heard of Jesus trying to change peoples mind on abortion and you never heard of Paul trying to change the direction of Rome and it's government. These were not the concerns of Christ nor his apostles. How did we become so focused on this stuff in America? I am not an American. I am a citizen of heaven. Of course, Paul didn't deny being (physically) a citizen of Rome, but I think he could have cared less about it's politics. I've never heard of any sermons from the apostles about vigorously opposing abortion, socialism, gay marriage and tax increases on the wealthy. The only thing I remember Paul trying to get Christians to understand was that their citizenship is in heaven and from it they were awaiting a Savior; Jesus Christ.
I am not an American, I am a citizen of Zion. Let the world do what it wants to do with itself. This isn't OUR country and this isn't OUR world. We are waiting for a new heavens and a new earth.
It isn't wrong to be involved in politics if you are a Christian. I'm not saying that. I'm saying don't let it distract you.
3 comments:
I was just thinking of some of the same things the last few days! Our citizenship is in heaven, and this world system is only something that we're temporarily "in," but not "of." Indeed, Jesus, Paul and the others lived in governmental systems with various amounts of oppression and immorality, etc, but their battle wasn't against this stuff, but rather was to help people understand God's love, and to help people understand that Jesus overcame the world, rather than having us live as victims of the world, or people who are fighting against the things of the world.
I'm rambling... and it's late and my kids are having a sleepover and it's quite loud in here right now (!) - so I hope what I'm saying is somewhat coherent. :)
Good points.............!!
Aww sleepovers are SO FUN aren't they though Joel!! :)
Thanks Matt, i forget these points so quickly.
Best
U.
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