Should I get involved in politics?

"My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence" (John 18:36) In this explanation Jesus makes it clear that there is a definite separation between His kingdom and the kingdoms of this world. The fact that Jesus had not allowed His disciples to defend Him was evidence enough of this fact. Christ's kingdom is heavenly and seeks the reconciliation of the sinner to God, but civil and world governments are of this earth and seek for power and supremacy. The separation of church and state is also taught in 2 Corinthians 5:20 where the Christian is referred to as an ambassador - "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ." An ambassador is one who represents one country to another. He does not become involved in the government of the other country but seeks the welfare of his own. Likewise, the Christian does not become involved in the affairs of earthly governments but represents the heavenly kingdom to them. He is in this world but is not of this world (John 17:16). His work is spiritual, not political. His responsibility is to help the people of this world to give their allegiance to the heavenly kingdom of Christ. Our form of government offers people the ability to exercise their faith freely and without interference from the government. To be fair to all faiths, our government is set up to not establish a state religion. This includes promoting one religion over another. Faith is something that individuals must accept or reject. People either take the leap and believe or they do not. It is not something that can be forced. We just need to look at the whole picture. God never commanded the governments to "spread the Gospels". God commanded to Christians to spread the Gospels. The Gospel is for "spiritual society" while the Governments are for "human society". Democracy is a form of government which legislative decisions are made by the people themselves or by representatives who act through the consent of the people. Theocracy is a form of government in which a religion and the government are allied. America was created with the influence of Christian people as well as non-christians. I think we should be patriotic in the right way. We ought to look at God's providential care in the life of our nation. Romans 13:1-7 (NIV) Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. We want to be zealous for Jesus Christ, but not too being zealous politically. There has to be a balance politically.

Legalism

People and some denominations are getting personal about various "habits" or their own definition of "sins" that should be forbidden. In 1 Corinthians 10:23 that even though something may be lawful (like drinking). There are two general principles which help Christians decide whether they should use or agree regarding drinking: Caring for ourselves and caring for others. Christians should ask two questions:How would drinking affect our bodies? Will it affect our relationship with God? Arguing about drinking alcohol: Much of the confusion as to whether wine was fermented or unfermented stems from the word "wine" being used in translation of the Greek word "oinos", which can denote either grape juice or intoxicating wine. Bible translators of the Bible knew that the word "oinos" could refer to either fermented or unfermented wine. In Ephesians 5:18, Paul commands us to "be not drunk with wine (oinos)." In the Bible, there are 247 references to wine and strong drink. Of 247 references, 36 are negative references. There are 17 warnings against abusing alcohol, 19 examples of people abusing alcohol. The 3 references to selecting leaders caution that those who abuse alcohol should not be selected as leaders. They use the phrases "not given to much wine," "not given to drunkenness," and "not given to wine." On the positive side, there are 59 references to the commonly accepted practice of drinking wine (and strong drink) with meals, 27 references to the abundance of wine as an example of God's blessing, 20 references to the loss of wine and strong drink as an example of God's curse, 25 references to the use of wine in offerings and sacrifices, 9 references to wine being used as a gift, and 5 metaphorical references to wine as a basis for a favorable comparison. The Bible has several warnings against drunkenness, but only one caution against the responsible use of alcohol in celebration and with meals. I am not going to be legalist about this. I am not a drinker of alcohol but I do drink wine every now and then. During a hot day in the summer, I probably drink a can of COLD beer. I should add that Christians should not "lose any sleep" over disagreements in drinking. This is an area what theologists called "Peripheral Beliefs". It means its not worth fighting or lose any sleep because of these beliefs and practices that are not really that important. These might include debates over modes of baptism, appropriate dress, ecclesiastical organization, the appropriateness of smoking and drinking, being a Democrat, Republican, or a Socialist, etc. I should add anothing point.. that most Christians usually follow a reason rather a rule against drinking, smoking or any other unhealthy lifestyle: The most important Scripture in this regard is 1Corinthians 6:19, "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?" Your body is a "good" and wonderful gift from God. Christians know that God is with them, they sometimes feel it is unnecessary to make needed lifestyle changes to stay healthy. Paul said, "But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection ..." (1Corinthians 9:27). The key word here is "discipline." Starting and maintaining a proper diet and exercise program involves more than anything else, discipline and caring enough for yourself (again, "...as you love yourself") to take care of yourself. You have to remember that exercise should not become an obsession. Paul wrote, "For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come" (1Tim 4:8). So Paul recognizes that physical exercise has some profit, it is important. But there are also more important things in life; namely our relationship to God.

Virus

The most pressing virus is sin. Sin is the basic problem because sin has to do with a person's soul. It comes to every human being: "What am I going to do about sin?" Sin is more than a disease. It is a deformity of the spirit, an abnormality in that part of human nature. We must make confession concerning our relationship with sin. Christ by His death on the cross made it possible for the sinner to exchange his sin for Christ's righteousness. It's that simple. The Word of God is the antibiotic that alone can destroy the virus that would plague of the sinners' lives . If a person rejects Christ, God's plan of salvation, and Christ's death and resurrection as the basis for atonement, there is no remaining ground for redemption. Reconciliation is an impossibility. It is a part of OUR calling and responsibility in the ministry to warn people that rejection of the atoning work of Jesus Christ is fatal to the soul.

Personal Statement of Faith

This is my personal statement of faith regarding Jesus Christ and my salvation. Complete and eternal salvation by God's grace alone, received as the gift of God through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and his finished work (Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-7; I Peter 1:18-19). Through Jesus Christ, God offers salvation from sin and a new way of life. We receive God's salvation when we repent and accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. In Christ, we are reconciled with God and brought into the reconciling community. We place our faith in God that, by the same power that raised Christ from the dead, we may be saved from sin to follow Christ and to know the fullness of salvation. Jesus' preexistence and deity (John 1:1-13), incarnation by virgin birth (John 1:14; Matt. 1:18-23); sinless life (Heb. 4:15), substitutionary death (II Cor. 5:21), bodily resurrection (Luke 24:36-43), ascension into heaven and present ministry (Heb. 4:14-16), and coming again (Acts 1:11). Jesus Christ, the Word of God become flesh. He is the Savior of the world, who has delivered us from the dominion of sin and reconciled us to God by his death on a cross. He was declared to be Son of God by his resurrection from the dead. He is the head of the church, the exalted Lord, the Lamb who was slain, coming again to reign with God in glory. By holiness does not mean I will be sinless but I can be blameless. My life as a Christian takes work and requires the commitment of my heart, mind and body. During my training for righteousness along with my struggles with sin, I need to have a “Christ-like attitude” (1 Peter 4:1-2). Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:1 “Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ”. Christ is not outside of me but He is inside me. Since Christ is within me, I must listen to His Word and walk in His steps (2 Corinthians 4:10). I am no longer according to the flesh because Christ is in me therefore, He is my Savior and Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:16). With Christ inside me, God has granted me the ability to understand the truth and live accordingly (1 John 1:5-6). I am God's letter, written in my heart to be known and read by everybody. I am to show that I am a letter from Christ, the result of His ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of my heart (2 Corinthians 3:2-3). I am being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5). I am encouraged by God that I am to offer my body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. This is my Spiritual act of Worship. I will not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by renewing of my mind with the Word of God. By understanding the Word of God, I will be able to test and approve what God's will is; His good, pleasing and perfect Will (Romans 12:1-2). A life of righteousness, good works and separation unto God from the evil ways of the world (Rom 12:1- 2), manifested by speaking the truth (James 5:12), maintaining the sanctity of the home (Eph. 5:22-6:4) settling differences between Christians in accordance with the Word of God (I Cor. 6:1-8), not engaging in carnal strife but showing a Christ-like attitude toward all men (Rom. 12:7-21), exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23), and maintaining a life of prayer (Eph. 6:18; Phil. 4:6), including the privilege, when sick, of calling for the elders of the church to pray and to anoint with oil in the name of the Lord (James 5:13-18). Jesus Christ calls us to discipleship, to take up our cross and follow him. Through the gift of God's saving grace, we are empowered to be disciples of Jesus, filled with his Spirit, following his teachings and his path through suffering to new life. As we are faithful to his way, we become conformed to Christ and separated from the evil in the world. A disciple of Jesus is to know life in the Spirit. As the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ take shape in us, we grow in the image of Christ and in our relationship with God. The Holy Spirit is active in individual and in communal worship, leading us deeper into the experience of God. Commit ourselves to tell the truth, to give a simple yes or no, and to avoid the swearing of oaths. Everything belongs to God, who calls the church to live in faithful stewardship of all that God has entrusted to us, and to participate now in the rest and justice which God has promised. Jesus is the ONLY way to God. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." Not denominations, not a system, not a preference or any other methods. Jesus is the key for our salvation.