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Showing posts with label Government. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Government. Show all posts

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Christian Nation?

I do believe that as we push Christian principles in the government of the US, it should be done under the rule of the Constitution. It is not a free for all. For example, it would not be ok to push a law that stated that everyone must confess Jesus Christ as Lord. I do think we need to be wise in how we approach issues and to do so based on Constitutional limitations. But Christian principles and obeying scripture should be what rules us as we make these decisions. The scripture is great at teaching us how to walk and how to make decisions that honor both the Constitution and God. Our Christian principles should never be left behind in anything we do nor should they be compromised.

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work."

Christian Nation?

I think there has been some confusion on whether this nation began as a Christian nation or not. The issue becomes muddled as people try to take one position or the other in some polarised version of an answer to this question. This nation was founded by men who were both Christian and not Christian. They were men who had an understanding of history and wanted to develop a country based on strong principles and foundations, learned from the lessons of history. And, yes, some wanted this nation to honor God. But even though all were not Christian, both non-Christian and Christian men drew many of their morals and principles from Christian and Biblical ideas. And there was a strong Christian influence in their thinking. So despite the fact that both non-Christian and Christian men founded this nation, Christian principles had a huge part in developing our nation. That cannot be denied. So even though you might say that this nation was not founded as a Christian nation, it is very clear that it had a very strong Christian influence in its development.

We do know this - the scripture is very clear that a nation is greater, when their laws are based on Christian principles. The Constitution is set up not to deter this, but to allow for those in government to make decisions based on principles, as long as they are not unconstituional.  So as Christians it is important that we bring our Christian principles into the way we make decisions in government. I think this is safe, because the scriptures tell us to honor the ruler of the land. In our nation, that is not a man, but the Constitution. So a Christian will try to honor the Constitution in the decisions they make and also respecting those constitutionally elected to offices.

My point is we cannot deny that Christian principles had a part in the founding of our nation, whether or not it was founded as a Christian nation. And, today, whether or not our nation is a Christian nation, we cannot separate our Christian principles from the decisions we make for our nation, nor do we need to be ashamed of our wanting to bring Christian principles into governmental decisions.



Friday, November 7, 2008

Men that had understanding of the times

1 Timothy 2:1-6

1First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.

I think in times like this, as Christians, we must be careful to hold fast to the council of our Lord and King. We must not respond out of our emotions or fear. No matter who rules, we have one King. A King who is mighty and because of that we do not fear and we are able to stand. In our pilgrimage, we are to be faithful observers of the times and are to live in understanding as we represent the Kingdom, in a fallen world. We are ambassadors, calling out on behalf of our King. And even in difficult times, we are to represent our King in our speech and conduct. And so we do not walk in this world like other men. We do not beguile or slander as other men, but we also do not back down on the truth, but remain faithful and honest, loving mercy and justice. We do not to fail to pray for the ungodly or to love or enemies. And we are not to fail to stand and be a banner, to be salt and light in this world, and to call out for repentance. We are honest about sin and we are bold in declaring salvation through Christ Jesus. God calls us to both be a rightful observer of the times and to be a call to repentance, but He also calls us to do this with respect and gentleness. When we fail to call out with gentleness and respect we become blinded by our own passions and are no longer able to see the times. When we fail to call men to repentance and fail to be honest about sin and make a stand, we become like the times or we become cold, lacking love. And in this I challenge myself, this is where I would like to be, and I ask for accountability, if I fail to represent my King. We must call these things out in each other and remind ourselves, we serve one King.


And of the sons of Issachar, men that had understanding of the times ,to know what Israel ought to do. --1 Chronicles 12:32