The Election Count – Part 6
Men get involved in politics because we want to have good and strong and courageous rulers to reign over us, and enrich us, and protect us, and fight our battles. The Israelites wanted the same thing:
1 Samuel 8:19-20 Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us; 20 That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.
What was so wrong with them seeking a king to be over them, and to protect them, and judge between them, and fight for them???
Samuel explained:
1 Samuel 12:12 And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the LORD your God was your king.
1 Samuel 8:7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee [“make us a king”]: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.
When we pray and fight and cry for earthly kings and rulers to protect us and protect our rights, and give us justice, and create our laws, and punish our criminals, and to save us from our enemies… are we any different than Israel? We are desiring to be kept safe by a man, and to serve a man, to put trust in a man, when…we’re Christians… the Lord is our king! Why should we reject him?
The Lord your God is your king. To fight for, and pray for, and campaign for another king is to reject the Lord as your king.
That was rejection # 1. Here is rejection # 2:
John 19:14-15 And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! 15 But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.
I think there will be a rejection # 3, before the cock crows.
Our president is not some gracious gift to us from God. A nation gets the king that it deserves.
1 Samuel 12:13-14 Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired! and, behold, the LORD hath set a king over you. [They made a big mistake! But…] 14 If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God:
This is how it works: If YE will continue following the Lord, then shall the king continue following the Lord.
It’s not the king that causes the people to go away from God. It is the people that cause the king to depart from the Lord. Its not the godliness of the king that affects the people. It’s the godliness of the people that affects the godliness of the king that is set over them.
By Israel’s precedent: The wickedness of America’s king is according to her own wickedness.
Neither Donald Trump nor Joe Biden is a gift from God. You should trust in neither.
A country gets the king that its works deserve.
Are we going to strive for a king that our works do not deserve, and that the Lord has not chosen? And are we going to have to strive for the king that the Lord HAS chosen? Of course not. So then… why strive? Why involve ourselves in politics!?
In fact, if you really wanted to have a righteous ruler over you, you wouldn’t go about it politically, you would go about it Scripturally. You would seek the Lord, and obey His voice, and fear the Lord and serve the Lord. You would depart from evil, seek peace. Find godliness and preach it.
1 Peter 3:10-12 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
Are you worried America is going down the crapper? Don’t seek to save it with politics! Get yourself right with God! You yourself depart from evil, seek peace, real peace. Preach the gospel of peace. Boldly, but with meekness and love! Seek HIS righteousness! Do that, get right with God, then, get on your face and pray. THEN His ears will be open to your cries.
You may save America, for a time. Or, you may only save yourself out of it, like Lot. But if you don’t seek the Lord, you’ll save neither. Righteousness saves! We are saved by righteousness. (not ours of course)
But what is the point of politics? To ensure safety? To make peace? No matter what the outcome, red or blue, there will be no peace. They’ve been striving for thousands and thousands of years, and there has never been, nor will there ever be, peace under man’s government.
Isaiah 57:21 There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.
No matter if the country was all red or all blue, there would be no peace.
But that is what they are striving for. Peace! Peace and Safety! Woe unto them when they think they have finally achieved it!
Psalms 127:1 … Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
Tying to preserve America when God has given her up to be destroyed… is VAIN.
You trying to preserve the city, when the Lord has sent a sword on it… is VAIN.
So what good are you doing getting involved in politics?
Acts 5:34-38 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; 35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. 36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. 37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. 38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
If you sow to the flesh, you’ll reap corruption.
If your work is a work of men, it will come to nothing.
Says the wise doctor Gamaliel, Let these men alone! Let the work of men alone. It will come to nought.
Says Jesus, Let them alone. Let the blind lead the blind. They shall both of them fall in the ditch.
Quit getting involved in politics! It is the vain work of men, and it will come to NOUGHT.
And… you may be found, even to fight against God.
Acts 5:38 … Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: 39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
If the Lord divides America, or destroys America, and you fight to save her… you fight against God.
If the Lord gives power to in an evil ruler to manipulate, cheat, flatter, and conquer America, and you fight against that ruler… you fight against God.
You say, but I don’t fight with violence, only with my voice. I argue, and rally, and protest, and debate and lecture, and opine. I don’t use a sword! But.. your mouth IS a sword.
Psalms 57:4 … even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
You’d be wise to not pick up a sword to fight against flesh. Jesus said, all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword! Only pick up the sword of the Spirit: the word of God. The sword of His mouth! And with that sword, we fight spiritual powers, and not the powers of men.
But Pastors say, “if we don’t preach politics from the pulpit, pretty soon we won’t have any pulpits to preach from.”
I’d respond, that’s not Bible truth. That is man’s wisdom. That is the fear of man talking. “If I don’t protect myself then I won’t have anything left to protect! If I give away my coat, I won’t have anything left to give!”… They speak as if preaching politics will preserve our pulpit from men taking it away. And as if obeying and trusting the Lord seeking His righteousness, God would allow our pulpit to be taken away. And as if when God decides to let them persecute us and we must preach in secret, in hiding, that that is a bad thing (it’s not!), or as if fighting against men will save us from it.
Rather… what will happen is, if you don’t preach the gospel and edify the brethren with Bible doctrine from your pulpit, pretty soon YOU will be cut off from your pulpit. Pretty soon you will be cut off from preaching. Pretty soon you will be put out of the stewardship. Your pulpit will be given to another, or it will be destroyed and your flock will be scattered. Preaching on politics is easy. Even preaching against politics is easy. Interpreting parables, and searching out good doctrine is hard!
You won’t lose your pulpit because you didn’t preach politics. You’ll lose your pulpit for preaching politics over preaching the word of God. THAT is Bible truth. Want to see that in the Book?
Matthew 21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
They were masters of Israel. The word of God was theirs. Jesus Christ was theirs. Eternal life was theirs. The kingdom of God was theirs. The Doctrine of grace was theirs. But because they would not hear it, and receive it, and preach it, it was taken from them.
Luke 3:9 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit [not works… words!] is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Matthew 21:19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit [not works… words!] grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
John 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit [not works… words!] he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Every man that does not speak good fruit, good words.. the doctrine of the grace of Jesus Christ.. will be dried up, be hewn down, and cast into the fire.
If you refuse to bring forth good fruit, He will take away your entire ability to produce fruit.
Luke 20:15-16 So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them? 16 He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.
You say, well those are all examples of unsaved men losing their ministries. Well, here are some examples of saved persons losing them:
Luke 16:1-3 And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. 2 And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward. 3 Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: …
This parable is about winning souls. Settling debts. Don’t waste His goods (fruit, water, bread, etc.)! Take it, and feed His house! That is what a steward does. But if you refuse to do it, you’ll be put out of the stewardship. No pulpit! No power over His goods. No power to preach!
Spoken to one of the seven churches…
Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
It was a church, but it stopped preaching repentance, and so its place (its pulpit as it were) may be removed.
Bring forth fruit, or be cut down. Bring forth light, or have your candlestick removed.
Your stewardship will be taken away, your ability to bring forth fruit will be taken away, your church will be removed from being a (true) church.
Don’t get involved in politics. Focus on being a faithful steward. Focus on bringing forth good fruit. Focus on the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all the other things of this world shall be added unto you.
Did Jesus get involved in Politics? Absolutely not! But Jerry Falwell Jr. says so.
From: https://apnews.com/article/100abe52186be4b1091d9e631ca960c8
NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly three dozen black alumni of Liberty University denounced school President Jerry Falwell Jr. on Monday, suggesting he step down after he mocked Virginia’s mask-wearing requirement by invoking the blackface scandal that engulfed the state’s governor last year.
In a letter to Falwell, shared with The Associated Press, 35 faith leaders and former student-athletes told Falwell that his past comments “have repeatedly violated and misrepresented” Christian principles. They said they would stop urging students to attend Liberty, would no longer donate to the university, and would urge fellow people of faith to avoid speaking at the school unless Falwell changes his behavior or steps aside.
“You have belittled staff, students and parents, you have defended inappropriate behaviors of politicians, encouraged violence, and disrespected people of other faiths,” they wrote, advising Falwell that “your heart is in politics more than Christian academia or ministry.”
… Falwell said his involvement in politics was in the spirit of Jesus Christ, “who was not silent about the establishment political folks of his era.”
“All they need to do is read the Gospels — Jesus got involved in politics,” Falwell said in an interview.
I have no idea how you can believe that! I have no idea where in Scripture you could point to justify this stance. If you do, please show me.
Is he talking about the Pharisees and Sadducees? They were religious leaders. The high priests? Jesus never spoke evil of the high priest. That was against the law! Even when the high priest put him on trial by false accusations and brought false witnesses to condemn him to death… “But he held his peace, and answered nothing.” (Mark 14:61) Whoops! I thought Jesus was our excuse to get involved in politics. I thought it was “Jesus Christ, “who was not silent””.
Jesus was not silent about hypocrites teaching false doctrine and laying judgments and burdens on men that they themselves did not obey, nor hold themselves to obey. He was not silent about the self-righteous, judgmental, leaders, who were wolves, dogs, eating the sheep. The Hypocrites, leading souls to hell!
Matthew 23:13-16 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. … 15 … ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves … 16 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, …
A hypocrite is a false prophet leading men to hell! That is what Jesus spoke against. That is what Jesus “was not silent about”.
But this was all spiritual. This was about saving souls. The same fight we fight. This was not about saving His country, or bettering the world. Jesus did NOT get involved in politics, or speak evil of his political leaders – “the establishment political folks of his era.”
I have no idea how he could justify this in Scripture. The only thing I can even think of that he could point to, is this:
Luke 13:31-32 The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee. 32 And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.
You say, “Oh look at Jesus here, bashing on His ruler’s character. What a political statement. What a fighter! What an activist! Well, there’s our excuse to get involved in politics!”
Or you say, “Oh look at Jesus here. What rebellion!”
No, it was none of those things. Here is what you need to know about Herod: Herod was not simply a worldly ruler set over the Jews. Herod held and taught religious doctrine. Herod had a following of his own disciples that held and taught his own doctrine.
Mark 12:13 And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.
Mark 3:6 And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.
Herod’s followers were the Herodians. And the Herodians were very much friends of the Pharisees.
Mark 8:15 And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.
The Herodians had leavened the word of God, just as the Pharisees had. They were false prophets!
See, this was not a political, nor even an ethical, a moral, or a worldly statement. To call Herod THAT FOX, was to call him a deceiver and a false prophet. Jesus had called him a hypocrite. One destroying the flock of God by leavened doctrine. A FOX, spoiling the fruit! Spoiling the vine of Israel by leavened doctrine.
Song of Solomon 2:15 Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.
You don’t let a fox into the garden because a fox spoils the vine. A fox destroys good fruit. A fox leavens the doctrine of the vine, spoiling its fruit! This was a spiritual, doctrinal accusation.
Again, Jesus did not get political!
Dec 21 2020
The Election Count – Part 6
Downloadable Word document:
The Election Count – Part 6
The Election Count – Part 6
Men get involved in politics because we want to have good and strong and courageous rulers to reign over us, and enrich us, and protect us, and fight our battles. The Israelites wanted the same thing:
1 Samuel 8:19-20 Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us; 20 That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.
What was so wrong with them seeking a king to be over them, and to protect them, and judge between them, and fight for them???
Samuel explained:
1 Samuel 12:12 And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the LORD your God was your king.
1 Samuel 8:7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee [“make us a king”]: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.
When we pray and fight and cry for earthly kings and rulers to protect us and protect our rights, and give us justice, and create our laws, and punish our criminals, and to save us from our enemies… are we any different than Israel? We are desiring to be kept safe by a man, and to serve a man, to put trust in a man, when…we’re Christians… the Lord is our king! Why should we reject him?
The Lord your God is your king. To fight for, and pray for, and campaign for another king is to reject the Lord as your king.
That was rejection # 1. Here is rejection # 2:
John 19:14-15 And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! 15 But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.
I think there will be a rejection # 3, before the cock crows.
Our president is not some gracious gift to us from God. A nation gets the king that it deserves.
1 Samuel 12:13-14 Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired! and, behold, the LORD hath set a king over you. [They made a big mistake! But…] 14 If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God:
This is how it works: If YE will continue following the Lord, then shall the king continue following the Lord.
It’s not the king that causes the people to go away from God. It is the people that cause the king to depart from the Lord. Its not the godliness of the king that affects the people. It’s the godliness of the people that affects the godliness of the king that is set over them.
By Israel’s precedent: The wickedness of America’s king is according to her own wickedness.
Neither Donald Trump nor Joe Biden is a gift from God. You should trust in neither.
A country gets the king that its works deserve.
Are we going to strive for a king that our works do not deserve, and that the Lord has not chosen? And are we going to have to strive for the king that the Lord HAS chosen? Of course not. So then… why strive? Why involve ourselves in politics!?
In fact, if you really wanted to have a righteous ruler over you, you wouldn’t go about it politically, you would go about it Scripturally. You would seek the Lord, and obey His voice, and fear the Lord and serve the Lord. You would depart from evil, seek peace. Find godliness and preach it.
1 Peter 3:10-12 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
Are you worried America is going down the crapper? Don’t seek to save it with politics! Get yourself right with God! You yourself depart from evil, seek peace, real peace. Preach the gospel of peace. Boldly, but with meekness and love! Seek HIS righteousness! Do that, get right with God, then, get on your face and pray. THEN His ears will be open to your cries.
You may save America, for a time. Or, you may only save yourself out of it, like Lot. But if you don’t seek the Lord, you’ll save neither. Righteousness saves! We are saved by righteousness. (not ours of course)
But what is the point of politics? To ensure safety? To make peace? No matter what the outcome, red or blue, there will be no peace. They’ve been striving for thousands and thousands of years, and there has never been, nor will there ever be, peace under man’s government.
Isaiah 57:21 There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.
No matter if the country was all red or all blue, there would be no peace.
But that is what they are striving for. Peace! Peace and Safety! Woe unto them when they think they have finally achieved it!
Psalms 127:1 … Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
Tying to preserve America when God has given her up to be destroyed… is VAIN.
You trying to preserve the city, when the Lord has sent a sword on it… is VAIN.
So what good are you doing getting involved in politics?
Acts 5:34-38 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; 35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. 36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. 37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. 38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
If you sow to the flesh, you’ll reap corruption.
If your work is a work of men, it will come to nothing.
Says the wise doctor Gamaliel, Let these men alone! Let the work of men alone. It will come to nought.
Says Jesus, Let them alone. Let the blind lead the blind. They shall both of them fall in the ditch.
Quit getting involved in politics! It is the vain work of men, and it will come to NOUGHT.
And… you may be found, even to fight against God.
Acts 5:38 … Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: 39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
If the Lord divides America, or destroys America, and you fight to save her… you fight against God.
If the Lord gives power to in an evil ruler to manipulate, cheat, flatter, and conquer America, and you fight against that ruler… you fight against God.
You say, but I don’t fight with violence, only with my voice. I argue, and rally, and protest, and debate and lecture, and opine. I don’t use a sword! But.. your mouth IS a sword.
Psalms 57:4 … even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
You’d be wise to not pick up a sword to fight against flesh. Jesus said, all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword! Only pick up the sword of the Spirit: the word of God. The sword of His mouth! And with that sword, we fight spiritual powers, and not the powers of men.
But Pastors say, “if we don’t preach politics from the pulpit, pretty soon we won’t have any pulpits to preach from.”
I’d respond, that’s not Bible truth. That is man’s wisdom. That is the fear of man talking. “If I don’t protect myself then I won’t have anything left to protect! If I give away my coat, I won’t have anything left to give!”… They speak as if preaching politics will preserve our pulpit from men taking it away. And as if obeying and trusting the Lord seeking His righteousness, God would allow our pulpit to be taken away. And as if when God decides to let them persecute us and we must preach in secret, in hiding, that that is a bad thing (it’s not!), or as if fighting against men will save us from it.
Rather… what will happen is, if you don’t preach the gospel and edify the brethren with Bible doctrine from your pulpit, pretty soon YOU will be cut off from your pulpit. Pretty soon you will be cut off from preaching. Pretty soon you will be put out of the stewardship. Your pulpit will be given to another, or it will be destroyed and your flock will be scattered. Preaching on politics is easy. Even preaching against politics is easy. Interpreting parables, and searching out good doctrine is hard!
You won’t lose your pulpit because you didn’t preach politics. You’ll lose your pulpit for preaching politics over preaching the word of God. THAT is Bible truth. Want to see that in the Book?
Matthew 21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
They were masters of Israel. The word of God was theirs. Jesus Christ was theirs. Eternal life was theirs. The kingdom of God was theirs. The Doctrine of grace was theirs. But because they would not hear it, and receive it, and preach it, it was taken from them.
Luke 3:9 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit [not works… words!] is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Matthew 21:19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit [not works… words!] grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
John 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit [not works… words!] he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Every man that does not speak good fruit, good words.. the doctrine of the grace of Jesus Christ.. will be dried up, be hewn down, and cast into the fire.
If you refuse to bring forth good fruit, He will take away your entire ability to produce fruit.
Luke 20:15-16 So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them? 16 He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.
You say, well those are all examples of unsaved men losing their ministries. Well, here are some examples of saved persons losing them:
Luke 16:1-3 And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. 2 And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward. 3 Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: …
This parable is about winning souls. Settling debts. Don’t waste His goods (fruit, water, bread, etc.)! Take it, and feed His house! That is what a steward does. But if you refuse to do it, you’ll be put out of the stewardship. No pulpit! No power over His goods. No power to preach!
Spoken to one of the seven churches…
Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
It was a church, but it stopped preaching repentance, and so its place (its pulpit as it were) may be removed.
Bring forth fruit, or be cut down. Bring forth light, or have your candlestick removed.
Your stewardship will be taken away, your ability to bring forth fruit will be taken away, your church will be removed from being a (true) church.
Don’t get involved in politics. Focus on being a faithful steward. Focus on bringing forth good fruit. Focus on the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all the other things of this world shall be added unto you.
Did Jesus get involved in Politics? Absolutely not! But Jerry Falwell Jr. says so.
From: https://apnews.com/article/100abe52186be4b1091d9e631ca960c8
NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly three dozen black alumni of Liberty University denounced school President Jerry Falwell Jr. on Monday, suggesting he step down after he mocked Virginia’s mask-wearing requirement by invoking the blackface scandal that engulfed the state’s governor last year.
In a letter to Falwell, shared with The Associated Press, 35 faith leaders and former student-athletes told Falwell that his past comments “have repeatedly violated and misrepresented” Christian principles. They said they would stop urging students to attend Liberty, would no longer donate to the university, and would urge fellow people of faith to avoid speaking at the school unless Falwell changes his behavior or steps aside.
“You have belittled staff, students and parents, you have defended inappropriate behaviors of politicians, encouraged violence, and disrespected people of other faiths,” they wrote, advising Falwell that “your heart is in politics more than Christian academia or ministry.”
… Falwell said his involvement in politics was in the spirit of Jesus Christ, “who was not silent about the establishment political folks of his era.”
“All they need to do is read the Gospels — Jesus got involved in politics,” Falwell said in an interview.
I have no idea how you can believe that! I have no idea where in Scripture you could point to justify this stance. If you do, please show me.
Is he talking about the Pharisees and Sadducees? They were religious leaders. The high priests? Jesus never spoke evil of the high priest. That was against the law! Even when the high priest put him on trial by false accusations and brought false witnesses to condemn him to death… “But he held his peace, and answered nothing.” (Mark 14:61) Whoops! I thought Jesus was our excuse to get involved in politics. I thought it was “Jesus Christ, “who was not silent””.
Jesus was not silent about hypocrites teaching false doctrine and laying judgments and burdens on men that they themselves did not obey, nor hold themselves to obey. He was not silent about the self-righteous, judgmental, leaders, who were wolves, dogs, eating the sheep. The Hypocrites, leading souls to hell!
Matthew 23:13-16 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. … 15 … ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves … 16 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, …
A hypocrite is a false prophet leading men to hell! That is what Jesus spoke against. That is what Jesus “was not silent about”.
But this was all spiritual. This was about saving souls. The same fight we fight. This was not about saving His country, or bettering the world. Jesus did NOT get involved in politics, or speak evil of his political leaders – “the establishment political folks of his era.”
I have no idea how he could justify this in Scripture. The only thing I can even think of that he could point to, is this:
Luke 13:31-32 The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee. 32 And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.
You say, “Oh look at Jesus here, bashing on His ruler’s character. What a political statement. What a fighter! What an activist! Well, there’s our excuse to get involved in politics!”
Or you say, “Oh look at Jesus here. What rebellion!”
No, it was none of those things. Here is what you need to know about Herod: Herod was not simply a worldly ruler set over the Jews. Herod held and taught religious doctrine. Herod had a following of his own disciples that held and taught his own doctrine.
Mark 12:13 And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.
Mark 3:6 And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.
Herod’s followers were the Herodians. And the Herodians were very much friends of the Pharisees.
Mark 8:15 And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.
The Herodians had leavened the word of God, just as the Pharisees had. They were false prophets!
See, this was not a political, nor even an ethical, a moral, or a worldly statement. To call Herod THAT FOX, was to call him a deceiver and a false prophet. Jesus had called him a hypocrite. One destroying the flock of God by leavened doctrine. A FOX, spoiling the fruit! Spoiling the vine of Israel by leavened doctrine.
Song of Solomon 2:15 Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.
You don’t let a fox into the garden because a fox spoils the vine. A fox destroys good fruit. A fox leavens the doctrine of the vine, spoiling its fruit! This was a spiritual, doctrinal accusation.
Again, Jesus did not get political!
By Pastor • Christian Life • 0