So, I've been asked to write a paper (or handout of sorts) and i could use some help from my frens, as it affects all of us.
Long story short, some people very close to me are getting involved in state politics and have some very strong allies backing them (current governor, former governor, etc.
However, they are very discouraged at the tradition of christians not getting involved in politics, and for their state they see a critical voter group being Christians.
This isnt a bash-fest request on Christian politics. Many churches and denominations had good reason at the time to insulate the congregation and themselves from politics. Others saw it simply as the tax break.
Most never saw it as isolating Christians from politics (our church supports political participation, said so just this Sunday). However, due to the creeping evil, it has Become for many, an excuse just to not get involved, and to propagate the don't talk about religion or politics crap that permeates society today.
I'm wondering if anyone has constructive, productive arguments to getting more christians involved in politics. I'm not looking for arguments to get pastorsat the pulpit going on about the deep state.. Just getting them out involved in their community, and voting (baby steps).
So many just don't want to even vote because of the corruption. Scriptural references are a bonus.
What i have now:
Micah 6:8
Mark 12:17
2 Samuel 23:3-4
Romans 13:1-7
Proverbs 28:28, 29:2
I believe christians have a responsibility in this war, and it's not to just ignore it and have faith in God. We are called to actively participate in the world that he created for us.
You aren't sure what Christianity represents anymore? It represents what it always has, a belief that Jesus saved you from sin through his death and resurrection and to live a life of faithful obedience to God.
and to live a life of faithful obedience to God.
Which is not true. Christ paid a substitute penalty for ALL sin, if you accept that payment, on your behalf, by believing, you are saved, period. From that point on, you will gladly allow Him to do His work through you. You are no longer a person, you are of the Body of Christ. If you see your works as what saves you, by keeping the law, you will be judged by the law.
May I ask which denomination you are?
It has been argued by folks much more learned on this subject than myself that the opportunity to sin is ever present. Otherwise, why confess? Why take part in the Eucharist? Why pray? Why participate in the Church with any regularity, anyway?
This could be a difference in our faiths (if you are a denomination of Christianity, it's likely we'll disagree on this interpretation), but -- framed simply and as I understand it -- Christ opened the doorway for those who have sinned to be forgiven; breaking open the doors of Hell so that we, too, may not be sentenced to immortal damnation for our sins but rather the immortal life in Heaven. Through theosis we strive to become more Godlike, but we are burdened while on Earth by the first sin and all other sins since. We can only do our utmost, until that day when we stand before the seat of judgement, to live without sin and be as Godlike as possible.
In other words, I think it unfair to say "not true" to someone who is living their life in "faithful obedience to God". We all are, albeit we describe it differently. I could certainly be misinterpreting your words, but... Christianity is not simply an acceptance or a belief that you are saved, it is an active practice of participation. There is nothing passive about Christianity.
You're inferring something I never said and I blame the Protestants for that. I was saying what being a Christian means. Obviously belief in Jesus as our savior and redeemer, which is the condition necessary for salvation. However, Christians are also called to love the Lord and be obedient to his commandments and live the example of Jesus. So being a Christian is more than just a belief in Jesus, there are other things God expects and Christians are called to do those things.
I understand what you're saying we are save d by faith and not by works but works does have a part to play.
But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is [c]dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made [d]perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was [e]accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. James 2:20-24
Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:17
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James 2:26
Even Christ in Revelation in the seven churches mentions the nicolatians. They continued sexual sin and eating food offered to idols. The spirit of this sin was the false thought that their si s are forgiven so they could do what they want. Jesus said he hates the works of the nicolatians.
Further more the amount of parables and lessons Jesus taught about bearing fruit, shall know them by their fruit. I think the fig tree that withered and died is a great example, from a distance it had leaves and looked like Jesus would find a fig, but as he inspected closer it had no figs, Jesus commanded it to wither and die.
but works does have a part to play.
James 1:1 KJV James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
James is a tribulations epistles written to the 12 tribes scattered abroad, who will be regathered during the tribulations. During this dispensation, salvation is by faith and works, don't take the mark, etc. During the dispensation of grace, it is faith alone.
Jesus said he hates the works of the nicolatians.
Nico means over in Greek and latians translates as laity. Over the church, clergy oppressing the church.
Jesus taught about bearing fruit,
Jesus's ministry was to the Jews, under the dispensation of the law. Only after they rejected the Gospel in Acts 7 by stoning Stephen, did the mission of the Apostles turn completely to the Gentiles. After the resurrection, obviously, anyone at any time can be saved by faith alone, but God set aside the nation of Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.
u/OffGridGuy
During this dispensation, salvation is by faith and works, don't take the mark, etc. During the dispensation of grace, it is faith alone.
Where did you get the two dispensations from? Is the gospel not for the Jew and gentile? Isn't it the same gospel for either of them?
Show me where the is a different set of doctrine concerning faith and works to the Israelites and the gentiles.
Nicolatians has the meaning you said but also has the meaning of follower of Nicolas of Antioch. https://www.christianity.com/wiki/people/who-were-the-nicolaitans-in-revelation-why-did-god-hate-their-practices-so-much.html
"After the resurrection, obviously, anyone at any time can be saved by faith alone, but God set aside the nation of Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in."
Acts 15:11 does say that gentiles saved by grace in Jesus when the Jews are demanding converts to accept the mosaic laws. Hebrews 9:13-14 says Jews also need Atonement from Christ sacrifice on the cross. In my understanding the Jews have the same gospel and doctrines as the gentiles do.
I think where we differ is the difference of what you see as works to what i see the works in the book of James. James is not talking about keeping the mosaic or Roman Catholic law type of works but is talking about acting out good deeds, like the good Samaritan parable.
We are both right and the original commenter was right as well. James is saying we need to prove our faith by acting out the change of heart. As Paul wrote in Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Sorry for the long reply.