Politics and Emotion

Regarding political and/or emotional issues involving ethics or morality:

1.      Did Jesus Address this particular issue?

Matthew 10:24-25 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!”

Matthew 12:18-21 “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,
till he has brought justice through to victory. In his name the nations will put their hope.”

As an ambassador of Jesus Christ, I represent Him in everything I do, think or speak. He set the example for my attitude and demeanor. He didn’t shout rebellious slogans in the streets against Rome. He did state the truth, with divine authority, to anyone who would listen. His issue was the salvation He came to bring. His text reference was the written Word of God. His controversy was with those who were misrepresenting God’s plan of grace by burdening God’s people with manmade legalisms. His execution was for identifying Himself as God and offering forgiveness, not for any crimes or political insurrection.

2.      Can a doctrinal principle or proclamation be found in the Old Testament which condemns or supports the issue? 

Titus 2:1 “You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine.” 

Any teaching or practice which conflicts with the written Word is wrong. We must not assume. If God’s Word doesn’t deal with the issue, it is a non-issue. This is where people let emotionalism take control of their volition. Emotions cannot think. Emotions react. That’s why we have God’s Word for guidance.

3.      Why are not the Ambassadors of Jesus Christ (“moral majority, conservative Christians”) proclaiming the Good News of Salvation in Jesus Christ to those whom they perceive to be lost instead of shouting accusations?

 

I Timothy 1:5-7, “The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.”

6:3-5 “ If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching,  they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions  and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.”

6:20-21 “Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.”

What has been entrusted to the Christian’s care is God’s perfect Word. If we have diligently, prayerfully studied the Word, we have stability in our own souls about what we believe. Arguing the “ifs, ands and buts” is a pointless waste of energy. Those who don’t believe and want to debate the reality of God or the divine inspiration of scripture just love the debate. Those Christians who get drawn into the debate are not really honoring Christ, they are indulging in “godless chatter,” because those who have made up their minds to disregard God’s Word have no spiritual capacity to comprehend it. The only legitimate challenge to such people is that they should try to read the Word with an open mind and a willingness to believe. Otherwise, it is gobbledygook to them, who consider themselves morally superior to Almighty God! We have our individual right to vote our beliefs. Let us do so with quiet confidence and leave the worldlings to their evil. God knows what’s going on, and who is responsible.

As Christians, we will promote policies and practices that are compatible with our faith in God and His Word. Those who say they keep politics separate from their faith don’t have any faith. They are worldlings who see everything from only the human viewpoint: “what’s in it for me?” The divine viewpoint prioritizes the plan and purpose of God for the human race: individual free will, Biblical marriage, protection for families and national sovereignty, in which each individual human is free to receive the gospel message and believe it for the eternal salvation of his soul.

This is what the divine institutions are all about: freedom under the umbrella of God’s system of authority. Without such a framework, there is no freedom. All would be chaos, rebellion and anarchy. No one’s individual freedom would be respected. Everyone would be doing what he considered good for himself, without thought for the needs and sensibilities of others.

Romans 15:3-6 “For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: ‘The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.’ For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had,  so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”