craigdressler: Hi
Because the Democrat's Political Platform clearly states that they support such things as abortion(murder of the unborn) and marriages other than between one man and one woman, is it tough for a Christian to be a Democrat?
There is a difference between supporting abortion, and placing the responsibility for such choices on the people most affected. i.e. (Mother, unborn child, medical interventionist etc.) Morality cannot be imposed upon society by law without negating the personal responsibility of those subject to that law. Imposing LAWS on people does not make them into responsible people.
Revelation says: He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. Rev. 22:11.
You are suggesting that they should not be let to do anything of the sort, but rather that they should be MADE to be righteous and MADE to be Holy, and compelled by LAW not to be unjust or filthy.
How can it be said that anyone is 'righteous' if they are compelled to be by law? Surely to be truly righteous there must be the freedom to be unrighteous, but a refusal by the righteous to use that freedom to be unjust, filthy, etc.
I think it is a perversion of Christianity to seek to control the people by imposition of LAW. Christ taught otherwise, that mere law abiding through fear of retribution is not loving God. Loving God is freely serving Him in obedience even if there IS NO LAW. It is summed up as "loving one's neighbour, 'or unborn child', as oneself."
Jesus had nothing whatever to say about gay 'relationships' or gay 'marriage'. (Although marriage was universally assumed by all, including Jesus, as referring the joining of a man and woman in wedlock, not two men or two women together), Jesus gave no indication whatever that LEGISLATION needed to be passed to ensure that only a male / female relationship was to be permitted BY LAW. Jesus did not impose LAW in that way to regulate human behaviour. Jesus gave The Holy Spirit to help us regulate our individual behaviour and willingly align it with God's will without duress.
So again, those who seek to impose BY LAW restrictions on the entire population on matters of who falls in love with whom, and what gender they should be according to the state, do not have any understanding whatever regarding how the kingdom of God is established in the hearts of the people.
The kingdom of God is not imposed by LAW. Christian 'believers' who are politically motivated to use the force of LAW are using methods of 'The World' to establish the Kingdom of God. That is a big mistake. Those who impose 'laws' shall be judged by 'The Law'. Those who legislate for 'freedom of choice and individual responsibility under God's law' understand grace. Such laws as there may be concerning pregnancy termination and same sex marriage, should be aimed at limiting the harm done, according to the circumstances and actual situation of the individuals concerned, (including the yet unborn), while as far as possible making the citizens involved fully responsible for their own choices, not just making them obedient puppets of The State in the 'Kingdom of The World'. Those 'kingdoms' were the ones that Jesus Christ refused to rule by.:
Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Matt. 4:8-10
It could be argued that Trump's Republican, (supposedly Christian), supporters have fallen for the tempting offer that Jesus flatly turned down. So it may become increasingly more difficult to them to stay 'Christian' while assisting Trump's agenda by their eagerly loyal support.
Jesus answered, "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." Jn. 18:36.
Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit,
saith the Lord of hosts. Zch. 4:6.
Regards Chris.
In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. 2 Cor. 5:19. Love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Pet.4:8b.
rdrcofe: Jan 11, 2018, 9:24 AM