You Can't Help Who You Hate?

If I were to say I can't help who I hate, to justify some very serious act of  revenge, I suspect many if not most would say in response:

Well, you may not be able to help who you hate, but you must control how you act on that hate! When it comes to  hate, we understand that feeling can't be allowed to have free reign over or actions. But, what about love?

If we have loving feelings toward someone, are we incapable of controlling our actions that flow from those feeling? This seems to be some of the rationalization for overthrowing traditional, and dare I say biblical, concepts of sexual morality that had remained pretty constant throughout civilized societies up till just recently.

Do I agree we should be able to love whoever we want? Yes, the Bible says we should love everyone, even our enemies, but that does not mean we always feel warm feelings toward them? No, that is why they are our enemies, but it does means we do good to them, we love them with our actions, in spite of the feelings we may have. And, of course does not mean we should have sex with our enemies!

A huge error, or perhaps even intentional and nefarious switching of word meanings, has left many in modern society thinking that love and sex are interchangeable terms. The Bible has no issue with people loving (feelings) whoever they want, and we should do good to all (loving actions), but who we have sex with is a matter the Bible clearly speaks to.

Biblically, we should only have sex with someone of the opposite sex (defined by biology not feelings), to whom we are married.

I know, you may not  believe the Bible and do not want it to guide your life in sexual matters or otherwise. OK, fair enough, but please use accurate language as you defend your lifestyle.

There are the feelings of love which we can choose to act on or not, just like there are feelings of hate that we can act on or not. The only reason we might choose to not act on our hate is that some things are wrong (according to some moral standard), then there is surely some standard that dictates where the line between right and wrong is as it relates to acting on loving feelings as well. Kidnapping someone so you could have them all to yourself, because you have such strong loving feelings for them, would be morally wrong for example.

And of course love and sex are not the same thing, so if you mean you can't help who you have loving feelings for I will agree, but if you mean you can't help who you have sex with, that is ridiculous! 

A Case for Political Pacifism, From a Non-Pacifist!

 What I am definitely not saying:

I am not saying that the Bible forbids Christians voting for political candidates or for various amendments, laws, etc.

I am not suggesting that Christians should decline to fight in wars, or refuse to defend themselves or others under certain circumstances. I do believe a case could be made for choosing personal pacifism, not fighting for your own life or rights. However, fighting to protect the weak and defenseless, those in the category of widows and orphans in the Bible, are certainly worthy of our taking up arms if needed, either personally or as part of the armed services. Defending our own lives, so we can continue to protect and provide for the weak in our care, seems like a reasonable case for self defense as well.

I am not saying that I have all the answers about any of these topics.

What I am trying to prove:

That Christians are not commanded to vote in elections, based on Biblical teachings.

And,

That using terminology such as "Christians are obligated to vote", "Christians should vote" or saying things like "All Christians should support... in the coming election", is potentially making a law where God has not. This would be a very dangerous thing, assuming there is no actual biblical mandate to vote! 

The case for Christian political participation: 

I am not aware of any clear biblical teachings about voting in secular political elections, as those who followed Jesus in the time the Bible was authored, had no opportunity to exercise such a right.

Further, 

Even though there was much political corruption and abuse of power, by terrible evil rulers, there is very little said about politics in the NT scriptures, and most rebuking of political characters is reserved for the Jewish leaders and later false teachers in the church, as opposed to secular government figures.  

John the baptist did take the time at some point to rebuke Herod for his sexual sin, but Jesus and Paul used all their time before evil Roman leaders to highlight the kingdom of God and preach the gospel.

With that said, I do think you can make a good case for voting based on general biblical principles of doing what we can to bring about good in the world.

James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

Rom. 12:18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

Matt. 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.

1 Cor. 10:24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.

OK, now that is a pretty short list, but these verses represent the kinds of biblical passages we might use to promote Christian political participation. We would, based on these, likely seek to vote for candidates and policies that would best protect orphans and widows, promote peace, seek to establish a more righteous nation and support policies that are on the whole best for humanity.

I am all for that! However, I do think it is a stretch to insist these must be practiced in the political realm. Clearly they are aimed at our own personal lifestyle, and while that does not preclude using politics to further what we think is best, politics is not the most plain application of them and politics is always a mixed bag. 

We may just as well find we are supporting much evil as we seek to promote good in politics, and we are to be careful of our associations on earth:

2 Cor. 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 

Eph. 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

We also need to be careful we don't get too attached to this kingdom, as we are truly citizens of God's kingdom:

Col. 3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 

Am I taking these verses somewhat out of context? Yes, but I had to do the same with the verses which might be used to support Christian voting. Do I believe these passages forbid Christian voting, definitely not! Nor do I believe any other passages command Christian voting!

What are we commanded to do regarding politics? 

Rom. 13:1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.

1 Tim. 2:1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

OK, so  here are my conclusions based on this very short survey of NT biblical texts regarding the obligations of Christians for politics and in particular voting:

First, while I am very thankful for the freedom to vote, and I generally try to stay informed and exercise that right, I don't believe the scriptures would compel or forbid voting by Christians.

Further, trusting God's sovereignty in the realm of politics is absolutely essential to our faith and witness! Whoever God allows in power, we are to pray for them, and obey them, unless they ask us to sin, in which case we must respectfully decline (Acts 4:18-20). 

Finally, we must be very careful that those lost people we interact with never have the slightest notion that our hope is in anything but Jesus!

1 Pet. 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; ¹⁶ having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. ¹⁷ For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Heaven forbid anyone gets the impression our hope is in any particular candidate or political party!

Bill Nye, is he being dishonest, or is he not at all bright?

It is hard to believe this was meant to be a serious discussion of abortion issues?

 

OK, so Bill Nye says the reasons women should be able to get abortions include:  

1. Because many eggs never get attached to the uterine wall and pass from the woman’s body on their own?

Really? Does that have anything to do with a child being ripped from the womb who has already developed to the point of being recognizable as a human?

2. Because the woman may not like the man who got her pregnant?

OK, now what if she does not discover he is a jerk until the baby is 6 months old? Should she kill the baby then? What does the life of the baby have to do with how much the mother likes the father?

3. Because we would not even know about how eggs are fertilized or many other things without science.

Again, how does what we know about reproduction from science translate into making killing unborn babies ok?

      4. Laws restricting abortion are in nobody’s best interest.

I think the baby would disagree!

False teachers and their undermining of the scriptures with emotional arguments.

Those who seek to force the church to accept lifestyles as normal, that the scriptures clearly condemn, are using emotional arguments that highlight the suffering of those who are being told they should repent of such lifestyles, rather than embrace them. There are many problems with the logic of these arguments and of course it puts human experience over scripture. James White has done a three part response to David Gushee, a leader in this false teaching movement which can be accessed through the links below. It might help us prepare to refute such arguments, if we fully understand what they are. 

James White refuting false teaching part 1

James White refuting false teaching part 2

James White refuting false teaching part 3

Predictions on the future of the U.S. church, from James White!

This video appeared on Wretchedradio.com

Hands up, don't shoot!

Justice is important and I can't get into anyone else's head and fully understand their perspective on things like the shooting of the young man in Ferguson. However, as our notion of justice comes from God, we all must consider how we will respond to Him when confronted with our sin.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Jesus came to save sinners, He condescended and entered our world to satisfy God's justice on a cross, so all who believe upon Him could be saved and avoid facing God's justice for themselves! But if we deny our sin, blame others, accuse God of being unjust, etc, we won't embrace the one hope God has graciously offered us. His word continues -

¹⁸ “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. ¹⁹ And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. ²⁰ For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. ²¹ But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

We must surrender to God and His justice, we must figuratively raise our hands and plead for mercy, not declare our innocence or accuse God of unfairness, but agree with His assessment of us - that we are guilty of sin against Him, and in doing so we can receive the forgiveness He offers us through faith in Jesus Christ! 

If we come to understand our guilt before God and His perfect justice and grace toward us in Jesus, maybe we can make far greater progress in seeking and accepting justice here.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Questions about the Pope's comments on evolution?

As Usual, Dr. Mohler does a great job of unpacking many shocking current events, and helps us consider them through a biblical worldview! Follow the link below to listen, and be thankful we have voices of truth like his.

Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr.'s latest cultural commentary

Pastors being forced to turn over sermons that mention homosexuality and gender ID?

I assumed this kind of thing was coming, but I am shocked it has happened so quickly! See the Fox News article linked here - Persecution of Pastors in Houston!

Could another world war be on the way?

Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr. makes some very important parallels between the actions of Vladimir Putin and those who started the world wars of the 20th century.

Here is the link - The Briefing