Never discuss politics and religion I have heard. So have
you. The reason of course is that more often than not expressing our views on
both subjects usually arouses arguments; unless you are discussing both subjects
with someone that agrees with your views on either of them. I appreciate the
differences in people. In saying that I am not condoning the behaviors or
opinions that people have or do that is in opposition to the Bible. Jesus told
the Pharisees that if you only show kindness and love to those who love you,
then you are no better than tax collectors. The tax collectors of course being
the people that the Jews considered traders and hated them for helping the
Roman government.
God created mankind with the ability to choose what we
think. On the one hand it is a curse and yet on the other it is a blessing. Right
thinking will lead to right behavior and wrong thinking usually leads to wrong
behavior. If you think you can fly and jump off a cliff without a parachute you
would realize you were wrong in your thinking. When I observe or hear how
people think in regards to religion or politics I respect their God given
ability to think as they do. I also have that same ability and think
differently than they do sometimes. When they do not think the same way I do it is easy to view them as tax collectors. Just as with the example of someone jumping off a cliff, their
thinking may lead them into disaster unless they consider why someone else
thinks you will need a parachute.
I am often asked if I am a Republican or a Democrat and I always
answer that I am neither. The Bible teaches that, [1]“But you are a chosen generation, a royal
priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the
praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” Our
political party system does not have a “holy nation party” so therefore I say
that I am a Christian, one of His own special people. The Bible clearly teaches
that Christians are to acknowledge politics and government. [2]“Let every person be subject to the
governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those
that exist have been instituted by God.” What does that mean? It means that
those who are in office were allowed to be in office by God, even if they were
elected. I may have not voted for the man or woman that was elected but it is
my duty to pray for them; [3]“And the Lord's servant must not be
quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,
correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance
leading to a knowledge of the truth.”
Did you catch that? “Patiently enduring evil, correcting his
opponents with gentleness.” I am not afraid to discuss religion or politics
with anyone. If it leads to a conflict of opinions then that is okay; the other
person is loved as much by God as I am. They may be ready to jump off a cliff
without a parachute so I have a duty to suggest they consider their actions,
but I should not jump off the cliff too and argue with them on the way down.
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