The Call of the Church is NOT Social Issues

Saucy

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It seems like wherever I look, I see more people getting tangled up in social issues, even Christians who believe it's their job to illuminate social issues and morally good to fight for them.

I find myself working harder to pull away from political battles, as they do nothing but stir up strife and hatred, even among Christians. I see the way we treat each other here, myself included, saying evil and horrible things to each other because of who we support or don't support. I think it needs to stop and we move past this.

One day, whether it's today or 7 years from now, Donald Trump will be out of office, and what will we have left? What part did we play in dividing the church and sowing hatred over a political figure who is here today, gone tomorrow?

Here's a good snippet from Alistair Begg:

 

2PhiloVoid

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It seems like wherever I look, I see more people getting tangled up in social issues, even Christians who believe it's their job to illuminate social issues and morally good to fight for them.

I find myself working harder to pull away from political battles, as they do nothing but stir up strife and hatred, even among Christians. I see the way we treat each other here, myself included, saying evil and horrible things to each other because of who we support or don't support. I think it needs to stop and we move past this.

One day, whether it's today or 7 years from now, Donald Trump will be out of office, and what will we have left? What part did we play in dividing the church and sowing hatred over a political figure who is here today, gone tomorrow?

Here's a good snippet from Alistair Begg:


...but what if the social issues entangle themselves upon the Christian? And while I can agree that Christians who chase after political power in theonomic terms are probably severely misguided in their views, does this mean that we Christians can't or shouldn't be seeking any political offices or associations with political lobbyists of any sort?

When Jesus says that we are to seek to put into effect 'justice,' I'm pretty confident in thinking that He didn't ONLY mean for us to spread the Gospel so people can be merely liberated from their sins and become couch sitting, stay at homes Christians. I mean prayer, as but one example, isn't really supposed to be just another form of thumb twiddling. :rolleyes:
 
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Saucy

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I often bring up that the bible says we must submit to our leaders and pray for them and not rebel against them, and it drives people mad. We can have our beliefs and ideals, definitely. I will continue to vote, and taking part in those things is part of being an American (or part of being where you're from that allows democratic voting, etc). But getting so entrenched in these issues, fighting each other, calling names, and even thinking of someone on the other end of the political spectrum as the 'enemy' because they don't vote like you is absolutely atrocious and not what Christ had in mind.

If you have beliefs and ideals, wonderful. If your expression of those divides the church, I don't think it's a good thing at all. It doesn't push forward the gospel of Christ. Calling me a name, like ignorant, racist, deplorable, etc, because I support Donald Trump, or questioning my faith, etc, is not going to do anything good. You're just angry, and that anger and bitterness is going to seep through into other parts of your life.

I've engaged in it for too long on this forum and other places. I got so consumed with these issues that I became angry and said mean things to others. What does that do for expanding the gospel of Christ? NOT A SINGLE THING. Why should I get so bent on supporting a single candidate that is here today, gone tomorrow? Then there will be a new guy/gal up there we're told to love or hate and the cycle starts all over again. It's a distraction from the enemy, nothing more.
 
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2PhiloVoid

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I often bring up that the bible says we must submit to our leaders and pray for them and not rebel against them, and it drives people mad. We can have our beliefs and ideals, definitely. I will continue to vote, and taking part in those things is part of being an American (or part of being where you're from that allows democratic voting, etc). But getting so entrenched in these issues, fighting each other, calling names, and even thinking of someone on the other end of the political spectrum as the 'enemy' because they don't vote like you is absolutely atrocious and not what Christ had in mind.

If you have beliefs and ideals, wonderful. If your expression of those divides the church, I don't think it's a good thing at all. It doesn't push forward the gospel of Christ. Calling me a name, like ignorant, racist, deplorable, etc, because I support Donald Trump, or questioning my faith, etc, is not going to do anything good. You're just angry, and that anger and bitterness is going to seep through into other parts of your life.

I've engaged in it for too long on this forum and other places. I got so consumed with these issues that I became angry and said mean things to others. What does that do for expanding the gospel of Christ? NOT A SINGLE THING. Why should I get so bent on supporting a single candidate that is here today, gone tomorrow? Then there will be a new guy/gal up there we're told to love or hate and the cycle starts all over again. It's a distraction from the enemy, nothing more.

Oh. Well, if that's what you mean, then "Amen, brother!" ;)
 
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yeshuaslavejeff

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I find myself working harder to pull away from political battles, as they do nothing but stir up strife and hatred, even among Christians.
A good soldier does not entangle himself in the affairs (or politics) of the world.

Serve the Father, always listening to Him and doing as He says. This is the one thing that is needed ... (like Mary choosing to sit at Jesus' feet to listen to Him --- no politics or policies in the world or even in the city right outside her door made any difference to her nor would distract her from listening to Jesus - hopefully Martha sat down and listened to Jesus also, with Mary, after He told her to leave Mary alone because Mary had chosen the ONE THING NEEDED, ONE THING IMPORTANT at the time)
 
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dreadnought

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It seems like wherever I look, I see more people getting tangled up in social issues, even Christians who believe it's their job to illuminate social issues and morally good to fight for them.

I find myself working harder to pull away from political battles, as they do nothing but stir up strife and hatred, even among Christians. I see the way we treat each other here, myself included, saying evil and horrible things to each other because of who we support or don't support. I think it needs to stop and we move past this.

One day, whether it's today or 7 years from now, Donald Trump will be out of office, and what will we have left? What part did we play in dividing the church and sowing hatred over a political figure who is here today, gone tomorrow?

Here's a good snippet from Alistair Begg:

In the 1980's the Lord led me to repent of sins I was committing. Then, suddenly, my life was transformed into indescribable beauty. "Repent, the kingdom of heaven is at hand," Jesus preached. I wish our pastors would preach that, too, instead of constantly banging us over the head with social issues.
 
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JackRT

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The late Archbishop Dom Helder Camara (of Recife Brazil): "When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why they are poor, they call me a communist."
 
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Angeldove97

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We are God's hands and feet. A hand has a different purpose than a foot does. So too with our missions - what we each are individually called to do - each being a part of the Church - to get His will done on Earth. My mission is only for me - I can push it off and think someone else will do it. I can't even try to fathom doing your mission because God has not prepared me for that kind of a thing.

So... for many Christians their call will be social justice for those who do not have a voice. My Mom works for a non-profit organization helping those with some kind of disability to make sure they have a place to live, can get health care, and have basic needs. She is doing God's work on Earth right now. My calling is to teach students to be good people and know real science when they see it. Both have value and are needed in this world to further His work.
 
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Angeldove97

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And I should add... if you are finding that you are meeting your path in a way that doesn't leave you feeling fulfilled and knowing the struggle is worth it for Christ, maybe you need to choose a different path.

I personally don't find any value in debating politics with certain people. It puts anger and hatred where there shouldn't be any. My Mom is a staunch Trump supporter and I just can't fathom her responses on certain things President Trump did before and after he became President. So we don't talk politics as that doesn't further God's work at all.
 
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JackRT

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To me, being a Christian is far more than believing all the right things and spending our lives in prayer. It is more difficult than that. We must work for the betterment of humanity and, more often than not, that involves social justice issues. Are we serious about our Christianity or not?
 
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Angeldove97

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I wish our pastors would preach that, too, instead of constantly banging us over the head with social issues.

Maybe pastors choose to preach on that topic frequently because they have these Bible verse in mind...

Titus 3:14-
"Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful."

Galatians 5:22-23-
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

1 John 3:18-
"Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth."
 
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dreadnought

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Maybe pastors choose to preach on that topic frequently because they have these Bible verse in mind...

Titus 3:14-
"Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful."

Galatians 5:22-23-
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

1 John 3:18-
"Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth."
If you're going to preach the same sermon every Sunday, preach this sermon:

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matt 4:17 RSV
 
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Saucy

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The point of this thread certainly isn't to challenge what God has called for your life, but how we treat each other. For example, I don't think God would want you to have strife with your mom about Trump (not that you do). He's a flawed man, definietly, but I see too many who HATE his guts, and that's not biblical either. Or for me to hate anyone because they dont agree with me. These issues, in the grand scheme of things, dont matter and only hurt your testimony.
 
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RDKirk

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...but what if the social issues entangle themselves upon the Christian? And while I can agree that Christians who chase after political power in theonomic terms are probably severely misguided in their views, does this mean that we Christians can't or shouldn't be seeking any political offices or associations with political lobbyists of any sort?

I'd say that it does, such as:

No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. -- 2 Timothy 2

The first two chapters of 1 Peter very carefully lays out how and why the Church is separate from the world...not to mention Jesus having already said so.

You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. -- James 4

You can't win a popular election without being a friend to enough of the world to gain more votes than the other guy.

When Jesus says that we are to seek to put into effect 'justice,'

When did He say that? What verse? Let's make sure we understand the context of whenever He said it.

I'm pretty confident in thinking that He didn't ONLY mean for us to spread the Gospel so people can be merely liberated from their sins and become couch sitting, stay at homes Christians.

Of course not. The Body of Christ is supposed to be in all nations making disciples, and as members of the Body each one of us should be actively performing our particular roles in that mission.
 
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Dave-W

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I'd point out that Paul was talking about the poor within the Body of Christ.
Not necessarily. More likely poor Jews.
 
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RDKirk

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Not necessarily. More likely poor Jews.

Who, in fact, did Paul actually collect money for? It was, specifically, for the congregation in Jerusalem. Who did the church in Jerusalem, in fact, deliver money to? It was to those members who needed it.
 
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Dave-W

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Who, in fact, did Paul actually collect money for? It was, specifically, for the congregation in Jerusalem.
But that was NOT what Peter et al told him in Galatians. they were talking about Paul taking the gospel to the gentiles and Jews in the diaspora (greek towns)

Yes Paul took collection(s) for the congregation in Jerusalem, but that was clearly NOT the conversation in Galatians. Go read it.
 
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zephcom

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It seems like wherever I look, I see more people getting tangled up in social issues, even Christians who believe it's their job to illuminate social issues and morally good to fight for them.

I find myself working harder to pull away from political battles, as they do nothing but stir up strife and hatred, even among Christians. I see the way we treat each other here, myself included, saying evil and horrible things to each other because of who we support or don't support. I think it needs to stop and we move past this.

One day, whether it's today or 7 years from now, Donald Trump will be out of office, and what will we have left? What part did we play in dividing the church and sowing hatred over a political figure who is here today, gone tomorrow?

Here's a good snippet from Alistair Begg:


Interesting question about what we will have left post Trump. Probably not much. Russia will possess all our national secrets, launch codes, and where Hoffa is buried. Russia will control our electrical grids, our monetary system, and our military. The election systems will no longer be controlled by states and counties.

This is what treason at the highest levels means. We become a puppet nation to whatever country subverted us.

I'm guessing there are more than a few people who think that will be just fine since Russia is a Caucasian nation with a well known aversion to minorities, homosexuals and anyone else who looks different.

Learning Russian, however, is going to be pain for everyone. It is a VERY difficult language to learn.

OTOH, maybe Americans need to have their egos deflated a bit.

Just some thoughts.....
 
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