No peace in politics.

W2L

Well-Known Member
Jun 26, 2016
20,081
10,988
USA
✟213,573.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
I very much dislike the strife in politics. There is no rest for ones soul, only endless contention. Who could seek peace and politics at the same time? Not me. Its like both sides are trying to destroy the other, and no hope for peace in sight.
 

NW82

Well-Known Member
Jul 22, 2017
831
533
42
Chicago, IL
✟80,336.00
Country
United States
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Divorced
Politics
US-Libertarian
Well if everyone followed what Christ taught we wouldn't have this problem. Unfortunately the term Christian has been so torn from what Christ taught that it means very little to people. The Bible clearly lays out what is right and what is wrong, but the "progressives" in our society want to make sure we don't offend, so what is right is termed what is wrong. To be fair this was predicted: 2 Timothy 3. If anyone who claims to be Christian is in that category they need to re-read their Bible.
 
Upvote 0

com7fy8

Well-Known Member
May 22, 2013
13,648
6,107
Massachusetts
✟583,317.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
"No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier." (2 Timothy 2:4)

So, also, we need to not let ourselves get tangled up with trying to figure out and judge what is going on and judging.

And, "first of all", pray "for" the people > 1 Timothy 2:1-4. If we find out someone is wrong, this can be a signal that we need to pray for the person and have hope for all which is possible with God . . . like Jesus suffered and died like He did with hope for any and all people.

Am I at least as good at pointing out how I myself am wrong, so people are wise to me and do not go along with how I might try to trick them???????

There also are people who are misleading our attention.
 
Upvote 0

W2L

Well-Known Member
Jun 26, 2016
20,081
10,988
USA
✟213,573.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
Well if everyone followed what Christ taught we wouldn't have this problem. Unfortunately the term Christian has been so torn from what Christ taught that it means very little to people. The Bible clearly lays out what is right and what is wrong, but the "progressives" in our society want to make sure we don't offend, so what is right is termed what is wrong. To be fair this was predicted: 2 Timothy 3. If anyone who claims to be Christian is in that category they need to re-read their Bible.

"No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier." (2 Timothy 2:4)

So, also, we need to not let ourselves get tangled up with trying to figure out and judge what is going on and judging.

And, "first of all", pray "for" the people > 1 Timothy 2:1-4. If we find out someone is wrong, this can be a signal that we need to pray for the person and have hope for all which is possible with God . . . like Jesus suffered and died like He did with hope for any and all people.

Am I at least as good at pointing out how I myself am wrong, so people are wise to me and do not go along with how I might try to trick them???????

There also are people who are misleading our attention.
I wonder if politics hinders our ability to love one another.
 
Upvote 0

Seventeen76

A long way from 1776 and well into 1984.
Nov 29, 2018
66
47
Florida
✟2,930.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Libertarian
context. We live in a fallen world. The USA was a great experiment in self-governance where we laid a foundation of God and Liberty, but with it came the burden of personal accountability, responsibility, charity, and morality.

As should have been expected, this exercise in self government is increasingly failing as have all man led governments since the Jews rejected God's leadership and asked for a King.

So here we are, in an increasingly secular society, with a population spoiled by historic levels of wealth and as we slide into perversion, greed, envy and sloth, politics has become a means to an ends...Americans increasingly vote for politicians who will give them more and more free goodies looted from anonymous neighbors and promote a greater tolerance of their hedonistic vices.

No surprise then, that the politics is so divisive.
Sit back, watch the show and take solace in the fact that this was all predicted and makes perfect sense in the greater context of man's fall and need for salvation in the afterlife.
 
  • Informative
Reactions: W2L
Upvote 0

com7fy8

Well-Known Member
May 22, 2013
13,648
6,107
Massachusetts
✟583,317.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
I wonder if politics hinders our ability to love one another.
As I pay attention to political things, I can pray about what God wants me to see; and I am reminded that Jesus wants us to love any and all people. As I see that certain politicians have problems, this can remind me that they have character problems and need prayer, "first of all" > 1 Timothy 2:1-4. And I can be reminded by their bad behavior of how it can be me . . . trying to lord myself over others, for example.

"nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock." (1 Peter 5:3)

But there are ones who seem more a good example for me, somehow, too. There are ones who do not make a project of criticizing and competing with others. So, this can remind me first to have compassion, not to welcome excuses to feel superior to other people and to put down people > Hebrews 5:2.

I might be jealous that others are getting the publicity and attention and power; but we might be able to do more in face-to-face personal sharing and caring, than power players in government might do only on a secular and material basis!! :)
 
Upvote 0

W2L

Well-Known Member
Jun 26, 2016
20,081
10,988
USA
✟213,573.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
As I pay attention to political things, I can pray about what God wants me to see; and I am reminded that Jesus wants us to love any and all people. As I see that certain politicians have problems, this can remind me that they have character problems and need prayer, "first of all" > 1 Timothy 2:1-4. And I can be reminded by their bad behavior of how it can be me . . . trying to lord myself over others, for example.

"nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock." (1 Peter 5:3)

But there are ones who seem more a good example for me, somehow, too. There are ones who do not make a project of criticizing and competing with others. So, this can remind me first to have compassion, not to welcome excuses to feel superior to other people and to put down people > Hebrews 5:2.

I might be jealous that others are getting the publicity and attention and power; but we might be able to do more in face-to-face personal sharing and caring, than power players in government might do only on a secular and material basis!! :)
Politics seem to burden the soul with strife and endless contention.. Is that good?
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

com7fy8

Well-Known Member
May 22, 2013
13,648
6,107
Massachusetts
✟583,317.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Politics seem to burden the soul with strife and endless contention.. Is that good?
No, it is not good. But not all politicians are into this.

Likewise, we could say there is a lot of fighting in marriage, and a fifty-percent divorce rate, more or less. So, do we decide to stop marriage?

But in giving our attention to politics, we can stay prayerful and trust God to keep us from giving in to strife and contention. And in marriage > also, trust God to deeply change us so we by nature more and better do not allow strife and contention and bitterness to get the better of us.

"Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them." (Colossians 3:19)

"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:31-32)
 
Upvote 0

W2L

Well-Known Member
Jun 26, 2016
20,081
10,988
USA
✟213,573.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
No, it is not good. But not all politicians are into this.

Likewise, we could say there is a lot of fighting in marriage, and a fifty-percent divorce rate, more or less. So, do we decide to stop marriage?

But in giving our attention to politics, we can stay prayerful and trust God to keep us from giving in to strife and contention. And in marriage > also, trust God to deeply change us so we by nature more and better do not allow strife and contention and bitterness to get the better of us.

"Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them." (Colossians 3:19)

"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:31-32)
So we are married to politicians? I thought we were supposed to be separate from the world and married to Christ?
 
Upvote 0

com7fy8

Well-Known Member
May 22, 2013
13,648
6,107
Massachusetts
✟583,317.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
So we are married to politicians?
not what I meant

I thought we were supposed to be separate from the world and married to Christ?
Yes, we are married to Jesus.

But Jesus did pay attention to what wrong people did, and He would comment.

"No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier." (2 Timothy 2:4)

So, while we do get involved in things which are happening in this world, we need to make sure we do not get tangled in it, and do not allow it to have power over us.

And most of all we can help with our example, I consider.
 
Upvote 0

W2L

Well-Known Member
Jun 26, 2016
20,081
10,988
USA
✟213,573.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
not what I meant

Yes, we are married to Jesus.

But Jesus did pay attention to what wrong people did, and He would comment.

"No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier." (2 Timothy 2:4)

So, while we do get involved in things which are happening in this world, we need to make sure we do not get tangled in it, and do not allow it to have power over us.

And most of all we can help with our example, I consider.
Both sides are forever hopelessly deadlocked. Its like politics are designed to fail. They are designed to be divisive. How can that be a part of the body of Christ?
 
Upvote 0

com7fy8

Well-Known Member
May 22, 2013
13,648
6,107
Massachusetts
✟583,317.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Both sides are forever hopelessly deadlocked.
If both sides are mainly worldly people, this is why. But I think we have some number of Christian people who work in politics, but not how the divisive ones behave.

Its like politics are designed to fail.
The worldly ones fail > "without Me you can do nothing," Jesus says in John 15:5. Plus, "God resists the proud," we have in both James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5. But God does use leaders as He pleases. He can have things work out.

They are designed to be divisive. How can that be a part of the body of Christ?
Divisiveness is not part of the obedient sharing of Christian people.

But God does use secular leaders, like our Apostle Paul shares in Romans chapter 13.

Also > even if you have a family of roguish people, this does not stop you from sharing with them and talking about things in their lives, does it? And if you can do something good, don't you do it . . . even if others won't?

Like this, a Christian can be involved, but the person can stay with doing what is good, and being a good example of how to relate. The Christian can reach to others.

But I do think it is good to lead and influence by example, not to force and pressure people. God wants freely given obedience and love.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

W2L

Well-Known Member
Jun 26, 2016
20,081
10,988
USA
✟213,573.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
If both sides are mainly worldly people, this is why. But I think we have some number of Christian people who work in politics, but not how the divisive ones behave.

The worldly ones fail > "without Me you can do nothing," Jesus says in John 15:5. Plus, "God resists the proud," we have in both James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5. But God does use leaders as He pleases. He can have things work out.

Divisiveness is not part of the obedient sharing of Christian people.

But God does use secular leaders, like our Apostle Paul shares in Romans chapter 13.

Also > even if you have a family of roguish people, this does not stop you from sharing with them and talking about things in their lives, does it? And if you can do something good, don't you do it . . . even if others won't?

Like this, a Christian can be involved, but the person can stay with doing what is good, and being a good example of how to relate. The Christian can reach to others.

But I do think it is good to lead and influence by example, not to force and pressure people. God wants freely given obedience and love.

If both sides are mainly worldly people, this is why. But I think we have some number of Christian people who work in politics, but not how the divisive ones behave.
Both democrat and republican have people who claim to be christian.

The worldly ones fail > "without Me you can do nothing," Jesus says in John 15:5. Plus, "God resists the proud," we have in both James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5. But God does use leaders as He pleases. He can have things work out.

Yes God used Rome and Babylon to do His will yet didn't he punish them too?

Divisiveness is not part of the obedient sharing of Christian people.

But thats what politics do, they divide us into republicans and democrats. So how can we have those politics in the church?

But God does use secular leaders, like our Apostle Paul shares in Romans chapter 13.

Like pagan Rome and Babylon. Can light and darkness have fellowship? Politics divides us and conquers us, just like spiritual Rome and Babylon does.

Also > even if you have a family of roguish people, this does not stop you from sharing with them and talking about things in their lives, does it? And if you can do something good, don't you do it . . . even if others won't?

But if it causes division and strife is that healthy for the family of God?

Like this, a Christian can be involved, but the person can stay with doing what is good, and being a good example of how to relate. The Christian can reach to others.

But I do think it is good to lead and influence by example, not to force and pressure people. God wants freely given obedience and love.

What of the division though?
 
Upvote 0

com7fy8

Well-Known Member
May 22, 2013
13,648
6,107
Massachusetts
✟583,317.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
But thats what politics do, they divide us into republicans and democrats. So how can we have those politics in the church?
With God, we can refuse to be under the power of politics. We can use them, though, how He pleases. We can pray and obey how God personally guides us in His peace, and not boast what politics can do, but know how God is able.

There are ones who boast that their politics can do much good, while others boast how politics can bring down Christians. But with God we can make His good use of everything.

And yes we are commanded not to have any divisions among us. We will answer for if we do this. 1 Corinthians 1:10 >

"Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." (1 Corinthians 1:10)

Can light and darkness have fellowship? Politics divides us and conquers us, just like spiritual Rome and Babylon does.
No - - light can not have fellowship with darkness. But with God we can be kept from being overcome by politics. We can stay with doing only what God has us doing, and make sure our attention is guided by Him.

"No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier." (2 Timothy 2:4)

I can get involved with politics, by praying for howsoever God pleases to bless any and all of the people, including how He would change the character of any evil person. Jesus on the cross died with hope for any evil person; so my involvement needs to be with hope for every person > love "hopes all things" (in 1 Corinthians 13:7).

What of the division though?
Whoever is obeying God is not divided from others who are obeying God. And with God we can make His use of government people. And yes God has punished wrong government people, but also He did make His use of them. This does not mean He fellowships with wrong people whom He uses for His purpose.

Also . . . not all division is between Christians. There are ones who do obey God, and others disagree with them. This is division, but it is not the fault of the ones obeying God.

In a division, both sides can be wrong, in which case it is not Christian to take either side. I think I am seeing how ones are claiming one candidate is not as bad as another, though that one is certainly not good. But Jesus said it was wrong for the self-righteous one at the temple to look down on the tax collector. Both were wrong. But the one who repented was justified. So, it certainly can be wrong to judge one person to be better than another who seems more obviously against God.

So, if we are somehow involved with politics, we need to make sure we are first busy with seeking however God knows we ourselves need His correction >

"For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?" (1 Peter 4:17)
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

W2L

Well-Known Member
Jun 26, 2016
20,081
10,988
USA
✟213,573.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
With God, we can refuse to be under the power of politics. We can use them, though, how He pleases. We can pray and obey how God personally guides us in His peace, and not boast what politics can do, but know how God is able.

There are ones who boast that their politics can do much good, while others boast how politics can bring down Christians. But with God we can make His good use of everything.

And yes we are commanded not to have any divisions among us. We will answer for if we do this. 1 Corinthians 1:10 >

"Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." (1 Corinthians 1:10)

No - - light can not have fellowship with darkness. But with God we can be kept from being overcome by politics. We can stay with doing only what God has us doing, and make sure our attention is guided by Him.

"No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier." (2 Timothy 2:4)

I can get involved with politics, by praying for howsoever God pleases to bless any and all of the people, including how He would change the character of any evil person. Jesus on the cross died with hope for any evil person; so my involvement needs to be with hope for every person > love "hopes all things" (in 1 Corinthians 13:7).

Whoever is obeying God is not divided from others who are obeying God. And with God we can make His use of government people. And yes God has punished wrong government people, but also He did make His use of them. This does not mean He fellowships with wrong people whom He uses for His purpose.

Also . . . not all division is between Christians. There are ones who do obey God, and others disagree with them. This is division, but it is not the fault of the ones obeying God.

In a division, both sides can be wrong, in which case it is not Christian to take either side. I think I am seeing how ones are claiming one candidate is not as bad as another, though that one is certainly not good. But Jesus said it was wrong for the self-righteous one at the temple to look down on the tax collector. Both were wrong. But the one who repented was justified. So, it certainly can be wrong to judge one person to be better than another who seems more obviously against God.

So, if we are somehow involved with politics, we need to make sure we are first busy with seeking however God knows we ourselves need His correction >

"For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?" (1 Peter 4:17)
Thank you for the reply. In politics i see Christians tearing each other down, causing frustration instead of peace, causing hate instead of love. Thats not the way i see in scripture.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

com7fy8

Well-Known Member
May 22, 2013
13,648
6,107
Massachusetts
✟583,317.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
causing hate instead of love
There are wrong people who are saying Christians hate them because the Christians point out that they are wrong.

Also, children can scream that you hate them, if you say no to how they are wrong or no to what you know is not best for them.

But there is the right way to point out how someone is wrong. And there are plenty of wrong ways which can be hateful.

So, not all are alike. God knows the secrets of our hearts.
 
Upvote 0