The allegiance should not even by the church or politics.
I meant that in respect to compromise. When a person is blind they’ll believe they’re doing the right thing even when their actions prove otherwise. If they’re heeding the party’s voice and believers are caught in the fray don’t expect them to switch gears. That‘s why I likened their behavior to a cult and said they can’t be trusted.
Don’t you remember what happened during the pandemic when people reported their neighbors? Here’s
snippet from a piece by The Washington Times.
Now certain politicians are asking the citizenry to lower themselves to a level normally occupied by the establishment’s cynical and self-obsessed machinery: Snitch, they say. Spy on and turn in your less-than-perfect neighbors. You will be rewarded, the politicians say, for indulging the worst in yourself. The system needs you to become a cog in the wheel of a system run by politicians who ruin cities and lives.
“New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio urged residents Saturday to turn in neighbors who fail to follow social distancing rules, encouraging them to text photos of violators and report their location to a government hotline,” The Washington Times reported.
Mr. de Blasio told New Yorkers to use the city’s non-emergency 311 number, “and action will ensue.” He said “Now it is easier than ever. When you see a crowd, when you see a line that’s not distanced, when you see a supermarket that’s too crowded, anything, you can report it right away so we can get help there to fix the problem,” he said in a statement, the newspaper reported.
But it’s not just New York where liberals are excited at the opportunity to train people to further divide their own communities. The mayor of deep blue Austin, Texas, is urging citizens there to snitch on their neighbors, too. Red State reported the mayor urging residents to report those who are not complying with his order, “If you see violations in the community, construction sites, restaurants, it would be good to call 311 and let the city and county know what’s happening.”
That is the culture war that has been brewing for years. Even churches get political with each other now like they are opposing identies with the broad church of God. But like you say mostly they are more aligned with secular ideas and use religion to justify their different positions. How can there be so many divided groups libing in the one church and society.
You can’t establish a new order when unity is plentiful. It requires division. The internet allowed them to put us in a million boxes. While race and inequality were bigger issues before its arrival. We’ve discovered new ways to separate and disagree to the point where we’re isolated, in echo chambers or friendless. Once upon a time we focused on common denominators most. Now difference is the litmus test instead.
This is spooky stuff lol. I remeber something about Trump and South Park lol. Maybe Trump is the anti Christ. Doesn't the bible say that the anti Christ will bring peace to the middle east of 7 years. Then it will be broken half way through. If that happens I am heading for the hills lol.
I don’t believe he’s the one the bible speaks of but he’s on the team nonetheless and moving us closer to that point,
Since his death I hear some people saying anyone who supports Kirks beliefs is spreading hate. Kirk seemed to align with Trump or Trump with Kirk. How do Christians and conservatives reconsile this.
You can’t run in those circles and be unscathed. There’s a ceiling in place for everyone and you don’t move beyond it without agreement. I don’t view him in the light the majority do. Cronyism is an integral part of certain echelons. They don’t open their wallets and bring you into their world without guarantees in place. You have to keep their secrets and that’s only possible if they have something on you as well. That’s how it works.
Christians have entered a dangerous practice of fandom. They’re enamored with people and ideologies and desperate for a win. They want a hero they can point to that others can follow and we see the same in church. They’re drawn to personalities. Our focal point is Christ not human representatives. We may share
some of His qualities. But we shouldn’t be exalted or smitten with anyone to the point where we’re unable to acknowledge their imperfections because of our allegiance.
What if people were to go out in public and speak of the same beliefs. Is this now a problem for Christians. Should they be careful or keep quiet in how they speak about their beliefs.
Do you think there is a conflict between the ideas and beliefs of the public square and Christian beliefs. Which may align with conservative views at times. Where is the line.
I think there’s a place for candid conversations. But allowing our beliefs to reveal themselves through our actions and countenance should be the goal. I’m reminded of a neighbor that lived next door years ago. I didn’t know her well but one year she left a tin of cookies for Christmas. I knocked on the door to thank her and we chatted for a bit and she told me I reminded her of Tebow. I didn’t know who she was talking about and she told me to look him up.
I did and I was shocked. We weren’t acquainted and never discussed the Lord. But we shared a wall in the room where I prayed. I was serving a lot during that period and going to church four times per week. She explained the reason later on when we conversed and likened my faith to the scripture he wore on his forehead. Although we were strangers she wasn’t wrong. I was ministering in my neighborhood too with the homeless, baristas at Starbucks, employees at Whole Foods, prayer walking and talking to strangers. I used to pray for divine appointments every day and they were plentiful.
But I didn’t talk about God at first. I spent a lot of time listening, recognizing their presence, sharing an encouraging word and offering support. I complimented their work and genuinely enjoyed their company. Because of my interest in them as a person (irrespective of my beliefs) I had an opportunity to share my faith or offers for prayer and wasn’t rebuffed.
I share that to illustrate the necessity of being kind and not treating people like projects or talking at them. This is an area where they’re unenlightened or may be weak but we have ours as well and sometimes we forget that. You mentioned conservative views and I don’t embrace that for myself. But I can tailor my conversation to anyone and find common ground without resorting to conflict.
I lead with love when I’m addressing people who believe differently. We’re all in the dark at some point and I remember how it felt to be supported and allowed to find the answers devoid of pressure or heavy handedness. I was welcomed and made to feel at home and treated like family because I was one of them due to my presence. Not on account of my beliefs. It’s the essence of oneness and it left an imprint that became a hallmark of my ministry.
If you’re going to have a platform it should be anointed. Whether it’s in the public domain or in person. It’s a different battle spiritually and you need to be equipped. That doesn’t mean you can’t share your opinions or experiences but scale makes a difference. And you need to know your flock. No message resonates with everyone and there’s usually a burden involved. The less we identify with philosophies that divide the richer our soil becomes. We limit our effectiveness when we put ourselves in a box.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t address spiritual gifts in relation to your question. That’s why I mentioned anointing earlier. There are people in positions of visibility throughout society who serve as ambassadors for the kingdom. You don’t have to stand on a stage and discuss your faith to be among that group. But you’ll be in a position with some measure of influence that provides opportunities to be a light demonstratively. It’s not without risks and you’re willing to endure them for His sake.
But that doesn’t imply others must follow suit or threaten their livelihood to be bold. Every assignment differs and the Lord is strategic. How you’d conduct yourself in a boardroom will differ from someone with a christian youtube channel. It’s a different sandbox which determines our procession. That’s why we shouldn’t mimic anyone and allow the Lord to direct our course. What worked for Billy Graham may not apply to us and its a different mantle. Which determines the scope, scale and opposition.
When you understand the principle of altars, stars and mantles you cease to emulate. It’s the Elijah/Elisha paradigm. In the early days of my walk I imagined myself ministering on stage like Joyce Meyers. I didn’t want to be her but I knew I could do it because of my talent. If I limited myself to her example I would have missed my blessing. He gave me something beyond it I’d never imagine that I loved as a child.
It’s okay to be inspired by someone. But the Lord must build the house to His specifications not ours. The message will have more potency when you operate from that place.
~bella
