- Oct 13, 2009
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Dear friends, greetings in the blessed Name of our Lord Jesus Christ 
. As Christians we are called by the Lord Jesus Christ to not judge (Luke 6:37). However, this seems to be what we do most often, i.e., we are quick to jump to conclusions. We judge people around us based on their appearance, wealth, societal standing, by what they do and say. Although a person’s character is most often defined by what they do and say (Matthew 7:16, Luke 6:45), it’s not always and entirely possible to judge someone this way as only God knows the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Ironically, 1 Samuel 16:7 relates to the anointing of King David, a man after God’s own Heart (1 Samuel 13:14) who actually ended up becoming a murderer and adulterer (2 Samuel 11, 12). This doesn’t mean that God’s Purpose and Will failed, rather that His Justice was swiftly executed even on His most beloved saint (2 Samuel 12:11-12). What’s heartening from this story is that even the vilest sinner can be forgiven. To his credit King David proved himself to be the chosen one by repenting right away (2 Samuel 12:13), a penitence that was produced in him by the Holy Spirit. That brings me to this question: would we have discarded David as an unlikely candidate for King when he was young and short, and would we have justified his adultery and murder as the discretion of a King? I certainly hope not.
Please turn with me to 1 Timothy 1:13. In this verse of scripture the Apostle Paul was describing his previous life-style and his conversion. Paul was actually dragging Christians from their homes and destroying the Church (Acts 8:3). Let’s not forget that although the Apostle did this in sheer ignorance he had to face God’s judgment through unimaginable suffering (Acts 9:16, 2 Corinthians 11:25). The point that I’m trying to make here saints is that how could God Almighty choose an apparent blasphemer and violent man to be his chosen instrument (Acts 13:47)? We could sympathize with the ruddy complexioned young man that David was (1 Samuel 16:12), but who could sympathize/empathize with a thug and gangster, i.e., Saul (later Paul) ? Ironically David turned out to be an adulterer and murderer in his later years, while Paul single-handedly evangelized Western Europe and parts of Asia. Had we pre-judged David and Saul (later Paul) strictly by their actions and deeds (Matthew 7:16) would we have been guilty of incorrect judgment both times? Would we be tempted to say, in hind-sight, that the formerly violent Paul was a much better man than a well behaving, innocent and charming little boy turned murderer called David? Do we indeed judge people when the Lord Jesus, in all His infinite Wisdom, Who had seen billions of people like Paul and David evolve into totally different personalities than how they began, admonished us not to pre-judge?
These issues had been on my heart for a while now. As America enters a very crucial Presidential election year and the Church is pitted against a wide array of liberal, conservative, evangelical, socialistic, and some apparently fascist forces who should Christians vote for? As you know saints I’m not American, but as an investor in America and someone who deeply loves the American people I felt it was my responsibility to bring this up. I’m not going to name anyone but you’ll probably surmise what I’m saying quite easily. There are those who are frightened by the rise of those they think are fascists and demagogues. On the other end of the spectrum we have those who are believed to have lied perpetually, falsified and withheld information (re-routed it via private servers bypassing security protocols), failed to evacuate and rescue their staff in terror prone regions of the world and whose only agenda seems to be re-distribution without creating any assets. In the middle there are those that preach progressive concepts and socialism that seem to bridge ideas from both extremes. As my American friends on this site grapple with these apparently contradictory choices thrown at them I believe that the Holy Spirit is advising them not to judge a book by its cover. A flamboyant, vitriolic, mercurial and apparently unstable personality (think Saul) may not be as demonic as you think, while a steady, savvy, well-heeled and experienced politician (think King David) may actually be a white-washed tomb with a darkened heart. Those that are apparently conservative, centrist and socialist may not even make the cut. How should the Church vote in such a divisive environment? I’ll let the Holy Spirit guide my American friends this November, but I pray that you’ll not judge a book by its cover saints.
I can tell you a story about an Indian Prime Minister who was apparently the apple of the eye for all Indians who ended up imposing emergency rule in India, suspended all civil liberties, incarcerated all opposition leaders, almost annulled the constitution and who was promptly voted out of power in the next general elections. Tragically she was assassinated a few years later. The gentleman who was part of that underground movement to restore freedom and democracy and was later accused of genocide is now the Prime Minister of India. Do you think that God Almighty went wrong in allowing this? I'll let you be the judge.
Normally I stay away from politics saints. But I believe that we Christians have a responsibility to be involved in the affairs and matters of this world as well. Incidentally I supported the current Prime Minister of India and contributed to his campaign funds. Was I wrong? Please do share your thoughts. I hope that the moderators don’t find this post offensive as I tried my best not to invoke any names and only outlined a narrative. Thanks for taking the time to read this post saints, and no matter who my American friends on this site choose this November my prayers are always with them. God bless all of us. Amen.
. As Christians we are called by the Lord Jesus Christ to not judge (Luke 6:37). However, this seems to be what we do most often, i.e., we are quick to jump to conclusions. We judge people around us based on their appearance, wealth, societal standing, by what they do and say. Although a person’s character is most often defined by what they do and say (Matthew 7:16, Luke 6:45), it’s not always and entirely possible to judge someone this way as only God knows the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Ironically, 1 Samuel 16:7 relates to the anointing of King David, a man after God’s own Heart (1 Samuel 13:14) who actually ended up becoming a murderer and adulterer (2 Samuel 11, 12). This doesn’t mean that God’s Purpose and Will failed, rather that His Justice was swiftly executed even on His most beloved saint (2 Samuel 12:11-12). What’s heartening from this story is that even the vilest sinner can be forgiven. To his credit King David proved himself to be the chosen one by repenting right away (2 Samuel 12:13), a penitence that was produced in him by the Holy Spirit. That brings me to this question: would we have discarded David as an unlikely candidate for King when he was young and short, and would we have justified his adultery and murder as the discretion of a King? I certainly hope not.Please turn with me to 1 Timothy 1:13. In this verse of scripture the Apostle Paul was describing his previous life-style and his conversion. Paul was actually dragging Christians from their homes and destroying the Church (Acts 8:3). Let’s not forget that although the Apostle did this in sheer ignorance he had to face God’s judgment through unimaginable suffering (Acts 9:16, 2 Corinthians 11:25). The point that I’m trying to make here saints is that how could God Almighty choose an apparent blasphemer and violent man to be his chosen instrument (Acts 13:47)? We could sympathize with the ruddy complexioned young man that David was (1 Samuel 16:12), but who could sympathize/empathize with a thug and gangster, i.e., Saul (later Paul) ? Ironically David turned out to be an adulterer and murderer in his later years, while Paul single-handedly evangelized Western Europe and parts of Asia. Had we pre-judged David and Saul (later Paul) strictly by their actions and deeds (Matthew 7:16) would we have been guilty of incorrect judgment both times? Would we be tempted to say, in hind-sight, that the formerly violent Paul was a much better man than a well behaving, innocent and charming little boy turned murderer called David? Do we indeed judge people when the Lord Jesus, in all His infinite Wisdom, Who had seen billions of people like Paul and David evolve into totally different personalities than how they began, admonished us not to pre-judge?
These issues had been on my heart for a while now. As America enters a very crucial Presidential election year and the Church is pitted against a wide array of liberal, conservative, evangelical, socialistic, and some apparently fascist forces who should Christians vote for? As you know saints I’m not American, but as an investor in America and someone who deeply loves the American people I felt it was my responsibility to bring this up. I’m not going to name anyone but you’ll probably surmise what I’m saying quite easily. There are those who are frightened by the rise of those they think are fascists and demagogues. On the other end of the spectrum we have those who are believed to have lied perpetually, falsified and withheld information (re-routed it via private servers bypassing security protocols), failed to evacuate and rescue their staff in terror prone regions of the world and whose only agenda seems to be re-distribution without creating any assets. In the middle there are those that preach progressive concepts and socialism that seem to bridge ideas from both extremes. As my American friends on this site grapple with these apparently contradictory choices thrown at them I believe that the Holy Spirit is advising them not to judge a book by its cover. A flamboyant, vitriolic, mercurial and apparently unstable personality (think Saul) may not be as demonic as you think, while a steady, savvy, well-heeled and experienced politician (think King David) may actually be a white-washed tomb with a darkened heart. Those that are apparently conservative, centrist and socialist may not even make the cut. How should the Church vote in such a divisive environment? I’ll let the Holy Spirit guide my American friends this November, but I pray that you’ll not judge a book by its cover saints.
I can tell you a story about an Indian Prime Minister who was apparently the apple of the eye for all Indians who ended up imposing emergency rule in India, suspended all civil liberties, incarcerated all opposition leaders, almost annulled the constitution and who was promptly voted out of power in the next general elections. Tragically she was assassinated a few years later. The gentleman who was part of that underground movement to restore freedom and democracy and was later accused of genocide is now the Prime Minister of India. Do you think that God Almighty went wrong in allowing this? I'll let you be the judge.
Normally I stay away from politics saints. But I believe that we Christians have a responsibility to be involved in the affairs and matters of this world as well. Incidentally I supported the current Prime Minister of India and contributed to his campaign funds. Was I wrong? Please do share your thoughts. I hope that the moderators don’t find this post offensive as I tried my best not to invoke any names and only outlined a narrative. Thanks for taking the time to read this post saints, and no matter who my American friends on this site choose this November my prayers are always with them. God bless all of us. Amen.
