| The Religious Perspective on Politics |
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THE RELIGIOUS PERSPECTIVE:
I know I wrote "stay involved" but must I notice all the current events? (smile)
April 2, 2009:
I will note that most current events are of a political nature. I will say something of a religious
nature regarding that aspect of current events. I can say it a different way for those who are
not easily persuaded by "religious rhetoric" also. But not today.
Most religious leaders encourage some kind of involvement in the political systems.
However, the wise ones will admonish their followers to be careful and not put a political
system above God. Those in political power can have a lots of perks to dish out and looking to
them as THE source instead of A source can be very tempting and very easy to do. Some in
the system encourage this perspective forgetting that those in favor one minute can just as
well "lose their heads" the next.
However, even though we all (and should) maintain a certain amount of interdependence in
our relationships with each other, God is a jealous God. And, you never know, but sometimes
that jealousy can exhibit itself in negative ways. One may be picking the "political system" up
from the ruins. (Exodus 3:19 Why?) God is a jealous God and his glory he will not give to
another. (Yes, some "pooh-pooh at that statement. But those who understand the nature of
power, understand full well what it means.)
The book of Daniel offers some important lessons about how to survive in changing political
environments. The entire book teaches us that a child of God, like Daniel and others, can
survive in any political environment.
What exactly does "survival" means, though.
I think that the incident in Chapter 3 exemplifies what real survival is:
..But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery
furnace. and who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king,
"O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our
God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us
from your hand, O king.
But if NOT, let it be known to you O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship
the god image which you have set up.
Daniel 3:15-16 NJK
God can delivers but if He does not, one still has a commitment to the truth. However, that
commitment should also be reflected in our daily living and how we treat others and show the
due respect to those who truly serve us all in a political capacity, also.
However, that is why some leaders fear religious fervor. Statements like that Daniel
3:16. But fear can abound on both sides...within the public and the political power structures.
God does not give us a spirit of fear, though. (I should note the scripture references but I
don't have time right now.)
However, folk had better prepare their minds and spirits for the events of "666" when there will
be a worldwide monetary system where no one will be able to conduct any transaction unless
they are in favor with the ruling political powers...where there are some indications that it will
be corrupt. (Somewhere in the book of Revelations) Decades ago those events seemed like a
far fetched idea but with all the computer changes and etc., it does not seem far fetched
anymore. The computer system would not be corrupt, just those who control them.
Enough current events for today.
Remember: GOD has NOT given us a spirit of fear....
Updated April 2009(?)
I know I wrote "stay involved" but must I notice all the current events? (smile)
April 2, 2009:
I will note that most current events are of a political nature. I will say something of a religious
nature regarding that aspect of current events. I can say it a different way for those who are
not easily persuaded by "religious rhetoric" also. But not today.
Most religious leaders encourage some kind of involvement in the political systems.
However, the wise ones will admonish their followers to be careful and not put a political
system above God. Those in political power can have a lots of perks to dish out and looking to
them as THE source instead of A source can be very tempting and very easy to do. Some in
the system encourage this perspective forgetting that those in favor one minute can just as
well "lose their heads" the next.
However, even though we all (and should) maintain a certain amount of interdependence in
our relationships with each other, God is a jealous God. And, you never know, but sometimes
that jealousy can exhibit itself in negative ways. One may be picking the "political system" up
from the ruins. (Exodus 3:19 Why?) God is a jealous God and his glory he will not give to
another. (Yes, some "pooh-pooh at that statement. But those who understand the nature of
power, understand full well what it means.)
The book of Daniel offers some important lessons about how to survive in changing political
environments. The entire book teaches us that a child of God, like Daniel and others, can
survive in any political environment.
What exactly does "survival" means, though.
I think that the incident in Chapter 3 exemplifies what real survival is:
..But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery
furnace. and who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king,
"O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our
God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us
from your hand, O king.
But if NOT, let it be known to you O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship
the god image which you have set up.
Daniel 3:15-16 NJK
God can delivers but if He does not, one still has a commitment to the truth. However, that
commitment should also be reflected in our daily living and how we treat others and show the
due respect to those who truly serve us all in a political capacity, also.
However, that is why some leaders fear religious fervor. Statements like that Daniel
3:16. But fear can abound on both sides...within the public and the political power structures.
God does not give us a spirit of fear, though. (I should note the scripture references but I
don't have time right now.)
However, folk had better prepare their minds and spirits for the events of "666" when there will
be a worldwide monetary system where no one will be able to conduct any transaction unless
they are in favor with the ruling political powers...where there are some indications that it will
be corrupt. (Somewhere in the book of Revelations) Decades ago those events seemed like a
far fetched idea but with all the computer changes and etc., it does not seem far fetched
anymore. The computer system would not be corrupt, just those who control them.
Enough current events for today.
Remember: GOD has NOT given us a spirit of fear....
Updated April 2009(?)