Victor Torres. Christ did not let the people take him by force to make him king, because it is not time yet for His reign.

Transcription

1 Additions to the study Christians and Politics Victor Torres This is a commentary on an article called 10 Reasons Christians should vote in the election by Krish Kandiah, published March 31, 2015 in christiantoday.com. In 37 days the UK will go to the polls in one of the most hotly contested elections in living memory. Yet many Christians are ambivalent about it. Some people think that politics and faith don't mix, but I would say that misunderstands God's nature. If your God is not interested in politics then you are not worshipping the God of the Bible. Take the Lord's Prayer for example. In it we pray that God's Kingdom would come - that is a politically loaded prayer. It is asking that the reign of God would come to fruition here on earth as it is currently in heaven. We pray not that souls would escape up to heaven, but for God's kingly reign to invade our world. Of course, politics is far more than voting in general elections. We seek God's reign for every second of our Christian lives, not just for one day every five years. So in one sense voting is the very least we can do. It is us, as believers, playing our part in the democratic process that we have been invited to participate in. This author boldly proclaims If your God is not interested in politics then you are not worshipping the God of the Bible. And then he goes on to give us the top 10 reasons why Christians should vote in the then upcoming elections in the UK. I have seen this article published on other websites and it is no secret that most Christians today are involved, if not very active, in the politics of their host country. We are told that true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth (Joh 4:23), so let us see if there is any truth to this author's assertions. The author says that praying for God's Kingdom to come is a politically loaded prayer and voting is the very least we can do in seeking God's reign here on earth. But all of these fly in the face of these statements from our Lord: Joh 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would fight so that I might not be delivered to the Jews. But now My kingdom is not from here. Christ did not let the people take him by force to make him king, because it is not time yet for His reign. Joh 6:14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. Joh 6:15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone. This is the very same chapter where we are told that many of His disciples left

2 Him when they were sure that He did not want to take over the Romans as their king. Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. Joh 6:64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. Joh 6:65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. Joh 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. That is the state of the world back then, and that is the state of the world now. People of this world prefer leaders who will solve all their problems now rather than wait for the physical coming and reign of Christ, just as they preferred Barabbas, who was leading an insurrection, over Christ who made it clear that His kingdom is not of this world: Mar 15:7 And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection. Mar 15:8 And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them. (release a prisoner) Mar 15:9 But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? Mar 15:10 For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy. Mar 15:11 But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them. Here are the 10 reasons that this author think why Christians should vote in elections: 1. Voting publicly recognizes that we submit to the authority of the political system in our nation as established by God. Romans 13:1-7 Rom 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

3 Rom 13:2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. Rom 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: Rom 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Rom 13:5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. Rom 13:6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Rom 13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Saying that "voting publicly recognizes that we submit to the authority of the political system" is making Rom 13:1 interpret itself, which we are taught against: 2Pe 1:20 (LITV) knowing this first, that every prophecy of Scripture did not come into being of its own interpretation; 2Pe 1:21 for prophecy was not at any time borne by the will of man, but being borne along by the Holy Spirit, holy men of God spoke. Rom 13:6-7 adds to the sum of God's words of how we should be subject unto the higher powers: Rom 13:6 For for this cause [subjecting yourself unto the higher powers, ver 1] pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Rom 13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. We must pay our taxes not only because we are afraid we are going to get audited, but because our Lord told us to do so. Mar 12:14 And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?

4 Mar 12:15 Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. Mar 12:16 And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's. Mar 12:17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him. Here are four witness to the truth that we are not to be involved with the politics of this world: (2Ti 2:4 NKJV) No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. (2Ti 2:5 NKJV) And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. (Luk 9:59 NKJV) Then He said to another, "Follow Me." But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." (Luk 9:60 NKJV) Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God." (Luk 9:61 NKJV) And another also said, "Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house." (Luk 9:62 NKJV) But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." (2Ti 2:23 NKJV) But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. (2Ti 2:24 NKJV) And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, (2Ti 2:25 NKJV) in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, (2Ti 2:26 NKJV) and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

5 (1Co 5:12 NKJV) For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? (1Co 5:13 NKJV) But those who are outside God judges. Therefore "PUT AWAY FROM YOURSELVES THE EVIL PERSON." 2. Voting recognizes the equality of all people and their right to speak and be heard. (Deuteronomy 10:17-19) Deu 10:17 For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward: Deu 10:18 He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. Deu 10:19 Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. It is good to recognize the equality of all people in the eyes of God. The same principle is repeated in the New Testament: Jas 2:1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. Jas 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: Jas 2:9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. Having no respect of persons is about not discriminating against a person for his social status (this could be applied to racial background or any man-made divisions). Trying to make these verses about voting in recognition of the equality of all people is twisting the Scriptures to your own destruction and thinking above what is written. 2Pe 3:16 (ESV) as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.

6 1Co 4:6 (LITV) And these things, brethren, I did transfer to myself and to Apollos because of you, that in us ye may learn not to think above that which hath been written, that ye may not be puffed up one for one against the other The very essence of democracy or a government "of the people, by the people and for the people" goes against how God will establish His kingdom in this world. This is who will put kings and priests on this earth when Jesus Christ comes back: Rev 5:10 And [Christ, the Lamb of God v8, not the people's vote] hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, Rev 1:6 And [Jesus Christ, v5] hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father [not for the people]; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. [yes, to him be glory and dominion for the eons of the eons, not to any of these elected officials or the people who voted them] The elect when they rule as kings and priests will rule with a rod of iron and will not rely on the people's opinion on what policies to enforce, whether to allow abortion or to allow same sex marriage for example. Rev 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: Rev 2:27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 3. It is one way that we can obey God's command to seek the good of those around us and our nation as a whole. (Jeremiah 29:5-6) Jer 29:5 Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; Jer 29:6 Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished.

7 Seeking the good of those around us is also a principle that is carried over to the New Testament. Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Gal 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. But we are also told these: Php 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 1Co 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. Elections foster strife and create divisions. In lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. The people running for office are the epitome of vanity and it is utterly obvious that they do not esteem the other candidates better than themselves. 2Ti 3:1 Know this also, that in the last days grievous times will be at hand. 2Ti 3:2 For men will be self-lovers, money-lovers, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 2Ti 3:3 without natural affection, unyielding, false accusers, without self-control, savage, despisers of good, 2Ti 3:4 traitors, reckless, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 2Ti 3:5 having a form of godliness, but denying the power of it; even turn away from these. Some church leaders, in order to avoid divisions, dictate to their members which candidates to vote for. But this is also against the teachings of Christ:

8 Mat 20:25 But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Mat 20:26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 4. It shows that we care deeply about who our leaders are as we are urged to offer prayer and intercession on their behalf. (1 Timothy 2:1,2) 1Ti 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 1Ti 2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. Again we must be careful not to think above what is written. We are exhorted to pray for those in authority for the reason given in verse 2: "that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty". I doubt it very much that these people who are trying to twist 1Ti 2:1,2 to mean as showing "that we care deeply about who our leaders are" actually do care deeply and pray for those leaders. I have heard these so-called Christians calling the leaders of this country all sorts of insulting names. This is just a blatant testament of their hypocrisy when using the Scriptures to further their unbiblical agenda. It is common practice to pick your favorite candidate and slander the rest. (Tit 3:1 NKJV) Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, (Tit 3:2 NKJV) to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. 5. It is a simple yet significant way we can do something about politics in our nation. 'All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing', Edmund Burke. (Psalms 34:14) Psa 34:14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. People who equate voting with doing good, as they quote a politician side by side with Scripture are really blinded to these verses: 2Ti 2:3 Therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 2Ti 2:4 No one who wars tangles with the affairs of this life, that he may please him

9 who chose him to be a soldier. A good soldier of Christ does not get caught up with the affairs of this life. The war that we fight is a spiritual warfare. 2Co 10:3 For though walking about in flesh, we do not war according to flesh. 2Co 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, 2Co 10:5 pulling down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought into the obedience of Christ; A good soldier of Christ knows that he is not of this world, just as his Lord is: Joh 15:18 If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. Joh 15:19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Joh 17:15 I do not pray for You to take them out of the world, but for You to keep them from the evil. Joh 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 6. It makes a difference the way a grain of salt makes a difference, and that is how we are to influence our society for good. (Matthew 5:13) Mat 5:13 You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt loses its savor, with what shall it be salted? It is no longer good for anything, but to be thrown out and to be trodden underfoot by men. At face value, number 6 seems profound, but when you try it with God's word, you will see that it is just another wisdom of men being disguised as a wisdom from God. 1Co 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God; for it is written, "He takes the wise in their own craftiness." 1Co 3:20 And again, "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain."

10 Let me show you how foolish this analogy is. Let's look at Mat 5:13 with the verses around it. Mat 5:11 Blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Mat 5:12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for your reward in Heaven is great. For so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Mat 5:13 You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt loses its savor, with what shall it be salted? It is no longer good for anything, but to be thrown out and to be trodden underfoot by men. Mat 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Being the salt of the earth is the same as being a light in this dark, evil world (v14). If you are the salt of the earth or light of the world, that means you DO NOT conform to this world. That's why men (of this world) shall revile you and persecute you (v11), because you do not go along with them. You do not vote on elections, you do not celebrate the traditions that they celebrate such as Christmas and birthdays. Remember John 15:19 which we pointed above? Joh 15:19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. When you do not conform to this world, that's when you are truly being a salt of the earth, and you will be hated by the world. On the other hand, if you were conforming to this world including participating in politics, then you would be loved by it, and you are like a salt that lost its savor! Rom 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of God. Exo 23:2 You shall not follow a multitude to do evil. Neither shall you speak in a cause [like voting in elections] in order to follow many in order to wrest judgment. 7. It is a privilege not to be taken for granted. Those of us who reap the benefits of living in a democracy should play a part in upholding democracy.

11 Although living in a democracy does afford a Christian to freely read his Bible and talk about the Scriptures, we must never forget that these benefits or gifts come from above and we are indebted to no one for these but to God. Jas 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness nor shadow of turning. 1Ch 29:12 Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. 1Ch 29:13 Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. 1Ch 29:14 But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. 8. Not voting is a form of voting, as it will influence the outcome. We need to take responsibility for our actions, as well as our lack of actions. (Luke 10:25-37) Luk 10:25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" Luk 10:26 He said to him, "What is written in the Law? How do you read it?" Luk 10:27 And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." Luk 10:28 And he said to him, "You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live." Luk 10:29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Luk 10:30 Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Luk 10:31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. Luk 10:32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.

12 Luk 10:33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. Luk 10:34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. Luk 10:35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.' Luk 10:36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" Luk 10:37 He said, "The one who showed him mercy." And Jesus said to him, "You go, and do likewise." It is true that we will answer to God for our inaction when the right thing to do is to act to help others. But there is a time to speak and a time to stay silent. As true disciples of Christ, we must be silent when it concern to politics. Joh 19:9 And he went again into the praetorium and said to Jesus, Where are you from? But Jesus gave him no answer. Joh 19:10 Then Pilate said to him, Do you not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to crucify you, and I have authority to release you? Joh 19:11 Jesus answered, You could have no authority against Me unless it were given to you from above. Therefore he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin. Like our Lord, we must realize that it is God who works all things after the counsel of His own will, all things including the outcome of every election in this world. Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: Pro 16:1 The preparations of the heart in man [whether to vote or not to vote...], and the answer of the tongue [... or whether who to vote for], is from the LORD. 9. Voting has biblical precedence for example Acts 14:23 describes that the early Christians elected elders by voting.

13 Act 14:23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. The ordination of elders in the early church was not done through election, but by the laying of hand of the presbytery or other elders. 1Ti 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. 10. Voting is part of our stewardship to use all the resources we have been given in ways that honor God; to waste a vote is to squander a gift. See number 7. Voting is NOT a way of honoring God. We must worship God in spirit and truth and the truth is our Lord's kingdom is not of this world. Joh 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight [or vote for leaders who they think is worthy of their vote], that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. We must set our affection on things above and not in the affairs of this world. All that is in the world is not of the Father. Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. There will come a time that the Lord will take over the kingdoms of this world with His saints, but until that time comes, our calling is to be ambassadors for Christ and our citizenship is in heaven. 2Co 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. Php 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, We must be careful not to believe those who try to twist the Scripture to teach for doctrines the commandments of men.

14 Mat 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. These people are adding to the words of God, and adding to the words of God is a grave sin with grave consequences. Rev 22:18 For I testify together to everyone who hears the Words of the prophecy of this Book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add on him the plagues that have been written in this Book. Pro 30:6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.