A Question of Politics: Salvation up for Grabs?

Theology
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heavenleft/righthell

Can Your Political Association Help Get You into Heaven or Can it Perhaps Send You Straight to Hell?

As an Independant, I would like to hear everyones point of view on this. What do you think? Does any politcal party have any merits worthy of consideration towards ones salvation?

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Before I even finished reading this, this popped into my head.

"They said, ‘Caesar’s.’ Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Matthew 22:21

The answer is no. Of course not. Jesus saves. We are told this.

“Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” Romans 13:7

Now, can you truthfully be a child of God and associate with a party that glorifies and tries to protect sin, kill babies, and rejects Jesus and the God of the Bible? No.

Can you associate with a party that best represents a Christian view, even if you do not agree with everything? Of course. But Salvation belongs solely to God through Jesus.
Peter

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If one is in an environment where truth is not held high, it is more difficult to see in Jesus that which is worthwhile. Here is a short article about lying;

Why Liberals Lie

It is not an uncommon argument for a wife to complain to her husband, “You never talk to me”. To which the husband might respond, “What do you think we are doing now”. To analyze this exchange we might see the same language used for two different purposes. For the wife, language is used to express how she feels. For the husband language is used factually. Sadly, the husband often fails to recognize that it is up to him to translate his wife’s distress and take steps to verbally connect with her.

In the example above, both parties were speaking truth but in different ways. Using the example of when a liberal accuses Trump of being Hitler, we find a greater distortion of language than just expressing emotional distress. The basic problem is a different view of truth. One can see truth as an absolute and unchangeable description of reality. However, liberals often see truth as relativistic and more fluid. A flexible truth in support of what one wants or how one feels can be much more useful.

Another component to factor in understanding the trouble liberals have with truth can be found with the word “hypocrisy”. Derived from the Greek meaning to “speak from under a mask”, we tend to think of the word as intentional deception such as the actors art. However, the warning Jesus gave his disciples about this touches a more profound aspect, that of self-deception. This may be more similar to an actor who “gets lost in his part”. In the Seinfeld TV show George Costanza attempting to condense his expertise in lying tells Jerry, “It’s not a lie if you believe it”.

We are all born helpless, ignorant, and selfish. We rely on our parents to help us learn to see truth, develop self-discipline, and navigate a potentially hostile world. Liberals are like children who never learned to see truth or have regressed to a childish state. One can see the appeal of the irrational to a child. For example, the prospect of unlimited ice cream might induce a child to agree with anything. Similarly, the appeal of communism (when presented as “everyone can have everything all the time”) has a strong appeal.

Perhaps Jesus warned his disciples against self-deception because it is a prison that one seldom escapes. Without the ability or desire to see truth no amount of failure can put a dent into utopian dreams. Liberals lie because it helps them get what they want and makes them feel good. In the artificial world their childish imagination has created this is as real and true as unicorns, free beer, forgiven student debt, endless government borrowing, and unrestrained sensual indulgences. Those who would threaten this world are enemies that need to be destroyed.

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Are we National Citizens first, and subjects of The King of Heaven second, or are we Citizens of The Kingdom of Heaven and ambassadors to The United States (or where ever you reside)?

“Foreign ambassadors and diplomats are strictly prohibited from voting in U.S. elections and are restricted from engaging in direct political participation. Federal law bans foreign nationals, including diplomats, from contributing to or influencing federal, state, and local campaigns, with penalties for violations”

"Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.2 Corinthians 5:20-21 (NKJV)

"These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.
Colossians 4:11 (NKJV)

KP

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No. Neither.

Jesus said: I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 14:6

Political affiliations don’t help.

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No actions of mine, including being part of a political party, contribute to my being saved, @d-o.o-b. It’s all by God’s grace:

Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
Eph 2:9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Verse 10 tells me that I need to follow God’s will in living in my country. I’m a citizen of heaven and of my country. And as a believer, I feel an obligation to sort out the values of the political parties to try to vote for candidates whose positions are closest to biblical values with prayer for God’s leading.

Lately in the USA, it’s been easier since there is a vast divide between the parties, though.

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Thank you all @here for your thoughtful answers. So I will now give you the backstory on WHY I posted this topic.

Two days ago, I was speaking with a guy I know who stated in the course of our conversation “Democrats are all going to hell and taking half the country with it.” Neeless to say, he is a Republican and has that seemingly required prerequisite of Democratic dislike.

So I got to thinking I should ask to see what others had to say on the matter. This is what stood out in your replies…

This, I fully agree with. (I’m indepndant for a reason)

And this as well.

Everything in Jesus is worthwhile Tim, so I’m not sure what you mean Brother. Can you explain what you mean a little better for me?

Easy question, the answer being… ‘Nothing in the world is more important than Christ.’ So I guess that makes us Ambassadors to our respective countries.

Partly what I told him. (will end this with the rest.)

Mine neither Brother.

You said it. :grimacing:

So anyways, I quoted him the following Bible verse…

Ephesians 2:1-3 (niv)

“made Alive in Christ - As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.”

I specifically pointing out to him about ‘following the ways of this world’ and pointed out blind obedience to a politcal party is not obedience to God. He didn’t agree. He thinks God is Blessing the Republicans.

Anyway, thank you all for your insights.

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There are people who see no value in Christ. This is not a problem with Christ. It is a problem with those who have no interest in truth.

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I was team Edward til the 4th book and then finished team Jacob :zany_face:

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Love this question. I got news for you. You are not a citizen of this country, or even this planet, anymore. Not even dual citizenship. You are now a stranger in a strange land. Remember what Jesus told us?

“If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” John 15:19

In his Prayer, Jesus said this,

> “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.” John 17-14:18

Notice, He said twice, “they are not of the world.” However, He did not say you will be taken out of the world, but that He was sending you into the world. This is where that popular phrase “In the World, not of it” comes from. We are no longer OF the world, and this is why the world hates us so.

Once you accept Jesus, once you receive The Spirit of Adoption, once you become able to call the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the Creator of all that is, was, or ever will be, Daddy, you are no longer a Citizen of Earth.

> “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” Romans 8-14:17

Paul wrote to the Church in Ephesus

“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;” Ephesians 2:19

You are a citizen of Heaven. The Lord of lords, and the King of kings, is your Father. You are a Prince or Princess of HEAVEN. It doesn’t matter who you are, or rather who you were,

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28

We are all the same. We have all been washed clean with the Blood of Christ. The Blood of Jesus. We have all been adopted into the family of God. We are all now citizens of Heaven. This is why we are not to be conformed to this World.

“I appeal to you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2

We are not to do the things they do, but we are to be the new creatures God made us to be. His children. Let the world be the world. Its fate is sealed. Let the dead bury the dead. Their fate is sealed. Let them love money; their fate is sealed. Be the child of God HE called you to be. Be a Prince or Princess of Heaven. Be an Ambassador. Be a Sower of the Seed. Tell the Truth.

If someone asks you to show them your papers? Show them your works, as James told someone who asked for proof.

> “But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” James 2:18

Jesus said,

> “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matthew 7:20

If someone claims that they are fellow citizens, and yet, you see they are producing fruit, that is,

“Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like:” Galatians 5:19-21

You know they are lying. They are of the world and NOT of God. Have nothing to do with people like this. Do not pray for, conform to, or become as the world. You are above all that. God is your Father. You have citizenship in Heaven. Your treasure is in Heaven. Your reward is in Heaven. You are on your way HOME. Be the child of God you are. Produce good fruit. Do your Father’s Will. Keep Jesus’ sayings. Rest in the fact that you are now a stranger in a strange land. Your Home is not here. It is waiting for you to come.
Peter

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@PeterC

Yes, thank you. A very thorough and exhaustive explanation. I certainly agree with you (mostly), but my agreement is inconsequential and of little importance. I appreciate you answered my question, but it was actually rhetorical. The rhetorical question was posed to punctuate our ultimate responsibility to our homeland. Since our citizenship was transferred to The Kingdom of Heaven, our becoming involved in politics, like becoming involved in any other occupation is now pursued based on new divine motivations. Our varied occupations on this fallen planet now reflect the deportment of a foreign dignitary living in an assigned country. Becoming engaged in politics is fine as long as you don’t start believing God is the king of your worldly nation. God is the King of His own kingdom ONLY, all other nations must bow to Him.

KP

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Careful with questions like those around here Brother. They can start heated debates. lol

Very true this which you have said. Especially and double so for the last line.

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