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Much love!
Should Christians Be Slandering Politicians?
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Yes and no, really, to me it's one and the same.
If we obey sinful orders we enable the one so ordering, and that's not good for them. And of course it's not good for anyone affected by said orders. So in the best interest of all, out of love for them, we should not obey sinful orders, so that we are giving a testimony of righteousness and truth, that hopefully they will see, and reconsider, and repent.
Though historically generally this just gets people killed.
But the Lord is pleased when we honor Him even above our own lives.
Much love!
Ritajanice
Born-Again
Such a pleasure,reading your posts, @Hidden In Him ..God Bless,Brother,..a lovely addition to the forum.
Truth goes hand in hand with love. If someone hopes to turn another from darkness, their evil deeds being whitewashed is not conducive with love.
I have prayed that IF certain politicians are human and therefore, created in His image, He will do whatever is needed to bring them to salvation. I also pray that God will deliver His people out of the hands of the wicked.
Interesting how this is phrased in scripture, is Paul slandering the jews?
No, Paul is speaking truth here. He is not saying anything good about the unbelieving jews, as there is nothing good that can be said.
But some would call this a reviling accusation, and slander, even rejoicing in their fate.
AMPC
Who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and harassed and drove us out, and continue to make themselves hateful and offensive to God and to show themselves foes of all men,
AMPC
Forbidding and hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles (the nations) that they may be saved. So as always they fill up [to the brim the measure of] their sins. But God’s wrath has come upon them at last [completely and forever]!
1 Thess 2
13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans,
15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are [d]contrary to all men,
16 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.
People who reject the Lord Jesus, are of the devil, there is nothing good to be said, seeing who they are, being antichrists.
Woe to you who do that!
No, Paul is speaking truth here. He is not saying anything good about the unbelieving jews, as there is nothing good that can be said.
But some would call this a reviling accusation, and slander, even rejoicing in their fate.
AMPC
Who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and harassed and drove us out, and continue to make themselves hateful and offensive to God and to show themselves foes of all men,
AMPC
Forbidding and hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles (the nations) that they may be saved. So as always they fill up [to the brim the measure of] their sins. But God’s wrath has come upon them at last [completely and forever]!
1 Thess 2
13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans,
15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are [d]contrary to all men,
16 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.
People who reject the Lord Jesus, are of the devil, there is nothing good to be said, seeing who they are, being antichrists.
Woe to you who do that!
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HUMAN GOVERNMENT
INTRODUCTION
Definition ‒ Government is humanity organizing itself to provide and secure sensed needs (i.e., Genesis 4 and 11). Humans are social beings even before the Fall (cf. Gen. 2:18). Families, tribes, nations give us community (see SPECIAL TOPIC: BIBLICAL FAITH IS CORPORATE).
Purpose ‒ God has willed that order is preferable to anarchy.
The Mosaic legislation, particularly the Decalog, is God's will for mankind in society. It balances worship and life (see SPECIAL TOPIC: THE TEN COMMANDMENTS).
No form or structure of government is advocated in Scripture, although ancient Israel's theocracy is the anticipated form of heaven. Neither democracy nor capitalism is a biblical truth. Christians are to act appropriately in whatever governmental system they find themselves. The purpose of the Christian is evangelism and ministry, not revolution. All governments are transitory!
Origin of human government
Roman Catholicism has asserted that human government is an innate need, even before the Fall. Aristotle seems to have first asserted this premise. He says, "man is a political animal" and by this he meant that government "exists for the promotion of the good life."
Protestantism, especially Martin Luther, has asserted that human government is inherent in the Fall. He calls it "the Kingdom of God's left hand." He said that "God's way to control bad men is to put bad men in control."
Karl Marx has asserted that government is the means by which a few elite keep the masses under control. For him, government and religion play a similar role.
BIBLICAL MATERIAL
Old Testament
Israel is the pattern which will be utilized in heaven. In ancient Israel YHWH was King. Theocracy is the term used to describe God's direct rule (cf. 1 Sam. 8:4-9).
God's sovereignty in human government can be clearly seen in His appointing
all kings, Dan. 2:21; 4:17,24-25
the Messianic reign, Dan. 2:44-45
Nebuchadnezzar (neo-Babylon), Jer. 27:6; Dan. 5:28
Cyrus II (Persia), 2 Chr. 36:22; Ezra 1:1; Isa. 44:28; 45:1
God's people are to be submissive and respectful even to invading and occupying governments:
Daniel 1-4, Nebuchadnezzar (neo-Babylon)
Daniel 5, Belshazzar (neo-Babylon)
Daniel 6, Darius (Persia)
Ezra and Nehemiah (Persia)
Restored Judah was to pray for Cyrus and his descendants' reign
Ezra 6:10; 7:23
Jews were to pray for civil authority, Mishnah, Avot. 3:2
New Testament
Jesus showed respect to human governments
Matthew 17:24-27, He paid the temple tax (religious and civil authorities were meant to be one, cf. 1 Pet. 2:17)
Matthew 22:15-22; Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:20-26, He advocated a place for the Roman tax and thereby Roman civil authority
John 19:11, God allows civil authority to function
Paul's words related to human governments
Romans 13:1-5, believers must submit to civil authorities for they are established by God
Romans 13:6-7, believers must pay taxes and honor civil authorities
1 Timothy 2:1-3, believers must pray for civil authorities
Titus 3:1, believers must be subject to civil authorities
Peter's words related to human governments
Acts 4:1-31; 5:29, Peter and John before the Sanhedrin (this shows biblical precedent for civil disobedience; see SPECIAL TOPIC: SANHEDRIN)
I Peter 2:13-17, believers must submit to civil authorities for the good of society and for evangelism
John's words related to human governments
Revelation 17, the whore of Babylon stands for human government organized and functioning apart from God
Revelation 18, the whore of Babylon is destroyed
CONCLUSION
Human government (in a fallen world; see SPECIAL TOPIC: THE FALL OF MANKIND) is ordained by God. This is not "the divine right of Kings," but the divine task of government (i.e., order not chaos). No one form of government is advocated above another.
It is a religious duty for believers to obey and pray for civil authority.
It is proper for believers to support human government by taxes with a proper reverent attitude.
Human government is for the purpose of civil order. They are God's servants for this task.
Human government is not ultimate. It is limited in its authority. Believers must act for their conscience's sake in rejecting civil authority when it oversteps its divinely appointed bounds. As Augustine has asserted in The City of God, we are citizens of two realms, one temporal and one eternal (cf. Phil. 3:20). We have responsibility in both, but God's kingdom is ultimate! There is both an individual and corporate focus in our responsibility to God.
We should encourage believers in a democratic system to actively participate in the process of government and to implement, when possible, the teachings of Scripture.
Social change must be preceded by individual conversion. There is no real lasting eschatological hope in government. All human governments, though willed and used by God, are sinful expressions of human organization apart from God. This concept is expressed in the Johannine usage of the term "the world" (i.e., 1 John 2:15-17).
J.
INTRODUCTION
Definition ‒ Government is humanity organizing itself to provide and secure sensed needs (i.e., Genesis 4 and 11). Humans are social beings even before the Fall (cf. Gen. 2:18). Families, tribes, nations give us community (see SPECIAL TOPIC: BIBLICAL FAITH IS CORPORATE).
Purpose ‒ God has willed that order is preferable to anarchy.
The Mosaic legislation, particularly the Decalog, is God's will for mankind in society. It balances worship and life (see SPECIAL TOPIC: THE TEN COMMANDMENTS).
No form or structure of government is advocated in Scripture, although ancient Israel's theocracy is the anticipated form of heaven. Neither democracy nor capitalism is a biblical truth. Christians are to act appropriately in whatever governmental system they find themselves. The purpose of the Christian is evangelism and ministry, not revolution. All governments are transitory!
Origin of human government
Roman Catholicism has asserted that human government is an innate need, even before the Fall. Aristotle seems to have first asserted this premise. He says, "man is a political animal" and by this he meant that government "exists for the promotion of the good life."
Protestantism, especially Martin Luther, has asserted that human government is inherent in the Fall. He calls it "the Kingdom of God's left hand." He said that "God's way to control bad men is to put bad men in control."
Karl Marx has asserted that government is the means by which a few elite keep the masses under control. For him, government and religion play a similar role.
BIBLICAL MATERIAL
Old Testament
Israel is the pattern which will be utilized in heaven. In ancient Israel YHWH was King. Theocracy is the term used to describe God's direct rule (cf. 1 Sam. 8:4-9).
God's sovereignty in human government can be clearly seen in His appointing
all kings, Dan. 2:21; 4:17,24-25
the Messianic reign, Dan. 2:44-45
Nebuchadnezzar (neo-Babylon), Jer. 27:6; Dan. 5:28
Cyrus II (Persia), 2 Chr. 36:22; Ezra 1:1; Isa. 44:28; 45:1
God's people are to be submissive and respectful even to invading and occupying governments:
Daniel 1-4, Nebuchadnezzar (neo-Babylon)
Daniel 5, Belshazzar (neo-Babylon)
Daniel 6, Darius (Persia)
Ezra and Nehemiah (Persia)
Restored Judah was to pray for Cyrus and his descendants' reign
Ezra 6:10; 7:23
Jews were to pray for civil authority, Mishnah, Avot. 3:2
New Testament
Jesus showed respect to human governments
Matthew 17:24-27, He paid the temple tax (religious and civil authorities were meant to be one, cf. 1 Pet. 2:17)
Matthew 22:15-22; Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:20-26, He advocated a place for the Roman tax and thereby Roman civil authority
John 19:11, God allows civil authority to function
Paul's words related to human governments
Romans 13:1-5, believers must submit to civil authorities for they are established by God
Romans 13:6-7, believers must pay taxes and honor civil authorities
1 Timothy 2:1-3, believers must pray for civil authorities
Titus 3:1, believers must be subject to civil authorities
Peter's words related to human governments
Acts 4:1-31; 5:29, Peter and John before the Sanhedrin (this shows biblical precedent for civil disobedience; see SPECIAL TOPIC: SANHEDRIN)
I Peter 2:13-17, believers must submit to civil authorities for the good of society and for evangelism
John's words related to human governments
Revelation 17, the whore of Babylon stands for human government organized and functioning apart from God
Revelation 18, the whore of Babylon is destroyed
CONCLUSION
Human government (in a fallen world; see SPECIAL TOPIC: THE FALL OF MANKIND) is ordained by God. This is not "the divine right of Kings," but the divine task of government (i.e., order not chaos). No one form of government is advocated above another.
It is a religious duty for believers to obey and pray for civil authority.
It is proper for believers to support human government by taxes with a proper reverent attitude.
Human government is for the purpose of civil order. They are God's servants for this task.
Human government is not ultimate. It is limited in its authority. Believers must act for their conscience's sake in rejecting civil authority when it oversteps its divinely appointed bounds. As Augustine has asserted in The City of God, we are citizens of two realms, one temporal and one eternal (cf. Phil. 3:20). We have responsibility in both, but God's kingdom is ultimate! There is both an individual and corporate focus in our responsibility to God.
We should encourage believers in a democratic system to actively participate in the process of government and to implement, when possible, the teachings of Scripture.
Social change must be preceded by individual conversion. There is no real lasting eschatological hope in government. All human governments, though willed and used by God, are sinful expressions of human organization apart from God. This concept is expressed in the Johannine usage of the term "the world" (i.e., 1 John 2:15-17).
SPECIAL TOPIC: HUMAN GOVERNMENT
Human Government -- Special Topic by Dr. Bob Utley, professor of hermeneutics (retired).
www.freebiblecommentary.org
J.
Slanderous?, words from Christ against them
Character assassination, reviling accusations?
More than just the Lord rebuke you. Christ goes into detail.
13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. 14 [g]Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.
15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of [h]hell as yourselves.
16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.’ 17 Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that [i]sanctifies the gold? 18 And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform it.’ 19 Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? 20 Therefore he who [j]swears by the altar, swears by it and by all things on it. 21 He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by Him who [k]dwells in it. 22 And he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits on it.
23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. 24 Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!
25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and [l]self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.
27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
29 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and [m]adorn the monuments of the righteous, 30 and say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.’
31 “Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers’ guilt. 33 Serpents, brood[n] of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? 34 Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, 35 that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36 Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.
Character assassination, reviling accusations?
More than just the Lord rebuke you. Christ goes into detail.
Woe to the Scribes and Pharisees
23 Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 Therefore whatever they tell you [a]to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. 4 For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. 6 They love the [b]best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ 8 But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your [c]Teacher, [d]the Christ, and you are all brethren. 9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. 11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whoever exalts himself will be [e]humbled, and he who humbles himself will be [f]exalted.13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. 14 [g]Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.
15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of [h]hell as yourselves.
16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.’ 17 Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that [i]sanctifies the gold? 18 And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform it.’ 19 Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? 20 Therefore he who [j]swears by the altar, swears by it and by all things on it. 21 He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by Him who [k]dwells in it. 22 And he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits on it.
23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. 24 Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!
25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and [l]self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.
27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
29 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and [m]adorn the monuments of the righteous, 30 and say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.’
31 “Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers’ guilt. 33 Serpents, brood[n] of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? 34 Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, 35 that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36 Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.
I understand concerns people have about media which involves news agendas, motives and intentions. I will explain the non-judgmental position I like:
I will not attempt to assess what a media representative is intentionally doing in an article based on suspicions of material presented. I don't conduct investigations on a persons motives as that involves often private thoughts and feelings of an individual creation of God. God I believe knows our thoughts and feelings including our life experiences and what leads up to an event in a persons life which could relate to areas that the Father, Son and Holy Ghost know about a person and their true intentions and motives. And that is a matter of Judgment from God. I simply stated in sentence(s) that was left out of your quote, that we are to judge sins, or evil direction conducted, but not the individual. And I believe making accusations as far as intent of a news article and motives is left up to God and the accuser Satan. "Accuser" is also listed in the new testament if you are not aware of that specific passage.
As far as Christian on this forum turning darkness into light, which is somewhat vague direction, I will attempt to address that issue:
It is my understanding that we as Christians can hopefully share the Gospel of The Father, Son and Holy Ghost in a pleasing manner before our God. There are certainly many happy and sad messages in the bible regarding salvation and damnation. I wonder if it often is tossed around like word salad carelessly. I certainly hope not in the accuser area, as that is best directed at actions and not people. We are to judge righteous judgment and forgive others that our Father in Heaven might forgive us also, one of the happy messages from Jesus was his power to forgive also. God is slow to anger and can take a challenge against salvation and bring goodness to mankind. And that is what we hope for. God is able to perform those miracles on earth. I often pray for direction from God that he carry thru my struggles and provide good works for me to be part of. And I do enjoy doing his will when that happens. I think God can certainly provide light of God instead of darkness from Satan and his dark ravens. I'm not sure it is possible to take something like darkness and turn it into light. But perhaps that is a matter for God to address himself in prayer with his children.
I certainly hope our messages on this board are not condemning any human creation of God as I believe he desires all man to be saved. And our conduct should reflect that somehow eventually in our messages. I apologize if I have not conducted myself in that manner which I believe is pleasing to God. I am a work in progress and enjoy salvation provided by God.
Thank You for you Time.
Cheers!
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Since we have the bible telling us inspired words from the Holy Spirit then a rebuke based on biblical truth is justifiable.
Ronald Nolette
Well-Known Member
Well if by slander you mean:Greetings all, and blessings to all.
I'm a member on staff at another Christian forum, and this topic has come up for conversation recently. I vacillated for awhile on both sides, but after actually studying the scriptures I came to the conclusion that the real New Testament answer was no. I will put it up for debate here and see what everyone has to say. As for myself, the result was a Bible study I posted there and am now posting here at CB in a slightly different format. I pray our discussion is fruitful and honest in search of the truth together.
Blessings in Christ to all who wish to respond.
Hidden In Him
Overcoming "Evil" With Good: The Christian Response To Politics
Overcoming "Evil" With Good: The Christian Response To Politics Wrote this study out at another forum recently, and thought I would post it here. Responses are welcome, Hidden In Him Another Presidential election is almost here in the United States, and the ugliness and vitriol are at...www.christianityboard.com
slan·der
[ˈslandər]
noun
law
- the action or crime of making a false spoken statement damaging to a person's reputation. Compare with libel.
- then we should not be slandering anyone at all! Not just politicians we may strongly disagree with.
- Aug 10, 2012
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Remember we battle not against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities. So evil men and women gain power and abuse their authority, often in detriment to the righteous. But those people are not solely responsible, the evil spirits backing them are responsible.
Granted there are those who seek power by aligning themselves with these dark forces. They should be prayed against, for the purpose of confounding their schemes. But most of, or even all may be unwitting pawns in a larger battle. These should be prayed for, that they would repent.
That's my opinion.
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 1 PETER 2:13-17
13Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. 15For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. 16Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. 17Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.
2:13 "Submit" This is an AORIST PASSIVE IMPERATIVE, but NASB and NKJV translate it as a MIDDLE (cf. 1 Pet. 2:18). "Yourselves" is not in the Greek text. It implies that they are to make a decisive choice to submit (cf. 1 Pet. 2:18; 3:1). This is a military term used for the chain of command. It literally means "to arrange oneself under authority." This is a common theme of Peter (cf. 1 Pet. 2:13,18; 3:1,5,22; 5:5). Submission does not imply inequality, for Jesus is described by this term. It is an attitude of service under authority. In Eph. 5:21 it is one of the five characteristics of the Spirit-filled life (mutual submission to one another in Christ).
SPECIAL TOPIC: SUBMISSION (hupotassō)
"for the Lord's sake" This is the motive for all of our actions (cf. 1 Pet. 4:11; 1 Cor. 10:31; Col. 3:17; Eph. 6:5).
"to every human institution" From what follows, this is an admonition to submit to governmental or civil authority, much like Rom. 13:1-7 and Titus 3:1. This is all the more significant in light of the governmental persecution these believers faced. It is uncertain whether the persecution was Jewish, pagan, local government, or Empire wide. Our strongest witness to the power of the gospel is in times of persecution. Our attitude, words, and actions when unfairly treated cause unbelievers to take notice.
For "institution" see SPECIAL TOPIC: KTISIS.
SPECIAL TOPIC: HUMAN GOVERNMENT
"as the one in authority" This term in Classical Greek meant "the human founder of a city"; however, in the NT it is always used of God's authority (cf. Matt. 22:21; Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Tim. 2:1-7; Titus 3:1-8), which is often given to human organizations. God prefers order over anarchy.
SPECIAL TOPIC: KTISIS
2:14 "or to governors as sent by him" This is a PRESENT PASSIVE PARTICIPLE. God is in control of all things. This text does not teach "the divine right of Kings," but affirms that God supports law and order (i.e., a stable society) over anarchy.
The PRONOUN "him" could refer to (1) God or (2) the governor.
"for the punishment of evildoers" Government has the God-given authority to maintain order and to restrain and punish disorder. Capital punishment is one form of this mandate (cf. Rom. 13:4; Acts 25:11).
2:15 "For such is the will of God" See SPECIAL TOPIC: THE WILL (thelēma) OF GOD
J.
Along the lines of the post I made in #69, which is my person direction on judgment issues, I would also like to make the following insertion:
Some of us in my family and friend circle have an agreement on certain issues, one of which is "politics" and most often results in arguments and sometimes alienation of others. So some of us have learned to stay out of those areas, although others do not. And that is what I enjoy in the family and friends area so that we can enjoy fun happy activities when meeting together without arguments.
I know there is sometimes alienating accusations presented on social media and news that appears to drive a larger divide in the general civil conduct between opposing parties. And that appears to be a legitimate current news concern.
I know this is a fun topic for some of us about current events, and I certainly have my selection for my beliefs of the conservative Christian people I enjoy.
I usually do not post on political opponent promotion. But usually create discussions in areas of society which are presented on social media and also news, etc that I feel have problems that can be changed if word gets out and people understand the issues. So I hope that together with some of the recent and past threads I have created that change can happen and people be forgiven if they should come to the belief that immoral and unethical conduct has been committed on their part. And perhaps as a conservative Christian I should reflect that in my threads. I sometimes think I do, not leaving anyone out of God's desired salvation plan for us.
And that is me perhaps currently.
Cheers! :)
Some of us in my family and friend circle have an agreement on certain issues, one of which is "politics" and most often results in arguments and sometimes alienation of others. So some of us have learned to stay out of those areas, although others do not. And that is what I enjoy in the family and friends area so that we can enjoy fun happy activities when meeting together without arguments.
I know there is sometimes alienating accusations presented on social media and news that appears to drive a larger divide in the general civil conduct between opposing parties. And that appears to be a legitimate current news concern.
I know this is a fun topic for some of us about current events, and I certainly have my selection for my beliefs of the conservative Christian people I enjoy.
I usually do not post on political opponent promotion. But usually create discussions in areas of society which are presented on social media and also news, etc that I feel have problems that can be changed if word gets out and people understand the issues. So I hope that together with some of the recent and past threads I have created that change can happen and people be forgiven if they should come to the belief that immoral and unethical conduct has been committed on their part. And perhaps as a conservative Christian I should reflect that in my threads. I sometimes think I do, not leaving anyone out of God's desired salvation plan for us.
And that is me perhaps currently.
Cheers! :)
Eternally Grateful
Well-Known Member
How would you Honor Joe Biden, or Kamila Harris or Joe Walz?
How can we keep them from hurting us anymore?
NotTheRock
Well-Known Member
NotTheRock
Well-Known Member
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Yes. So much of evil governance results in people lying for fear of serious repercussions. This happened in communist countries. It is happening today for those trying to stand up to tyranny. Anarchy has become a tool for the empowered, a tool for terror, to enforce compromising ideals.
Listening to Christian radio today, they were quoting what Zachariah prophesied of John at His birth.
When you read the prophecy, understand these words are only for the children of God. Everything spoken is what God promises to His people and all of what He said is for them alone.
****************************************************************
59 So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. 60 His mother answered and said, “No; he shall be called John.”
61 But they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” 62 So they made signs to his father—what he would have him called.
63 And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So they all marveled. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God. 65 Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. 66 And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, “What kind of child will this be?” And the hand of the Lord was with him.
Zacharias’ Prophecy
67 Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:68 “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel,
For He has visited and redeemed His people,
69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us
In the house of His servant David,
70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets,
Who have been since the world began,
71 That we should be saved from our enemies
And from the hand of all who hate us,
72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers
And to remember His holy covenant,
73 The oath which He swore to our father Abraham:
74 To grant us that we,
Being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
Might serve Him without fear,
75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.
76 “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest;
For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,
77 To give knowledge of salvation to His people
By the remission of their sins,
78 Through the tender mercy of our God,
With which the [j]Dayspring from on high [k]has visited us;
79 To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
To guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Wow, this is going fast!
We'd have to know what honor means.
God said to HONOR our parents...not to love them.
So, honor is defined as, “showing esteem for one deserving of respect, attention, or obedience.”
(), a term with social, moral, and theological implications derived from the Hebrew root for weight, meaning honor, respect, reverence, importance, distinction, or glory.
source: The internet, various
So, let's see:
I cannot show esteem for someone who lies about the other candidate,
I cannot respect someone who lies about their own accomplishments,
I cannot obey someone I cannot respect (unless I absolutely have to for whatever reason).
So,
I don't HATE anyone running for office.
I DO hate their policies which I feel are ruining our country.
I cannot ESTEEM, RESPECT, or OBEY some politicians.
If we felt this way about ALL of them... our esteem and respect would be worhless and of no effect.
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