Post by Daniel on Aug 14, 2015 8:30:28 GMT -5
Is Your Hope in the US. or the I AM?
Howard Green
“We are going to take America back for Jesus!” “It’s time to rise up and claim our nation for the Lord.” “Vote em’ all out and put some Christians in Washington.” “We are a Christian nation!”
There is a cycle I witness approximately every four years. It is the cycle of many Christians in America getting on the bandwagon of the: Peace & safety through America mindset. There are different variations of this belief, but at the core is this notion: If we get the right people in office, abolish certain items, and fill this nation with Christian principles, we’ll turn America around and perhaps usher in the Kingdom! I’m here to tell you that this belief is skewed, harmful, and diametrically opposed to the Word of God. So as we approach the new election cycle, let me ask you a question: Is your hope in the US. or the I AM?
Psalm 20:7 Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the LORD our God.
Before we dive into this important topic, I do want to make a few points to let you know where I’m coming from: I love my country and it’s people. I served in the military and a second time as a civilian during OIF. We have a rich heritage, the greatest military, and many God honoring people in our land. For the most part, America has been a force for good in the world. Do I believe the Lord used America in the past? Absolutely…….because in previous decades, countless missionaries have left America to preach the gospel in the dark corners of the world. I know there have been several anti-Israel administrations in the past, but I believe we have been a safe haven for many Jewish people while they faced antisemitic madness in other places.
Genesis 12:3 “I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
So here’s the thing: Is it ok to have a sense of pride and love for your nation? The answer is yes. With certainty……we should vote with conscience, our convictions, and against evil legislation that’s pro-abortion and pro-homosexual marriage, etc… We should pray for our leaders, respect authority, and be solid citizens because that’s a good witness. I’m weary of the America haters even in our own legislature who label Christians as ignorant people who cling to guns & Bibles. This rhetoric comes from people who despise our land and the morality in lives of Christians in particular.
On the other hand: Do I see many Christians putting an unbiblical faith and hope into politics, people, and principles? The answer is yes. I believe this unbiblical hope in anything other than the Son of God alone is what many ‘American Christians’ are mired in at this moment. They are adherents either knowingly or unknowingly to the false movement and teachings of dominion theology.
What is dominion theology or it’s outflow…kingdom now theology? It’s a belief, movement, and a lifestyle held by an ever growing number of Christians globally, but especially here in America. In short: Dominion theology is postmillennial in nature given the fact that many believe that it is the churches and Christian’s job to set up the Kingdom of God here on the earth before the Second Coming of Jesus. That is a broad definition but the point is this: It is the belief of a growing number of Christians or people who identify with Christianity that…..if we make conditions right, we can make this world ready for Jesus to return. I’ve heard it put like this: ‘We are going to usher in the Kingdom!”
continue reading
concerningthetimes.com/is-your-hope-in-the-us-or-the-i-am/
Howard Green
“We are going to take America back for Jesus!” “It’s time to rise up and claim our nation for the Lord.” “Vote em’ all out and put some Christians in Washington.” “We are a Christian nation!”
There is a cycle I witness approximately every four years. It is the cycle of many Christians in America getting on the bandwagon of the: Peace & safety through America mindset. There are different variations of this belief, but at the core is this notion: If we get the right people in office, abolish certain items, and fill this nation with Christian principles, we’ll turn America around and perhaps usher in the Kingdom! I’m here to tell you that this belief is skewed, harmful, and diametrically opposed to the Word of God. So as we approach the new election cycle, let me ask you a question: Is your hope in the US. or the I AM?
Psalm 20:7 Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the LORD our God.
Before we dive into this important topic, I do want to make a few points to let you know where I’m coming from: I love my country and it’s people. I served in the military and a second time as a civilian during OIF. We have a rich heritage, the greatest military, and many God honoring people in our land. For the most part, America has been a force for good in the world. Do I believe the Lord used America in the past? Absolutely…….because in previous decades, countless missionaries have left America to preach the gospel in the dark corners of the world. I know there have been several anti-Israel administrations in the past, but I believe we have been a safe haven for many Jewish people while they faced antisemitic madness in other places.
Genesis 12:3 “I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
So here’s the thing: Is it ok to have a sense of pride and love for your nation? The answer is yes. With certainty……we should vote with conscience, our convictions, and against evil legislation that’s pro-abortion and pro-homosexual marriage, etc… We should pray for our leaders, respect authority, and be solid citizens because that’s a good witness. I’m weary of the America haters even in our own legislature who label Christians as ignorant people who cling to guns & Bibles. This rhetoric comes from people who despise our land and the morality in lives of Christians in particular.
On the other hand: Do I see many Christians putting an unbiblical faith and hope into politics, people, and principles? The answer is yes. I believe this unbiblical hope in anything other than the Son of God alone is what many ‘American Christians’ are mired in at this moment. They are adherents either knowingly or unknowingly to the false movement and teachings of dominion theology.
What is dominion theology or it’s outflow…kingdom now theology? It’s a belief, movement, and a lifestyle held by an ever growing number of Christians globally, but especially here in America. In short: Dominion theology is postmillennial in nature given the fact that many believe that it is the churches and Christian’s job to set up the Kingdom of God here on the earth before the Second Coming of Jesus. That is a broad definition but the point is this: It is the belief of a growing number of Christians or people who identify with Christianity that…..if we make conditions right, we can make this world ready for Jesus to return. I’ve heard it put like this: ‘We are going to usher in the Kingdom!”
continue reading
concerningthetimes.com/is-your-hope-in-the-us-or-the-i-am/