Post by Cindy on May 30, 2019 9:35:25 GMT -5
I see so many people so concerned about politics and politicians today, even Christians, and have to admit that it baffles me. It seems like the social gospel has crept into many people's lives now, so that politics is one of the most important areas of interest to them. Not that it's wrong to be interested in it, just that it shouldn't take precedence over the real Gospel and living our lives for Christ rather than ourselves. It occurs to me though that some may not be aware of what the social gospel is, so I'd like to post a link to Got Questions as they give a great answer to what it is ans why it's not biblical:
www.gotquestions.org/social-gospel.html
The more I study the Bible and inwardly prepare to meet the Lord soon, the less I'm interested in this world. Over and over again we're told not to pay attention to this world, but instead to keep our minds on eternal things. To me, that says it all. When Jesus was here, the Romans were in control of Israel and badly abused the Jews. Yet Jesus never said anything at all about overcoming the Romans or standing up for their rights, or fighting them in any way. Neither did John the Baptist. In fact, soldiers spoke to both of them at different times, asking what they should do to be right with God. John didn't tell them to leave the army, or overthrow Caesar, he told them basically to act righteously: “Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”” (Luke 3:14) Jesus did the same. Jesus always pointed people to what was important eternally, not what was important in this world. The Apostles also took the same approach. Even when believers were being persecuted by various governments, the people weren't told to try and change the laws, they (and we) were told to live quiet peaceful lives and do right by everyone. Slaves were told to obey their masters, not to run away, not to try and change the laws, etc. Again all were pointed toward what was most important in life: the things that will last for eternity, the things that would help them be more like Jesus.
Don't get me wrong now. I'm not saying we shouldn't vote or anything like that. All I'm saying is that we need to be careful about where our interests lie. There will never be peace or justice in any land until Jesus Christ reigns on this earth. Nothing we or anyone else does will cause that to happen. Only Jesus can. The only thing we can do to make this earth more like heaven where God's Will is always done, where there's true justice, peace, and righteousness, is to tell people about Jesus and urge them to be saved. Only when He reigns in people's hearts and changes them, can we begin to experience a more godly society. Laws won't do it, neither will presidents or congressmen. Only Jesus can. Our first and foremost occupation and interest should always be letting others know about our God and all He offers. For those of us who use Facebook or other social media, that is what the things we share should indicate. Perhaps we should each take a look at our sites and see what we post the most about, because that will be what we care about the most. Hopefully we'll discover it's about God and His Word.
Jesus is our example and that's what He did. It's what He taught His disciples to do and what they teach us. We're warned all the time not to become involved in this world, but instead to get people involved in Jesus.
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:1–2)
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15)
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)
Let me quote a couple of excerpts from Got Questions about this too:
Jesus showed deep compassion for the poor, the sick, the dispossessed, and the outcasts of society. He healed them, but before taking care of their physical or emotional needs, He first took care of their spiritual needs. He was most concerned about the state of their souls and preached the gospel of repentance from sin through Him so they understood that their eternal destiny was far more important than their circumstances here on earth.
Jesus reflected God’s sense of justice by bringing the gospel message to the lower rungs of society. The wealthy also need to hear the gospel message, but it is noteworthy that the well-to-do, the upstanding and respected members of society are less likely to see their utter spiritual bankruptcy before God and embrace the message of the gospel. Christians are under a personal obligation to love their neighbours as they love themselves (Matthew 22:39). We have a responsibility to be good stewards of our own wealth because all wealth comes from and belongs to God. Christians should take a God-centered approach to social justice, not a man-centered approach. We see Christ Jesus as our Savior. When He returns, He will restore justice. In the meantime, Christians are to express God’s love and justice by showing kindness in practical ways to those less fortunate.
More:
www.gotquestions.org/social-gospel.html
www.gotquestions.org/social-gospel.html
The more I study the Bible and inwardly prepare to meet the Lord soon, the less I'm interested in this world. Over and over again we're told not to pay attention to this world, but instead to keep our minds on eternal things. To me, that says it all. When Jesus was here, the Romans were in control of Israel and badly abused the Jews. Yet Jesus never said anything at all about overcoming the Romans or standing up for their rights, or fighting them in any way. Neither did John the Baptist. In fact, soldiers spoke to both of them at different times, asking what they should do to be right with God. John didn't tell them to leave the army, or overthrow Caesar, he told them basically to act righteously: “Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”” (Luke 3:14) Jesus did the same. Jesus always pointed people to what was important eternally, not what was important in this world. The Apostles also took the same approach. Even when believers were being persecuted by various governments, the people weren't told to try and change the laws, they (and we) were told to live quiet peaceful lives and do right by everyone. Slaves were told to obey their masters, not to run away, not to try and change the laws, etc. Again all were pointed toward what was most important in life: the things that will last for eternity, the things that would help them be more like Jesus.
Don't get me wrong now. I'm not saying we shouldn't vote or anything like that. All I'm saying is that we need to be careful about where our interests lie. There will never be peace or justice in any land until Jesus Christ reigns on this earth. Nothing we or anyone else does will cause that to happen. Only Jesus can. The only thing we can do to make this earth more like heaven where God's Will is always done, where there's true justice, peace, and righteousness, is to tell people about Jesus and urge them to be saved. Only when He reigns in people's hearts and changes them, can we begin to experience a more godly society. Laws won't do it, neither will presidents or congressmen. Only Jesus can. Our first and foremost occupation and interest should always be letting others know about our God and all He offers. For those of us who use Facebook or other social media, that is what the things we share should indicate. Perhaps we should each take a look at our sites and see what we post the most about, because that will be what we care about the most. Hopefully we'll discover it's about God and His Word.
Jesus is our example and that's what He did. It's what He taught His disciples to do and what they teach us. We're warned all the time not to become involved in this world, but instead to get people involved in Jesus.
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:1–2)
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15)
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)
Let me quote a couple of excerpts from Got Questions about this too:
Jesus showed deep compassion for the poor, the sick, the dispossessed, and the outcasts of society. He healed them, but before taking care of their physical or emotional needs, He first took care of their spiritual needs. He was most concerned about the state of their souls and preached the gospel of repentance from sin through Him so they understood that their eternal destiny was far more important than their circumstances here on earth.
Jesus reflected God’s sense of justice by bringing the gospel message to the lower rungs of society. The wealthy also need to hear the gospel message, but it is noteworthy that the well-to-do, the upstanding and respected members of society are less likely to see their utter spiritual bankruptcy before God and embrace the message of the gospel. Christians are under a personal obligation to love their neighbours as they love themselves (Matthew 22:39). We have a responsibility to be good stewards of our own wealth because all wealth comes from and belongs to God. Christians should take a God-centered approach to social justice, not a man-centered approach. We see Christ Jesus as our Savior. When He returns, He will restore justice. In the meantime, Christians are to express God’s love and justice by showing kindness in practical ways to those less fortunate.
More:
www.gotquestions.org/social-gospel.html
!!
