Nationalism and the Christian
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Hear this, I am legally blind, I responded to an alert given me which is the one to which I first responded of yous. So, do not judge by appearances, but with right judgement. God bless you, and if you are reposting on anything, remember the alerts come to us and I along with many who are not beleaguered by bad sight have a tendency to respond to that alert. God bless you more and be well. Remember, our Kingdom is NOT of this earth.
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And the same Holy Spirit tells us:
Break their teeth in their mouth, O God! Break out the fangs of the young lions, O LORD! Let them flow away as waters which run continually; when he bends his bow, let his arrows be as if cut in pieces. Let them be like a snail which melts away as it goes, like a stillborn child of a woman, that they may not see the sun. Before your pots can feel the burning thorns, He shall take them away as with a whirlwind, as in His living and burning wrath. The righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance; He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.
Break their teeth in their mouth, O God! Break out the fangs of the young lions, O LORD! Let them flow away as waters which run continually; when he bends his bow, let his arrows be as if cut in pieces. Let them be like a snail which melts away as it goes, like a stillborn child of a woman, that they may not see the sun. Before your pots can feel the burning thorns, He shall take them away as with a whirlwind, as in His living and burning wrath. The righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance; He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.
Yes, but there is a difference between a personal principle and a political policy.
The Bible ALSO clearly says that government exists in order to be a "sword and a terror" to evildoers. I take that to mean that the heart of government is a military (defense against foreign enemies), police (defense against criminals), and the legal framework to support those things.
The Roman soldiers served as both police and military. Notice that when the soldiers asked John the Baptist (I think it was) how they should live he did NOT tell them to lay down their arms and abandon their posts. He basically told them not to be involved in corruption/extortion and not to employ violence unnecessarily.
There is a time for violence, war, and killing.
The Bible ALSO clearly says that government exists in order to be a "sword and a terror" to evildoers. I take that to mean that the heart of government is a military (defense against foreign enemies), police (defense against criminals), and the legal framework to support those things.
The Roman soldiers served as both police and military. Notice that when the soldiers asked John the Baptist (I think it was) how they should live he did NOT tell them to lay down their arms and abandon their posts. He basically told them not to be involved in corruption/extortion and not to employ violence unnecessarily.
There is a time for violence, war, and killing.
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Nationalism is usually fairly abusive.
However....
You live in a community. You know the farmers and bakeries and grocery store. Even the doctors and school teachers and factory workers.
It isn't "every family for itself"... never has been. Your community does exist inside of a nation though and has leaders.
So... you are a part of a community of people. For it's well being or destruction. The choice is yours.
You aren't expected to destroy yourself because you are a valuable member and resource for the community. But if the community is destroyed there's no belonging anymore either.
We aren't part of Israel. We are of course part of God's kingdom. God's kingdom is untouchable and eternal.
There's the line.
Don't die for a politician. They are worthless anyway. Your neighbors? Another thing altogether.
However....
You live in a community. You know the farmers and bakeries and grocery store. Even the doctors and school teachers and factory workers.
It isn't "every family for itself"... never has been. Your community does exist inside of a nation though and has leaders.
So... you are a part of a community of people. For it's well being or destruction. The choice is yours.
You aren't expected to destroy yourself because you are a valuable member and resource for the community. But if the community is destroyed there's no belonging anymore either.
We aren't part of Israel. We are of course part of God's kingdom. God's kingdom is untouchable and eternal.
There's the line.
Don't die for a politician. They are worthless anyway. Your neighbors? Another thing altogether.
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We should make a distinction between "loving your country" and "nationalism". IMO, this country is the best place to live in the world. However, I am far removed from those who think we should export our way of life and values. I believe national politicians are generally compromised and I show them no support. I support local government and leaders if I know them. I won't vouch for someone based on a message alone. I have to know the person and their character. If I don't know someone in this way they will not get my vote. I believe that is consistent with letting our yeses be "yes" and our noes be "no".
Perhaps, but just to be clear I am not suggesting moderation is the key. We, as people of God, are to worship in Spirit and in truth. IMO we should have very little tolerance for people in high places who are largely unapproachable. Such a system is contrary to the order of the Kingdom wherein the King allows the little children to approach Him.
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ROMANS 13:1-3
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval.”
This scripture says that God gives the nations authority that we are to obey. Our first loyalty is to the kingdom of heaven, not the kingdoms of the earth. What the nations do that is not of God we are not obliged to follow.
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval.”
This scripture says that God gives the nations authority that we are to obey. Our first loyalty is to the kingdom of heaven, not the kingdoms of the earth. What the nations do that is not of God we are not obliged to follow.
