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January 17, 2025
Peace Publishers LLC. Resources in fifteen categories for self-instruction, classes, sermons, and conferences. An original 21st Century Commentary on Revelation is being added. Site administrator and publisher in English and Spanish: Homer Dewayne Shappley, evangelist and author of 2,500-plus documents in both languages. Oversight: Cairo, Tennesse Church of Christ.
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The "SIXTH COURSE" of "Solid Food" on the subject of the "CHRISTIAN VOTE." Also applicable to the "RELIGIOUS VOTE" in general.
Should Christian leaders and their memberships engage in politics in their congregations and other organizations?
Dear Christian, if, for strong, sound, logical reasons, you are convinced that you should exercise your Right to Vote, I personally would respectfully advise you to do it quietly, not politicking among other Christians and non-Christians.
As I look at the secular, political nations of the world and relate them to the Spiritual Kingdom Not of this World UP HERE in Heavenly Dimensions of the Celestial, my understanding is that politics per se is an EARTHLY SUBJECT INAPPROPRIATE for the PULPIT, classrooms for Bible classes, fellowship halls, the offices of ministers and secretaries, conference rooms where church leaders meet, and even the grounds where the meeting facilities are located, of the Spiritual Congregation and in conversations between individual Christians.
A worldly, secular, emotion-charged subject very likely to engender heated controversies that burn and distance people who engage in it.
For certain, I for one do not see anywhere in the Sacred Scriptures of the New
Testament of Jesus Christ that POLITICS was a SUBJECT of Jesus himself on any occasion of his ministry, nor of his personally elected apostles, nor of the congregations of the church as established by Christ in the 1st century CE. There is no evidence to my knowledge that Christians of that time participated politically in campaigns to change the laws and policies of the Roman emperors, senate, and governors of the Roman provinces, either individually or collectively organizing manifestations in favor of or against this or that ruling person and his political policies, much less for or against political or military leaders vying to be Emperor of the Empire
Today, in 2024, there are so many “angry Christians” out there politicking publicly in one way or another that they are on the radar of the powerful media, projecting a most negative image of the true Jesus Christ and Pure Christianity. For confirmation of their number and reputation, you need only enter the search words “Angry Christian Voters” in Internet search engines. Certainly, they are NOT acting as true spiritual representatives of the Spiritual Kingdom Not of this World, for
“ANGRY name-calling, cursing, shouting of harsh accusations and denigrating epithets, violent or obscene gestures, placard-wielding, and mob-type marches and manifestations” are not actions of the true, noble, disciplined citizens of the Spiritual Kingdom Not of this World. Only secularized, politicized, mostly worldly Christians would be guilty of such clamorous conduct. 2 Corinthians 12:20; Galatians 5:20; Ephesians 4:26, 31; Colossians 3:8; James 1:19-20; Matthew 5:22
While some secular-political nations DOWN THERE on planet Earth concede their citizens the “Personal Right” to openly and rudely show disrespect to, even curse government officials and their employees, the Sovereign Lord of the Spiritual Kingdom UP HERE condemns attitudes and actions of this nature. His dictum is: “HONOR the EMPEROR,” and, by extension, the president, vice-president, chancellor, prime minister, king, prince, governor, senator, representative, ambassador, judge, mayor, etc. 1 Peter 2:17. “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities… Pay… taxes to whom taxes are owed… respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” Romans 13:1-7
The apostle Paul exemplifies admirably obedience to this spiritual dictum from ON HIGH when he was called upon to defend himself before the Roman governor Felix, then Felix’s successor, Porcius Festus, King Agrippa, and Bernice, Agrippa’s wife, against fiery accusations of the Jewish authorities. Acts, chapters 24, 25, and 26. He addresses Porcius Festus as “most excellent Festus.” Acts 26:25. Paul conducts himself before the Roman officials with all the dignity, respect, deference, and intelligence of a true “AMBASSADOR” of the Spiritual Kingdom Not of this World. To the degree that King Agrippa exclaims: “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” Acts 26:24-32
Below. The apostle Paul before the Roman governor Porcius Festus, King Agrippa and Bernice.
To be sure, an example for Christians of today to imitate, for true, faithful citizens of the Spiritual Kingdom are all “ambassadors for Christ.” 2 Corinthians 5:20. A magnificent honor that highlights the tremendous superiority of Spiritual Citizenship over that of any earthly one.
UP HERE, everything is more excellent, perfect, and pleasant. Real and lasting peace. Mutual respect, without exception of persons because of race, social rank, economic status, academic level, occupation, or profession. Normal and healthy conduct and conversations. Restful, tranquil, secure, with great satisfaction. In short, sincere love, friendship, and fellowship to the fullest and purest. All, in expectation of the glorification of this Spiritual Kingdom and its continued eternal existence in the presence of the Sovereign Lord and his Son Jesus Christ who make it all possible. Colossians 1:13-14; 1 Corinthians 15:21-28; 2 Peter 1:5-11; Daniel 2:44 and many more similar texts of the Sacred Writings.
The true Spiritual Kingdom Not of this World is a “Holy Nation.” 1 Peter 2:9. Every true, faithful citizen has been “delivered… from the domain of darkness and transferred… to the kingdom of” the “beloved Son” of God the Father. Colossians 1:13. Dear reader, this takes place when the candidate for Spiritual Citizenship, studying, learning, and understanding the nature and organization of the Spiritual Kingdom, accepts the Sacred Scriptures of this Kingdom as his guide, repents of all past actions in violation of it, and is immersed in the waters of baptism, thus experiencing the new birth of the water and the spirit necessary to be accepted in the Spiritual Kingdom.
As Jesus Christ explained it to “Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:” “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God…. Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” John 3:1-8. If you want to be “delivered… from the domain of darkness and transferred… to the kingdom of God,” we would be glad to help anyway we can.
Text and Graphics by Homer Dewayne Shappley
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CATEGORIES. This document is in the following.
Vote 6 Christians Churches Politicking. Should Christian leaders and their memberships engage in politics in their congregations and other organizations? Politics: a worldly, secular, emotion-charged subject inappropriate for pulpits, Bible classrooms, and church offices. The angry Christian activist is not a true representative of the Spiritual Kingdom Not of this World.