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Saturday, June 20, 2020

But wait, How did Jesus feel about it?

Looking through a Biblical lens, the following images are utterly nonsensical.  If you replaced "Trump" with "Biden" they would be just as foolish and heretical.

God, Guns & Trump Short-Sleeve Unisex T-Shirt – Flag and Cross


God Guns And Trump American Flag 2nd Amendment shirt, hoodie ...




Did Jesus endorse any political figure, ever?

Luke 13:31-35 

31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod (the king with less power than today's U.S. President) wants to kill you.” 32 He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me,[a] ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. 33 Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’ 34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35 See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when[b] you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

With the Roman governor who did have power, Jesus did have this conversationNow when Pilate heard this, he was more afraid than ever. He entered his headquarters[a] again and asked Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 Pilate therefore said to him, “Do you refuse to speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered him, “You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” 12 From then on Pilate tried to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are no friend of the emperor. Everyone who claims to be a king sets himself against the emperor.”

What about the flag?  As Christians, in everything, we submit to Jesus.  Would our Lord wave a flag, any flag?

From a Christian perspective, we aren't even citizens here, much less voters, much less advocates for any political party.  

Philippians 3:7-11, 17-21
Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ,[a] the righteousness from God based on faith. 10 I want to know Christ[b] and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, 11 if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

17 Brothers and sisters,[a] join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. 18 For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. 19 Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship[b] is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 He will transform the body of our humiliation[c] that it may be conformed to the body of his glory,[d] by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself.


Ok, so Jesus doesn't endorse candidates.  "Christian" means "little Christ."  So Christians, by their name 'Christian,' must not endorse candidates.

Jesus doesn't pledge allegiance to flags, not Rome, not America, not even Israel.  So, Christians, by their name 'little christs,' have to think seriously whenever they put their hands over their hearts and say, "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America."  Any argument in favor of pledging to any national flag, for a Christian, has to be an argument made from scripture.  

Fine.  No political candidates.  No flag waving.  What about guns?

Matthew 5:21-22, 38-47
21 “You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister,[e] you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult[f] a brother or sister,[g] you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell[h] of fire. 
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; 40 and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; 41 and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. 42 Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters,[o] what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 

The New Testament is always a challenge to believers because we look at our lives, we look at how Jesus calls us to live, think, and feel; and looking at both, we see how far off we are from Jesus' way.  It's especially hard for Americans in presidential election year.  But why?

It is hard for American Christians in an presidential election year because too much of our identity is tied up in "American."  We have forgotten to die to self and take up cross.  If we did die to self and totally follow Jesus, we'd be scared at first, but we'd soon discover his burden is light.  



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