The Kingdom of God

If I were to ask you what was the most fundamental theme of the Bible from beginning to end, what would you say? In all likelihood, your answer would consist of God's plan of salvation or something similar. To be sure, this plan is very important, with the first mention of it occurring in Genesis 3:15. However, there is another idea, even more foundational in the revelation of God, that stretches all the way back to the first chapter of Genesis.

And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
(Genesis 1:28)

In the first recorded words God spoke to Adam and Eve, He gave them authority to rule the earth and all it contained. This is the first manifestation of the Kingdom of God, in which the Lord chooses people to express His rule by their submission to His Kingship. In my perspective, this is the key aspect that permeates all the Scriptures. (Given the scope of what I'm going to discuss, this article will be somewhat longer than average. Please bear with me.) After the Fall, only a very small minority have been willing to have God as their King. Rejection of God's rule became so systemic that He had to purge the whole world with water and start over with one faithful family.

Sadly but predictably, Noah's descendants also rejected the Lord's dominion, and He compelled them to fill the earth when they wouldn't do it willingly. However, with the call of Abraham, God commenced the sequence of events that would lead to the creation of the nation of Israel as a visible expression of the Kingdom of God on earth. Shortly before delivering the Law to Moses, the Lord told him:

Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
(Exodus 19:5-6)

Under the Law, the role of the priesthood was to mediate God's covenant to Israel. Also, we see here that Israel itself is to be a kingdom of priests, expressing God's rule to the other nations of the world. God would bless the children of Israel when they obeyed His commands, and by reaping these blessings Israel would in turn display the glory of having the God of Heaven as their King. Moses pointed this out in his messages to the children of Israel before they entered the Promised Land.

Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for?
(Deuteronomy 4:6-7)

And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments; And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken.
(Deuteronomy 26:18-19)

Consequently, the Israelites were supposed to keep themselves pure from any intermingling with the surrounding kingdoms, but they were unable to maintain this purity with much consistency. They even wanted to worship these other nations' idols! Additionally, there was another significant way Israel wanted to be like the heathen nations.

Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son's son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian. And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.
(Judges 8:22-23)

Despite some other shortcomings, Gideon understood the importance of having no King but the Lord. However, Abimelech, the son of his concubine, did not heed Gideon's words. After Abimelech slew all of Gideon's sons except Jotham and was consequently made king, Jotham shared an insightful parable (Judges 9:7-15) with the new ruler and his followers. The olive tree, the fig tree, and the vine all refuse to be king of the trees because it would require them to give up the bearing of fruit. However, the bramble is willing to accept the offer. What is the "fruit" of the bramble? Thorns. There are obvious similarities with the imagery of good fruit and thorns in the teachings of Jesus (e.g., Matthew 7:16-20). Eventually, Abimelech and his supporters turned on each other. After this debacle, the Israelites temporarily dropped the issue of having an earthly king, but they returned to their idea in time of Samuel.

And [the elders of Israel] said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee. Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.
(1 Samuel 8:5-9)

Just like the rest of humanity, the people God had chose to be His Kingdom of priests had rejected His Kingship. Nevertheless, by telling Samuel to warn them, God gave Israel one more chance to reconsider.

And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day. Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us; That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.
(1 Samuel 8:18-20)

As the old saying goes, be careful what you wish for--you may get it. Israel became just like all the nations in having one of their own as king, instead of God. Some of the kings of Israel, and later Judah, had a genuine heart to serve the Lord, but eventually both of the divided kingdoms descended into widespread idolatry. That we also may be like all the nations. When Israel's rejection of the Lord's dominion was complete, God wiped it out as a physical nation.

I will be thy king: where is any other that may save thee in all thy cities? and thy judges of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and princes? I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath.
(Hosea 13:10-11)

Israel briefly reestablished independence as a nation during the Maccabean period between the Old and New Testaments, but it had been thoroughly subjugated by Rome by the time of Jesus. However, some of the messengers sent to Israel by the Lord had left prophecies of another King yet to come who would be a superior expression of God's rule.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
(Isaiah 9:6-7)

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
(Zechariah 9:9)

As I indicated earlier, God had offered Israel the chance to show the world what it means to have the Lord as their King. For the most part, Israel failed. Despite this, God's declaration of His Kingdom not only continued but grew more pronounced in the New Testament, in fulfillment of the prophets' words. Preparing the way for his Lord, John the Baptist declared:

Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
(Matthew 3:2)

Jesus confirmed this with the opening statement of His ministry.

From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
(Matthew 4:17)


This is why Jesus had come--to preach the Kingdom of God, which He succinctly defined in the Lord's Prayer: "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." He spoke more about the Kingdom than any other subject in His teachings. Most of His parables described what the Kingdom was like. This was to be a spiritual Kingdom, not a physical one, and Jesus was to be the only King. Now, Jesus was not an earthly king, forcing people to obey Him. He refused such a position when offered (John 6:15). Jesus offered the Kingdom of God to any who would receive it, but He used no compulsion. His Kingdom is manifest now in the willingly obedient hearts of those who acknowlege Him as King (Colossians 1:13). The Kingdom is a present reality, not some future time period. The following verses, although comprising a sizeable list, are only a fraction of references to the Kingdom of God in the Gospels.

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
(Matthew 4:23)

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
(Matthew 6:33)

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
(Matthew 7:21)

And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
(Matthew 9:35)

And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
(Matthew 10:7)

But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
(Matthew 19:14)

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
(Matthew 24:14)

Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
(Mark 1:14-15)

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
(Mark 10:15)

And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.
(Mark 12:34)

I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.
(Luke 4:43)

And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him,
(Luke 8:1)

And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.
(Luke 8:10)


And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
(Luke 9:2)

And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.
(Luke 9:11)

And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
(Luke 9:62)

And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
(Luke 10:9)

But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.
(Luke 11:20)

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
(Luke 12:32)

The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.
(Luke 16:16)

 
And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
(Luke 17:20-21)

And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.
(Luke 18:29-30)


Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

(John 3:3)

 
My goal here with all these verses is to demonstrate how important is the subject of God's Kingdom. Jesus would not have emphasized it so much (to the tune of about a hundred references in the Gospel accounts) if it were not vital for us to grasp its significance. He was still discussing it with the apostles after His resurrection (Acts 1:3). The Kingdom of God is the Gospel. The word grace only appears in four verses in all of the Gospels, and Jesus never used the term in any of His teachings. Jesus talked about the Kingdom far more than even His death for our sins. I'm not saying these doctrines are not essential, but I'm trying to show how the Kingdom is the central message. God's rule had to come to earth in bodily form in the Lord Jesus, and His death on the cross was the culmination of His submission to His Father's will. Jesus could have gotten Himself crucified by leading a glorious military revolution to free Judea from foreign rule like the Maccabees did. That's not what He did. He got crucified for insisting that He was King!

Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. (John 18:33-37)

Just like in the Old Testament, the majority of the Jews had rejected God's Kingship over them. As the embodient of that Kingship, Jesus had to die.

And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.
(John 19:14-15)

When we repent and put our faith in Christ, we are saved from our sins, but more than that, we acknowledge that Jesus is our King. Then can we truly say the Kingdom of God is within us. Jesus suffered many trials, including death, to offer the Kingdom to us. If we are serious about extending this offer of the Kingdom of God to the nations of the world, we must be prepared to face persecution as well (2 Timothy 3:12). This is no "health and wealth" gospel.

There are two parables in particular about the Kingdom that I want to look at. They are both in Matthew 13, and Jesus has fully explained what both of them mean. The first is the parable of the sower. What is the seed that was sown?

When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandethit not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
(Matthew 13:19)

The sower's seed is the word of the Kingdom of God. The second parable concerns the wheat and the tares. Once again I ask, what is the seed that was sown?

 
The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; 
(Matthew 13:38)

Children of the Kingdom! Is the message of God's Kingdom getting a hold of you? Israel having rejected the role, the Kingdom of priests and the holy nation are now the followers of Christ (1 Peter 2:9). 
What the nation of Israel failed to show the rest of the world about the glory of our God, it is our responsibility, as the holy nation, to demonstrate, thus enlarging the Kingdom of God on earth. You will also notice what category those who are not children of the Kingdom fall into.

For the sake of thoroughness, I will mention that the theory of dispensationalism teaches that everything I quoted above about the Kingdom does not apply to followers of Jesus. As I understand the theory, the gospel of the Kingdom of God was meant for the Jews, and when they rejected it, God replaced it with the "gospel of grace" which was preached to the Gentiles by the apostles, especially Paul. Another explanation I've heard is that the Kingdom teachings of Jesus were just an extension of the Law. Supposedly, by setting an "impossible" standard, Jesus would drive us to accept God's grace. In response to this, let's go to the book of Acts to see just what gospel the apostles were teaching.

But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
(Acts 8:12)

Confirming the souls of the disciples,and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
(Acts 14:22)

And he [Paul] went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.
(Acts 19:8)

And now, behold, I [Paul] know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
(Acts 20:25)

And when they had appointed him [Paul] a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.
(Acts 28:23)

 
And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,
Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
(Acts 28:30-31)

Those final verses are the concluding words of the Acts of the Apostles. The Kingdom of God is also discussed in the epistles and Revelation. I know I have already listed a lot of Scripture, so I'll just give these references if you wish to check them: Romans 14:17; 1 Corinthians 4:20, 6:9-10, 15:50; Galatians 5:21; Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 4:11; 1 Thessalonians 2:12; 2 Thessalonians 1:5; James 2:5; Revelation 1:9, 12:10. As with the Gospels, this list is not exhaustive. If God intended for a different gospel to supplant the gospel of the Kingdom, then the Holy Spirit must have neglected to inform the apostles. Of course, Paul said:

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
(Galatians 1:8-9)

He said it twice just to make sure we don't miss it. Now, lest I give the wrong impression, I do not believe we earn our salvation by our works. Our salvation would be impossible without God's grace. But does God save us just so we don't go to hell? Where we go when we die is not all there is to Christianity. Those of us who serve Jesus as King have been redeemed so that we may be vessels meet for the Master's use in expressing His rule to the nations.

Obviously, there are many practical applications to be made for living the life of the Kingdom. I think it was an accurate appraisal when one brother said that the Sermon on the Mount is the Constitution of the Kingdom of God. The words of Jesus should always be our starting point. Many of my other posts attempt to address these applications in a Scriptural manner. There are a few very important applications I would like to examine before I close. They have to do with the matter of allegiance. Who is our sovereign? If Jesus is our King, then obviously He is. Can we have more than one king? To put it another way, can Jesus and the federal government both be our sovereign? Both Jesus and the governing authorities want the absolute loyalty of their subjects. Jesus said that no man can serve two masters. Therefore, in my view, if we give our allegiance to Caesar, then Jesus is not really our King.

Before the cry of anarchy is heard, I'll let you know that I believe the governing authorities are given their power by God to keep order in society, and that followers of Jesus should obey their laws (Romans 13)--conditionally. We obey Casear not because he is our king, but because our King tells us to. At some point, it is inevitable that some of the laws of the earthly kingdom we inhabit will conflict with the laws of the Kingdom of God. In such cases, who we obey shows who our king is. Peter and John told the Jewish authorities that they had to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29).

For example, Jesus taught that subjects of His Kingdom are to return good for evil and love their enemies (Matthew 5:44). Let's say that the nation we live in decides to settle its differences with another nation by killing as many of its citizens as possible. Naturally, Caesar cannot effectively wage war without a strong military. So, the governing authorities start rolling out the propaganda to convince folks to join the armed forces in order to defend our great country. If that doesn't produce enough recruits, conscription is always an option. If a draft card shows up in your mailbox, do you submit to Caesar's command to join the military, or do you submit to Christ's command to be as harmless as doves? Without doubt, you could find many people who profess Christianity, and very loudly at that, to tell you that fighting for your country is not only acceptable but a Christian duty. If you refuse, you could be called a coward, an ingrate, a traitor, or many other such epithets. Nowadays, the U.S. military usually recognizes conscientious objectors, but in times past followers of Jesus have been thrown in prison, had all their possessions confiscated, or even been subjected to such harsh treatment that it lead to their death for not participating in America's wars. But if Jesus is our King, all that doesn't matter. He is the Prince of Peace, not war. In fact, the early Christians (before Constantine) believed that it was their commitment to their King's teachings on peace that was responsible for the two-century period of peace now referred to as the Pax Romana.

The next step that seems clear to me is that followers of Jesus should abstain from becoming part of the governing authorities (Mark 10:42-45), just as our King did. We are not called to enforce order or righteousness for those outside the Kingdom. We are to invite people to join the Kingdom and help them to follow Jesus, while God deals with those outside (1 Corinthians 5:12-13). I would even venture to say that the selection of who is to wield earthly power in the nation where we physically reside should be of no concern to citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20). No authority on earth can supersede the authority of our King.

I realize I have gone on for a long time, and I still feel like there are so many things I haven't covered. I pray that the Lord can use my feeble attempts to convey what I believe is the message of the Kingdom of God. I would like to acknowledge that I was inspired to write this treatment of the development of the Kingdom in large part by some excellent studies on this subject given by a brother named John D. Martin from Shippensburg Christian Fellowship. I appreciate his definition of the Kingdom as "what the whole world would look like if everyone obeyed the King." I am also grateful for the insights I received from a work by Peter Walpot, who was an early Hutterite servant of the Word. Any oversights or errors of course are mine. I welcome any comments or corrections from the Scriptures, from which I leave you with one final passage.

The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

(Matthew 13:41-43)

Christians and the Military

Some time ago, I had an email discussion with another Christian on the subject of how a follower of Jesus should view military service. The other fellow holds the view that being in the armed forces is an honorable vocation for a Christian, while I believe that such service is incompatible with the teachings of Jesus. I thought it might be informative to post some of the dialogue. For clarity, I will indicate his points with a ^ and preface my responses with an *.

　

^Question: What does the Bible say about a Christian serving in the military?

John, One of the first things we need to do as God’s people when we study a subject especially when it is a controversial one is to focus on God’s word only and not to our traditions or denomination we are a part of.

*I can assure you that I do not believe anything just because a particular group or denomination says so. I follow the teachings of the New Testament as I understand them with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. As you may know, I come from a Catholic background, which I have rejected. I do not believe in non-resistance because I identify with the Mennonites now. I identify with the Mennonites now because I believe in non-resistance and many other teachings common among them. However, I do not accept conservative Mennonite beliefs wholesale.

^First of all, Christ’s teachings are repeating what was taught in the Old Testament, as he said "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill." Matthew 5:17

*Christ did not destroy the law, but I believe that He did fulfIll it by His atoning sacrifice. "It is finished." As such, I view the law to be obsolete as a moral standard for Christians.

But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first

covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second... In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

(Heb 8:6,7,13)

^Example:

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

but that is found in the Old Testament

But the meek shall inherit the earth Psalm 37:11

*I consider Christ's teachings in the Sermon on the Mount to be more than simply repeating Old Testament teaching. They represent a higher moral standard.

Example:

Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

(Mat 5:33-36)

The OT command was not to swear falsely. The NT command is not to swear at all.

Example:

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

(Mat 6:19-21)

In the OT, amassing wealth was acceptable. In the NT, Jesus tells us not to accumulate wealth. More examples could be given.

^When Jesus said "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy" He was not replacing it but correcting the abuses of the day because it had been distorted over the years.

Actually the verses they were misquoting was Leviticus 19:17 & 18

Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord.

*In Leviticus, an Israelite's neighbors were defined as other Israelites ("the children of thy people"). The surrounding nations were outsiders from which God told the Israelites to separate themselves. A lawyer asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbour?" The Lord's response was the account of the good Samaritan, a member of a nation traditionally hated by the Jews.

^Principals like "Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head" Romans 12:20 The same things found in the Old Testament as well.

*I understand that Romans 12:20 is a reference to Proverbs. However, the practice of the principle was sporadic in the OT at best. This is understandable considering it was outside of the Mosaic law. In the NT it becomes binding for Christians.

^What about Killing????

Well the Bible tells us not to Kill Exodus 20:13

The Hebrew word for Kill is (

רָצַח ratsach) Which means not to Murder

Then there is Ecclesiastes 3:3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

Hebrew word for kill is (הָרַג harag) which is to protect in war and defense of one’s family, not to abuse.

The role of the institution of Government (Genesis 9 Noahic Covenant) is to take one’s life when they shed another’s blood (murder) – Capital Punishment which is commanded by God and was not done away with in the New Testament.

Just like in any language there are words that are spelled the same and have different meanings.

*I am aware that the word "kill" in the Sixth Commandment means "murder." However, my opposition to military service has nothing to do with the Ten Commandments or any other part of the Mosaic law. Yes, God has given the government the authority to use violence to punish evildoers as indicated in Romans 13. Israel was an earthly nation and as such its government like any other used force to defend itself and enforce order.

I want to make sure you understand one key aspect of my position. I am not a pacifist. I don't believe Christians shouldn't be in the military because war is inherently against God's will. However, I believe it is God's will that Christians should not be involved in the fighting of wars.

This seems like an appropriate place to elaborate on my understanding of the two kingdom concept. A continual subject of Jesus's teachings was the kingdom of God. The reason the teachings of Christ raised the bar for morality is because Jesus was not interested in creating a new earthly kingdom, but rather something entirely new. When Pilate questioned Him about His kingdom, "Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence." (John 18:36). The kingdom of God is not some future state but the present membership of the body of Christ.

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated

us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

(Col 1:12-13)

I believe the distinction between kingdom of the world and kingdom of God can be observed in Romans 12 and 13. Chapter 12 contains instructions for Christian living, and Paul speaks in the second person--you do this or you do not do that. Chapter 13 explains the enforcement role of the government, which Paul refers to in the third person. No man can serve two masters.

Example:

For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to

execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

(Rom 13:4)

^The Bible contains plenty of information about serving in the military. While many of the Bible’s references to the military are only analogies, several verses directly relate to this question. The Bible does not specifically state whether or not someone should serve in the military. At the same time, Christians can rest assured that being a soldier is highly respected throughout the Scriptures and know that such service is consistent with a biblical worldview.

*The NT does not say, "thou shalt not serve in the military." Neither does it say, "thou shalt not watch ungodly entertainment." However, it is an obvious application of Biblical principles. Also, to say that being a soldier is highly respected throughout the Scriptures is a bold statement. Consider, for instance, when God told David that he would not build the temple because he had shed so much blood in his wars (1 Chronicles 22:8).

For a Christian to know that any behavior, such as military service, is consistent with a Biblical worldview requires at a minimum a thorough examination of the teachings of Christ and His apostles. As a start, look at the Great Commission.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

(Mat 28:19-20)

That is our job as Christians, in a nutshell. It is rather hard to accomplish these things if we are killing people on the battlefield. If unbelievers, those opposing soldiers need the Gospel too. If believers, those opposing soldiers should be our partners with all other believers in making disciples.

^The first example of military service is found in the Old Testament (Genesis 14), when Abraham's nephew Lot was kidnapped by Chedorlaomer, king of Elam, and his allies. Abraham rallied to Lot's aid by gathering 318 trained men of his household and defeating the Elamites. Here we see armed forces engaged in a noble task—rescuing and protecting the innocent.

Late in its history, the nation of Israel developed a standing army. The sense that God was the Divine Warrior and would protect His people regardless of their military strength may have been a reason why Israel was slow to develop an army. The development of a regular standing army in Israel came only after a strong, centralized political system had been developed by Saul, David, and Solomon. Saul was the first to form a permanent army (1 Samuel 13:2; 24:2; 26:2).

What Saul began, David continued. He increased the army, brought in hired troops from other regions who were loyal to him alone (2 Samuel 15:19-22) and turned over the direct leadership of his armies to a commander-in-chief, Joab. Under David, Israel also became more aggressive in its offensive military policies, absorbing neighboring states like Ammon (2 Samuel 11:1; 1 Chronicles 20:1-3). David established a system of rotating troops with twelve groups of 24,000 men serving one month of the year (1 Chronicles 27). Although Solomon's reign was peaceful, he further expanded the army, adding chariots and horsemen (1 Kings 10:26). The standing army continued (though divided along with the kingdom after the death of Solomon) until 586 B.C., when Israel (Judah) ceased to exist as a political entity.

*Here I will simply reiterate my belief that Christ's teachings for the kingdom of God constitute a superior standard compared to what took place with earthly kingdoms in the OT.

^In the New Testament, Jesus marveled when a Roman centurion (an officer in charge of one hundred soldiers) approached Him. The centurion’s response to Jesus indicated his clear understanding of authority, as well as his faith in Jesus (Matthew 8:5-13). Jesus did not denounce his career. Many centurions mentioned in the New Testament are praised as Christians, God-fearers, and men of good character (Matthew 8:5; 27:54; Mark 15:39-45; Luke 7:2; 23:47; Acts 10:1; 21:32; 28:16).

*Jesus did not denounce the centurion's career and neither did Jesus applaud his career. The reason Jesus marveled at his faith is because he was a Gentile, not because he was a soldier. When Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well, she was living with a man she was not married to, but Jesus did not tell her leave him. It does not follow that Christ approved of her living in sin. As for Cornelius, the Bible does not say what he did after his conversion. For all we know, he may have left the Roman military. These examples simply illustrate that a soldier can receive the Gospel, just like any person no matter how sinful.

^The places and the titles may have changed, but our armed forces should be just as valued as the centurions of the Bible. The position of soldier was highly respected. For example, Paul describes Epaphroditus, a fellow Christian, as a "fellow soldier" (Philippians 2:25). The Bible also uses military terms to describe being strong in the Lord by putting on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20), including the tools of the soldier—helmet, shield, and sword.

God’s word does address serving in the military, directly and indirectly. The Christian men and women who serve their country with character, dignity, and honor can rest assured that the civic duty they perform is condoned and respected by our sovereign God. Those who honorably serve in the military deserve our respect and gratitude.

*You mentioned above military references serving as analogies. I believe that is the case for these examples. Christians are soldiers in a spiritual battle. We are grappling with the devil for the souls of men.

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of

this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

(2Ti 2:3-4)

I think earthly warfare would qualify as an affair of this life; it is contrary to the Great Commission. We are called to spread the kingdom of God. That kingdom is where a Christian's primary loyalty should be, not in the earthly kingdom he happens to be a citizen of. God will attend to the relations between nations. Things like civic duty or even the fates of different countries pale in eternal significance to the value of one soul. As such, our weapons and our battles are spiritual.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare

are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

(2Co 10:3-5)

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

(Eph 6:12)

^Luke 3:14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him (John The Baptist), saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence (to extort from one by intimidation money or other property) to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.

John did not tell them to get out of the military but not to abuse their occupation.

*The ministry of John the Baptist was still under the Old Covenant. He was the last Hebrew prophet. Jesus had not yet introduced His teachings on the kingdom of God, and John was not a member of it.

Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

(Mat 11:11)

The law and the prophets

were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

(Luk 16:16)

^The Military has been used of God and there is nothing that forbids one serving in the Military, but like anything else we do, not to abuse the limited power entrusted to us and use it for his glory.

Our family ultimately seeks peace and to love our enemy as Christ commands, but we also believe as the bible teaches to provide and defend our way of life.

*Just because God has used the military does not automatically justify Christian participation. God has the prerogative to use the most wicked person to accomplish His will if He so wishes. In the OT, God used Assyria and Babylon to carry Israel and Judah into captivity as a consequence of their transgressions, and those were pagan kingdoms.

As I see it, serving in the military violates the teachings of Christ on loving your enemies. I'm a visual person, so I will attempt to paint a picture of a scene. Your unit is deployed to the front lines of a battle. You spot the enemy's troops. You raise your assault rifle and line up your sights on an enemy soldier. You wait until he comes in range and then pull the trigger. When you opened fire on that person, were you loving him?

Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love

is the fulfilling of the law.

(Rom 13:10)

As for our way of life, it is not our role to defend it with force. Our shield and defender is God.

Let your

conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

(Heb 13:5-6)

More food for thought: are we absolutely sure our way of life is totally pleasing to God? He chastens those He loves. How did Jesus indicate His followers should respond to opposition? When Jesus sent out the twelve apostles to cast out demons and heal, these were some of His instructions:

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

(Mat 10:16)

If they were persecuted, the Lord instructed them to flee, not to fight back. Here's another example. Jesus was passing through a Samaritan village with the apostles, but the Samaritans did not want anything to do with them.

And when his disciples James and John saw

this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

(Luk 9:54-56)

One more point I would like to consider is how the first generations of Christians looked at this subject. What was the original teaching of the Christian church? These writers were only a handful of generations removed from the apostles. The following quotes are drawn from The Ante-Nicene Fathers, as organized in A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs, edited by David W. Bercot.

We who formerly murdered one another now refrain from making war even upon our enemies.

-Justin Martyr, c. 160, Vol. 1, page 176.

The Christian does no harm even to his enemy.

-Tertullian, c. 197, Vol. 3, page 51.

Now inquiry is made about the point of whether a believer may enter into military service. The question is also asked whether those in the military may be admitted into the faith--even the rank and file (or any inferior grade), who are not required to take part in sacrifices or capital punishments...A man cannot give his allegiance to two masters--God and Caesar...How will a Christian man participate in war? In fact, how will he serve even in peace without a sword? For the Lord has taken the sword away. It is also true that soldiers came to John [the Baptist] and received the instructions for their conduct. It is true also that a centurion believed. Nevertheless, the Lord afterward, in disarming Peter, disarmed every soldier.

-Tertullian, c. 200, Vol. 3, page 73.

Yet Christ nowhere teaches that it is right for His own disciples to offer violence to anyone, no matter how wicked. For He did not consider it to be in accord with His laws to allow the killing of any individual whomever. For His laws were derived from a divine source.

-Origen, c. 248, Vol. 4, page 467.

These examples are representative, but there are many more. Even as late as the Council of Nicaea, the church prescibed excommunication for former soldiers who returned to the military. It was only after the fusion of church and state initiated by Constantine in the 4th century that it became acceptable for Christians to join the military.

Spiritual Pageantry or First Works

My dictionary defines the word "pageant" as "an exhibition, a show, or a parade." In other words, a pageant is an event primarily intended to be for entertainment. Some time ago, my family was given an interesting children's book. The story focuses on a young girl who will be playing the part of an angel in a church nativity pageant. In the days leading up to the play, the girl notices a man on a street corner who plays an organ grinder in order to get donations from passers-by. When she realizes the man is homeless, the girl asks her mom if they could do something to help him. The mother is unconcerned; she is far more preoccupied with her daughter's upcoming performance.

On the night of the pageant, this mother is only worried about getting to the church building on time for the performance, but the girl stops to give the homeless fellow her two mites and invite him to the play. Shortly thereafter, the performance is proceeding, and the girl steps onto the stage to recite her single line. She has spent much time memorizing it, but for some reason she cannot bring herself to say it. Then, the doors behind the congregation open, and in walks the poor man. Looking over the finely dressed audience, the girl knows it is time to deliver her line. "Behold! I bring you good tidings of great joy!"

I imagine it was not the author's intention to write anything more than a touching children's tale. Beyond this, I took a few other ideas away from this story. For one, it is an excellent demonstration of why the Lord said, "Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 19:14). Furthermore, I believe the book constitutes a sad commentary on the state of the modern church. So many people in America profess to be followers of Christ, but how many of us are proclaiming the good tidings of great joy? Quoting Isaiah, Jesus said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord." (Luke 4:18-19).

Now I pose a question: is today's church renowned for preaching the gospel to the poor and helping the needy? Or does she spend more time and resources entertaining its members? I recall a time when I visited a contemporary church because a conference on creationism was being held there. As I was waiting for things to get started, I surveyed the host of props on the church stage to go along with the exciting sermon series the pastor was engaged in. Unknown to me, one of the scheduled sessions included a typical time of "worship" for this church. The lights went down, and the performers took their places on the stage. This was followed by what I would describe as a "Christian rock concert," complete with cheering fans and special effects such as a fog machine. My young daughter afterwards referred to it as "the show church." Out of the mouth of babes... Spiritual pageantry at its most sophisticated. Why feel burdened for lost souls or physical suffering when church is so positive and enjoyable? The mother in the story did not stop to think, it would seem, whether or not God would be pleased to see her snub a poor man in favor of a pageant depicting the birth of Him Who said, "...in as much as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me." (Matthew 25:45). Are we likewise guilty of being "...lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof" (2 Timothy 3:4-5)?

As the church in general becomes more engaged in spiritual pageantry, she seems to be less and less relevant to much of American society. Is perhaps a reason that the American church's salt is losing her savor is because she has fallen into the same trap as the church at Ephesus? Has she left her first love (Revelation 2:4)? The Anabaptist preacher, Menno Simons, wrote:

For true evangelical faith is of such a nature that it cannot lay dormant; but manifests itself in all righteousness and works of love; it dies unto flesh and blood; destroys all forbidden lusts and desires; cordially seeks, serves and fears God; clothes the naked; feeds the hungry; consoles the afflicted; shelters the miserable; aids and consoles all the oppressed; returns good for evil; serves those that injure it; prays for those that persecute it; teaches, admonishes and reproves with the Word of the Lord; seeks that which is lost; binds up that which is wounded; heals that which is diseased and saves that which is sound.
-Complete Works, p. 246 (pub. by John F. Funk & Brother, 1871)

There is quite a contrast between this description and the common "evangelical" faith in America. I aspire to the ideal described above, although I confess I fall short in many ways.  We can so easily become absorbed with things of fleeting existence, at the expense of matters with eternal consequences. "And these are they which are sown among thorns: such as hear the word, and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful." (Mark 4:18-19). Kingdom work often takes a back seat to entertaining or otherwise satisfying the flesh. We dare not become too comfortable and hence complacent. After all, Jesus told us to strive to enter at the strait gate (Luke 13:24).

There are so many "harmless" distractions for the Christian. I am not trying to point fingers at other people; I can certainly be affected by some of these diversions. All of us have weaknesses we must be vigilant to avoid. We can accumulate wealth in bank accounts or expensive properties instead of donating to help needy families. We can sit passively in front of a television instead of teaching our children the Word of God. We can go to an ear-splitting "praise and worship" session and have a group emotional experience instead of participating in a thoughtful Bible discussion with other believers. We can spend hours at a football stadium (literally or through a TV screen) on Sunday instead of visiting the widows and the fatherless. We can promote political agendas such as outlawing abortion instead of sharing the Gospel of the Kingdom of God with the poor women considering such an act, not to mention offering to adopt the babies or otherwise providing assistance. We can spend more time on looking sharp for Sunday morning than praying for the advance of the Kingdom.

The list could go on and on. We are concerned in having our theology just right, but that doesn't automatically make us like Christ. The Ephesian church was not rebuked for any theological problems, but rather for a deficiency in her works. Jesus said, "And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:27). The modern American church has largely become anemic, I think, because many of us have drifted from our first love. Despite what we say about serving Christ, our actions can tell another tale with our patriotism, our withholding our hands from the poor, or the spiritual pageantry that constitutes "church" for many. Do any of these characteristics describe Jesus? Furthermore, these inconsistencies have not escaped the world's notice.  The more the church becomes involved in worldly pursuits, the more anemic she is, and the the more society can brush her aside as unimportant. Why should the lost bother to flee the world for a church that acts the same way?

Christ's admonition to the Ephesian church reveals the solution to this problem and the consequences for ignoring it. "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works, or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent." (Revelation 2:5). But God is merciful and long-suffering, and He gives many chances to repent. It is my plea that we do not waste these chances. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:10).

The Economics of Christ

In the United States, the more conservative elements of society tend to be much stronger proponents of capitalism with minimal restrictions imposed on free enterprise as compared to the more liberal elements. Also, there is a large overlap between these economic conservatives and conservative Christians in this country. Many Christians in the U.S. even seem to directly tie capitalism to their Christianity, while other economic systems like socialism are seen as inherently ungodly. Was Jesus a capitalist, a socialist, or something else entirely? If we desire to follow Christ, this is an important question to consider.

Fortunately, I do not think Jesus was vague on the issue of economics, and neither were His apostles. Before we go to the Bible though, let us consider for a moment what the implications of a capitalist mindset entail. The point of capitalism is the accumulation of wealth and/or possessions. The harder you work, the more money you are entitled to receive, to do with as you wish. The more wealth you can accumulate, the better off you are. If other folks are poor, they are probably just lazy and need to work harder. Giving them financial assistance will just make them into mooches. I understand these are generalizations, but I have encountered similar sentiments many times, especially from socially conservative Christians.

"God helps those who help themselves." Did Jesus say that? Absolutely not. That statement is nowhere found in the Scriptures. (I think it was Martin Luther who said that, actually.) However, the Lord did discuss financial concerns frequently. Let's look at what He taught briefly.

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
(Mat 6:21)

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
(Mat 6:24)

And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
(Luke 6:20)

Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
(John 6:27)

These are just a handful of examples, but I think they summarize the views of Christ on the matter. They also seem to be forthright statements that do not require a lot of interpretation. Jesus opposed the storing of wealth, even if it was earned honestly, while calling the poor blessed. I am not suggesting that Jesus encouraged laziness. On the other hand, I also do not think He was in favor of putting the majority of your time and effort into making as much money as possible for your own use, which is the capitalist way. When the widow gave her last two mites, Jesus commended her sacrifice (Luke 21:1-4), although it was unwise from a capitalist standpoint. When the five thousand that had been listening to Jesus teach were hungry, the apostles wanted to send them away. Did Jesus suggest that they should go find work and not expect handouts? Hardly. He fed them.  

Am I suggesting that Jesus was a socialist? Let's think about this. Some of the principles Jesus taught have parallels in socialism, but what about the methods? In theory, socialism involves the redistribution of wealth by the government for the purposes of economic equality. Both capitalism and socialism have political components. By contrast, Jesus was completely apolitical. He went everywhere preaching about the kingdom of God and stayed out of earthly political affairs.  For example, after Jesus fed the five thousand, the crowds wanted to grab Him and make Him a king, but Jesus wanted no part of it (John 6:15). Rather than advocating a particular political or economic system, Christ was interested in influencing the hearts of His followers. Jesus never forced anyone to do things His way. So, how did the earliest Christians work out His teachings on economics?

And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
(Acts 2:44-45)

Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
(Acts 4:34-37)

So, the first Christians in Jerusalem practiced a community of goods. Jesus did not specifically command this sort of communalism, but I believe it was consistent with what He taught. I suppose this could be called voluntary or Christian socialism. Its successfulness, I believe, was due to the common cause of its adherents. I do not believe socialism is effective when it is imposed on large groups of people who are not committed to helping each other. I think the reason that capitalism has prevailed over socialism in most of the world is because the former utilizes the inherent covetousness typical in unregenerate humanity. In any case, not all of the believers in Acts made exactly the same application. When the Christians in Antioch sent aid to believers in Judea, the Bible indicates that each man individually decided how much to send (Acts 11:29). As such, the community in Antioch must not have been holding all things common. But, like in the church in Jerusalem, the principle of providing assistance for those in need was upheld. At this point, I would like to address the idea I have heard proposed that these community applications were temporary emergency measures due to the dire situation that the early church found itself in. Many of the epistles speak to this issue.

For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
(2Co 8:13-15)

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work... For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
(2Co 9:7-8, 12-14)

It seems clear that an important goal of the New Testament church was to provide for economic equality as much as possible, even if that required personal sacrifice. The early Christians were typically quite poor. I have read of a practice in the primitive church where food for the hungry was provided by fasting on the part of the believers. This equality was to be secured by giving that was voluntary, not a forced redistribution of wealth. Paul even suggests that supplying the needs of the saints constitutes evidence the church is obeying the gospel of Christ.

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
(Eph 4:28)

But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
(Php 4:10-12)

And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
(1Ti 6:8-10)

Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
(Jas 2:5)

The Bible does not promise that Christians will be better off economically than others. They are to be satisfied with the fulfillment of their basic needs (Matthew 6:31-33). Extra wealth can easily be the downfall of a Christian, and by contrast the poor inherit the kingdom. If we somehow obtain a surplus of funds, I believe that the purpose for this surplus is to help others who are needy, and this is to be done out of love and not compulsion. In his farewell message to the Ephesian elders, I think Paul sums up nicely the economics of Christ.

I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
(Acts 20:35)

The Christian and Sports

Picture a scenario with me, about a man devoted to his religion. An essential component of his religion is a period of worship that takes place on Sunday. Much of the man's week is centered on the upcoming worship. He spends much time discussing the focal point of his worship with friends, family, or even complete strangers. The man takes special care that his obligations are taken care of by Saturday evening so as not to interfere with the day of worship. After much anticipation, the day arrives. Long before the service commences, the man begins his preparations. The man may need to prepare food to enjoy in fellowship with other faithful worshipers as they await the beginning of worship. He arrives at the house of worship hours early for such brotherhood as well as to consecrate himself to render unreserved adoration to the focus of his worship. Finally the worship service starts, and for the new few hours the man's attention is completely absorbed with his devotion to his religion. No boredom here. In fact, the man could be described as a religious fanatic. The service ends, and the man departs the house of worship with his fellow believers. The man's worship experience engages his mind long after returning home, and he shares about it freely with others. Soon, the anticipation for next Sunday's worship begins to build.

In the above scenario, the object of the man's worship I was discussing was not God. It was football. I speak these things from personal experience, and they lead me to consider a question. What role should sports play in the life of a Christian? Now, there is nothing inherently wrong with sports. Problems arise, however, when folks start putting way too much emphasis on the simple act of a watching grown men play a game. The word "fan" to describe a devotee of sports comes from fanatic. Does such fanaticism help us seek first the kingdom of God?

My upbringing makes me very informed on this subject. As long as I can remember, my parents have been enthusiastic followers of professional baseball. Like them, I spent years devoting an incredible amount of time either watching baseball, reading about baseball, idolizing certain baseball players, and so forth. Yet, for all this baseball enthusiasm, I never once actually played baseball. Without doubt, I spent a lot more time in a given week thinking about baseball than about God. I could have told you the entire starting lineup of "my team," but I would have been clueless if you had asked me to name just one of the tribes of Israel. Based on the tens of thousands of people who typically attend a single major league baseball game, I was not alone in my devotion.

The trend only continued when I started college. At my university, football was king. On game day, the whole city came to a stand still, with almost all eyes focused on the stadium. I attended several of these games, and over time the behavior I witnessed both in the stands and outside of the stadium became increasingly alarming. For one thing, it was typical to scream insults and obscenities at not just the opposing team, but the opposing team's fans, the officials, or anyone else who provided a tempting target. In Ephesians 4:31-32, God's Word says, "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice; and be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

During games like these that I have described, with attendance figures of 80,000 thousand fans, many of the spectators can get whipped into an emotional frenzy that often results in real hatred of the other team and its fans. Folks watching the games on television can of course be caught in this unloving spirit as well. In some cases, these feelings will subside after the game's conclusion, but I know first-hand that this is not always the case. Teams with long-standing rivalries will have die-hard fans who can, in extreme instances, become violent towards one another. At the least, there is a lot of simmering bitterness, which makes it rather difficult to show the love of Christ. "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?" (1 John 4:20).

Beyond the wrathful feelings generated by the veneration of sports, there is the utter waste of money. You are not a real fan if you do not buy your team's clothing, memorabilia, autographs, athletic equipment, trading cards... The list goes on. Then there is the money spent on the games themselves. The ticket to one football game during my college days cost approximately thirty dollars, and that does not include parking. The biggest sports fans with money to burn buy season tickets, so they can have the chance to go to every single one of their team's home games for an entire year. Such season tickets can feature price tags of thousands of dollars per person. Why do they cost so much?  Professional athletes being paid salaries of millions of dollars to play a game is a significant reason. All these resources are wasted on athletic entertainment when they could have been used for the work of the kingdom of God. How many people groups have never heard the Gospel? Or what about the worldwide tragedy of child starvation? The United States is the richest nation in the world, and a large percentage of the population professes to be Christian. Do we spend more money on helping those in need or on our sports? "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:21).

Not only is the work of the kingdom neglected financially, it is also short-changed the gift of time. A typical professional baseball game lasts for three hours. In an entire season, each team plays approximately 80 home games. When you do the math, this means a season ticket holder could spend theoretically ten entire days doing nothing but watch millionaires throw a baseball around a field. When I was in college, I usually went to church meeting on Sunday evening. Because college students do not like to get up early, the service was typically crowded. However, on Super Bowl Sunday, the attendance would be drastically lower, so much that the minister would comment on it. The loyalty to football superseded the loyalty to the church. Why will some people spend so much time on sports while struggling to find time for Christian responsibilities? I believe the answer is that devotion to sports can be a surrogate religion for many, providing (temporary) fulfillment and purpose apart from God. It is of course one of Satan's goals to distract people from their need of a whole-hearted, obedient relationship with Christ, and he employs many deceptions to achieve this end. Is it possible that he who is transformed into an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14) can use something "harmless" like sports for this purpose?

I am largely able to avoid exposure to the permeation of our culture by sports since I do not watch television or follow the news. However, I still receive catalogs in the mail selling all sorts of items. In one of these catalogs, there was a shirt printed with the message, "Anyone who says money can't buy happiness never had season tickets." The product description elaborates on the "ecstasy of having season tickets to your favorite team."  This is the spirit of the world. It would be wise for Christians to heed the warning of the Apostle John.

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
(1 John 2:15-17)

The Most High Ruleth in the Kingdoms of Men

In the days of King Hezekiah, Judah was invaded by Sennacherib, king of Assyria. Sennacherib blasphemed the Lord to the people of Jerusalem through his servants, saying that the God of Israel could not save them any more than the gods of the other nations conquered by Assyria. However, Hezekiah bolstered the people with these words: "Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: with him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah." (2 Chronicles 32:7-8.) Consequently, the Lord promised that Sennacherib would not shoot a single arrow against Jerusalem. The angel of the Lord destroyed the host of Assyria, and later the king was killed by his own sons in the house of his god.

This is a marvelous example of God's deliverance to those who trust in the everlasting arms instead of the arm of flesh. I also believe it is a challenge to us as Christians. We can be tempted to trust the arm of flesh many ways in our daily lives. Regarding this, an area that has caused me to ponder is Christian involvement in politics. Does it glorify God for Christians to be politically active? It is my goal to answer this question in the light of God's word.

I believe consideration of this issue should begin with a foundational point of Christ's teachings: the two kingdom idea. The Gospels are full of the words of Jesus regarding the opposing natures of the kingdom of God and the kingdom of the world. Christians have been delivered from the world to the kingdom of the Son (Colossians 1:13), so you cannot be in both kingdoms. The methods by which members of each kingdom operate are diametrically opposed. Under Pilate's questioning, "Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence." (John 18:36.) I am unaware of any scriptural examples of Christ or one of his followers attempting to influence the course of the Roman government, much less taking part in it. Jesus eschewed all earthly power, whether offered by Satan (Luke 4:5-7) or the people around him. After feeding the five thousand, the crowd wanted to seize Jesus and make him a king, but Jesus fled from them (John 6:15).

We should not lose track of the concept of God's total sovereignty. All men have free will, but God has made it clear in His word that the course of the nations of the world are ultimately under His authority. One of the clearest examples of this principle is located in the fourth chapter of Daniel. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had a vision in a dream warning him of his future chastisement for pride. The king's understanding was taken from him for his boast that he had personally built the kingdom of Babylon. Considering verse 17 reveals God's purpose: "This matter is by decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men." This verse is rich with meaning regarding the relation of the Christian to politics. I have lost track of how many times I have heard the plea that Christians should vote individuals with godlier principles into office. Assuming you could find a politician who fits this description, you still would not know if this person is God's choice. He may have a reason for bringing a wicked man to power. Consider the pharaoh who contended with Moses. The Lord revealed that He specifically raised up the pharaoh in order to demonstrate His power (Exodus 9:16). As a final point in consideration of God's sovereignty, think about Christ's response to Pilate's interrogation in John 19:11: "Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin."

However, you may ask, "Why couldn't it be God's will to bring a Christian to political office for His glory?" After all, Paul said in Romans 13 that the higher powers are ordained of God, even calling them God's ministers. An important question to answer. The words translated as "minister(s)" in this passage have the basic meaning of "servant." Now, let's turn to the book of Jeremiah briefly to observe someone else the Almighty calls His servant. "Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar, my servant, and will bring them against this land..." (Jeremiah 25:9.) The political authorities are "God's ministers" insomuch as they are executing the function God delegated for earthly government--whether they realize it or not.

I contend that a Christian could not hold political office without violating Biblical principles. Jesus has commanded His disciples not to take the sword (e.g., Matthew 26:52), but the government cannot keep order in society without using the sword. The political process involves fighting with your opponents to force your party's agenda. Whether in elections or while in office, politicians typically strive to make their rivals look bad while boosting their own images. How different from how Christians should behave! "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves." (Philippians 2:3.)

Perhaps you will say, "I could not be a politician myself, but there is nothing wrong with voting for them." When you cast a vote for a political candidate, you are endorsing his behavior and all of his political views. The teachings of Christ call for His disciples to be non-resistant (see Matthew 5:38-48). However, we cannot seriously say we are non-resistant while voting for the commander-in-chief of the army, which is one of the president's duties. Christians have been denied conscientious objector status in the past for this reason. Neither major party in the United States has a platform consistent with the words of Christ. Democrats are more likely to help the poor, but they support the murder of unborn babies. Republicans oppose abortion but support wars that bring untold death and destruction to other countries. A Christian who casts his lot with either side is making a compromise with ungodliness.

Here is the bottom line: if Christians try to reform society by political activism, they are trusting in the arm of flesh. Christ told us to seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33), so we need to keep our priorities straight. If we are not careful, we can end up like Pharisees. "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, clease first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also." (Mattew 23:25-26.) Does it make sense make sense to say we do not believe in having rigid church rules because it is legalistic, but then we campaign and vote for a law that imposes Christian morality on the masses? No law ever changed a person's heart, but the power of the Gospel can transform a sinner from the inside out. If Christians agitate for laws against abortion or homosexual marriage (to name a few hot examples), all we are trying to do is wash the outside of the cup. "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:3-5.) Followers of Christ wage war against the god of this world with the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. We do not use the earthly sword of coercion, nor do we convince the state to use it on our behalf. As Jesus prayed to the Father, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." (John 17:17.)

If you still need convincing that Christians and politics should not mix, just look at election campaigns. I have already mentioned how rivals will smear each other's reputation. Also, so much time and money is wasted. God knows how many millions of dollars are frittered away in an attempt to get as many votes as possible. With the resources and time Christians spend on these campaigns, how many unreached peoples could be evangelized or poor people fed? The whole election process is a distraction from the work of God. When I was personally grappling with the issue of whether Christians shold be involved in politics, I moved to another county and had to fill out a new voter registration form. One of the requirements on that form was a loyalty oath to uphold the Constitution and laws of the United States. On one hand, there was an option to "affirm" instead of "swear" for those who have a conscience against swearing oaths (see Matthew 5:33-37). On the other hand, I could not even affirm this statement. If the Constitution and laws of the United States at any point violate the Scriptures, I cannot obey them. "Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men." (Acts 5:29.) The Bible instructs us to pray for our rulers (1 Timothy 2:2), not to get caught up in the ungodly frenzy of choosing them.

It is true that government officials may be elected or laws be enacted that interfere with the free exercise of the Christian faith. In that case, take heed of Paul's advice to his son in the faith: "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier." (2 Timothy 2:3-4.) And do not forget this either: "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." (2 Timothy 3:12.) The world, and possibly other Christians, will try valiantly to convince you that it is every citizen's duty to participate in the political process. However, "the wisdom of the world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness." (1 Corinthians 3:19.) Thus, let us as followers of Christ remain steadfast in the simplicity of the Gospel and advance only His kingdom until He comes!