Thoughts on life, love and faith by Plasticmind.

25 October 20061. dramaturge:

So I haven't had long to think about this post much; therefore, I won't opine--but I do have a relevant thought-provoking question: in the case of a Christian individual weilding government power, is it truly loving your neighbor (i.e. citizens) to allow them to be victimized by outside or inside forces? If a Christian politico "turns the other cheek," so to speak, in legislation, etc., thus allowing oppression or whatever, is he fulliling his duty to love his neighbor as himself? Or is true love in this case intrinsically bound to just actions--even actions that necessitate killing? (killing being distinct from murder)

25 October 20062. crystal:

I want my leaders to protect me just as I wanted my dad and now my husband to protect me. I hope I have the guts to shoot anyone who enters my home uninvited, especially if I have children in my care (I am Tim's wife, after all). I also hope I vote for people that will protect me even if that involves killing.

Under what circumstance would the government ask us to kill someone else?

26 October 20064. Peggy Look:

Hi Jesse, A thought provoking article. I don't have answers, just more questions. As I've been listening to all the negative political adds lately, I'm getting discouraged about voting. I believe it is my christian duty to vote, but feel like I have little choice. I cannot vote for the liberals who sanction the killing of unborn babies. So do I vote for what I see as the lesser of evils?

26 October 20065. Jason Phillips:

Your article is challenging. Permit me some grace as I think through this on paper with you. Surely, your suggestion is not that we just stand there, full of idle trust and faith holding steadfast to the premise that we turn the other cheek and love the enemy, while the enemy systematically destroys us. My understanding is that turning the other cheek is not synonomous with being a door mat for the enemy to walk all over. That is like saying that you are not going to save for retirement because you are trusting God provide. That would simply be irresponsible stewardship of the brains God has gifted you. I would never suggest to you that God NEVER desires our blind trust and God will indeed never forget you, but does God abundantly bless idle, irresponsible hands? In plain words, God gave us gifts, talents, and brains-USE 'EM!

One reason for the existence of our government, which I believe is an institution ordained by our Creator, is for the purpose of protection from enemies, foreign and domestic. Theoretically, in a free society, domestic and international protection comes by way of laws imposed for the sake of keeping freedom alive. The makers of our Constitution believed freedom, not tyranny, terrorism, and oppression, to be the highest priority for mankind, God's most treasured possesion. Perhaps the question should be, "When do we STOP fighting for God's highest priority for His beloved creation?"

Really enjoyed the post.

26 October 20066. Ronald Golden:

Break into my home and I will do everything I can to lead your funeral party to saving knowledge of our Lord by loving them and sharing the gospel with them. Slap me and I will turn the other cheek but if you draw back I will knock your head off. If you do not provide for your family (and that includes protection) you are worst than an infidel. Love, Peace, Church

27 October 20068. Jason Phillips:

Ok. Perhaps everyone has moved on, but me. I am still thinking about this. This is a blog forum. Let's blog for Pete's sake! I mentioned in my last comment that the framers of our Constitution believed freedom to be God's high priority for His most treasured possession. That is easy to say, but is that true? Is freedom God's high priority for mankind?

When God created Adam and Eve, He created them to be in perfect, unhindered relationship with Him. Life was perfect knowing the heart of God and having His full attention with unfettered access to the throne. All of the things of earth were to be subservient to man, for His sustenence, and pleasure. Inside Adam was the King alive and active. On the outside was a multitude of gifts from the King for man to use and enjoy. That is real freedom. In fact, that is perfect freedom, an unencumbered life in perfect fellowship with the Creator.

God gave them one rule because He did not make us as robots void of choices. He knew that a perfect love-relationship, another high priority of God, had to involve freedom to choose. (I refuse to let the political Left hijack that phrase, by the way). Man chose.

And as a result, we all became slaves to the tyranny of a dictator called sin. Sin has put all of mankind in terrible bondage. We are indeed slaves to the bondage of sin...a condition no man can escape alone. But God loved.

God knew our condition was one of enslavement and oppression. He also loved us and designed us not to live with that as our ultimate destiny. So He did the unbelievable. He began a spiritual war with the powers of the Enemy who controlled the chains with which we are bound and tied. He hated our condition. He showed mercy, grace, and compassion and He did it all to the point of death to give back to man what sin had taken away. Only upon His death was the war won.

Has God made freedom a high priority? You bet. He died to break us out of chains and re-connect us with Himself to be free and live abundantly. Today, Christians live free because Christ died. Freedom was a high priority.

For those of you who are thinking right now that God's highest priority was His own glory, let me say, "I agree!" Which man reflects the glory of God more perfectly? A man captivated by sin or the man who has been gifted with the freedom to live and worship the One who saved him from an otherwise inescapable death?

So again I ask, "At what point do we STOP fighting to protect what God died to give back to us?"

Thank you, Jesse, for allowing me the privilege to write.

31 October 200610. dave:

I agree Jesse, this reminds me of our debate about the difference between democracy and theocracy.

20 May 200711. Nick:

I know this conversation has been over for a long time, but I just wanted to dispute the importance of freedom.

I would argue that the scriptures don't indicate our freedom being most important to God. I would say God's glory is first and then love. The bible says it is for freedom he has set us free, but it also says we ought to be slaves to Christ (Eph 6:6). Just like the greatest thing a parent can give their child is not freedom but rather love, the greatest thing that God gives us is not freedom but love.

It is love that lets us have a relationship with God through the death of his Son and it is love (and a desire for his own glory) that led God to send his Son to die and be resurrected.