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In my opinion, the primary task and focus of the preaching ministry is (or should be) spreading the gospel message, and bringing people to faith in Christ, which will have implications not just for this life and world (through the actions of believers putting their faith into practice on an individual, private (Matthew 6:1-4), personal basis), but for eternity, after all present political institutions have ceased. The injection of partisan politics into this process -- while it may be a valid expression of freedoms enjoyed in this particular society -- dilutes this focus, and limits and detracts from the universal scope of the Christian mission by tying it to the conditions existing in a particular place, time, or political environment in this world. Jesus Himself avoided the efforts of those who deceitfully tried to draw Him into taking a political position, and made a distinction between the spiritual and the secular (Matthew 22:15-22; Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:20-26).
In my humble opinion while in agreement with brother Tim Maas' basic thoughts on this important matter, I then consider the realty of this world and truth be told that it is only the moral that will limit their tongues. Thus creating yet another thought void within the public square of ideas, which of course will be filled by those with no moral restraints, to preach their master's will, ah that's too judgmental some would be quick to say. Okay then lets look to history or to that which came before you were born maybe. All modern concepts have a birth that comes from somewhere in times past, some from the sands of antiquity while others within the past century or even less which is the case here, friend. What caused some men of the cloth to stop speaking freely from their pulpits about things that truly matter, like character, or has it always been this way? (Isaiah 1:18) Why it was MONEY or the threat of its loss in the form of a cyclical overnment coercion as put forth in the 1954 Johnson Amendment of the U.S. tax code that prohibits all 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations from endorsing or opposing political candidates. Section 501(c)(3) organizations are the most common type of nonprofit organization in the United States, ranging from charitable foundations to universities and CHURCHES. The amendment is named for then Democratic Senator Lyndon Baines Johnson of Texas who later became 36th President. (Proverbs 26:11) This simple concept has expanded over the years to include the total duct-taping of any moral ideas, as do all leftist concepts. An example would be the benign verbiage of the old first trimester abortion into the current abortion concept of today with its murdering the young after their birth. (Luke 8:18) Bottom Line: Preachers would preach with the fire of God giving their flocks exactly what God had given them with the bark on and no thoughts for the missing coinage from the offended. His mission was to bring Jesus to a fallen world by changing the hearts of a corrupt people and maybe there by saving their souls. (Luke 9:25) Later Democrat Lyndon Baines Johnson was locked in a very tough election fight, in part because many black preachers in Texas were exposing Johnson for what they knew him to be and thus urging support for his opponent. After winning election to the Senate he did what amoral politicians do best, that is use government coercion to silence those speaking the truth. (Habakkuk 1:4; 1 Samuel 8:3) But was he not the great champion of "Civil Rights Act Of 1964"? Truth is this same act was put forth by the Republicans in the 1950's and defeated both times by Democrats. 1964 an election year to increase their power base they created "The Great Society" in reality a return to a new intercity plantation system with programs for the obedient. (Hosea 5:4; John 7:24) Political Environments: Evil, Wicked, Mean and Nasty: YES that's correct and the bottom line is simply this: that vile landscape will be occupied by either moral or amoral humans, whose laws you will be forced to obey. And every evil that transpires there will affect everyone in ways unknown or cared about by the amoral who wield the limitless power of a nation. So all good pious folks should just stand clear of all the civil areas we your amoral betters deem unclean for your presence such as voting etc. And surprisingly many do just as they're told; please note that truth is not a left wing value friend. (Mark 10:42; Mark 10:43; Luke 16:8; 2 Corinthians 10:5; 2 Corinthians 11:4) Neighborhood and Neighbors: A nameless good Samaritan willing to get his hands dirty, crossed the road one might say from his comfort zone to help a nameless stranger who was in need. While the heavenly minded professionally pious simply could not be bothered with such worldly matters, after all they were traveling to do their Lord's work. (Luke 10:30-37; Luke 16:9) In The Lord's Freedom Always...........warrior on
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