tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post1740506966882893577..comments2023-10-21T04:32:31.262-05:00Comments on Following Judah's Lion: Nationalism, Patriotism, and PoliticsRick Fruehhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05879848568892457571noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-13643928165783057662013-02-14T23:07:53.775-05:002013-02-14T23:07:53.775-05:00Finally getting over here to read this one.. .look...Finally getting over here to read this one.. .looks like just about a year ago you wrote this - before I saw your blog through facebook friends. Getting ready to write a very similar post too. I really can't believe what I used to think was complimentary to my faith in Christ. Really sickens me now. But several years ago I found that question rolling around in my mind about our revolution.. on what basis was it valid? "Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft... " except for the Revolution. hmmm. Not sure that flies. And yes, it treasonous and blasphemous to suggest, but it seems pretty obvious to me now.<br />8thday4life... (won't let me use the blog ID... user error I'm sure.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-28823952072166225162012-09-21T03:15:51.686-05:002012-09-21T03:15:51.686-05:00Hi Rick... I thought I'd share this picture &a...Hi Rick... I thought I'd share this picture & verse with you about these things: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=414482085278609" rel="nofollow">http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=414482085278609</a>Ramonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03694246018677395516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-89220172728013278732012-05-08T17:16:52.924-05:002012-05-08T17:16:52.924-05:00The Constitutionj is a fallen document. Please pro...The Constitutionj is a fallen document. Please provide me with Scriptural evidence where violence is allowed to combat higher taxes.<br /><br />As a believer, taking an oath to protect the Constitutaion is idolatry. Violence is the world's way to achieve something.Rick Fruehhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05879848568892457571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-1460157032264691052012-05-08T11:52:08.393-05:002012-05-08T11:52:08.393-05:00Rick,
Could you explain what you mean by “God us...Rick,<br /><br />Could you explain what you mean by “God used the creation of America even though the revolutionary War was not His direct will.” I rather believe that God set up America for Christianity much like he did Israel for the Jews. The people were being oppressed treated unfairly, and that is against <br />God’s law.<br /><br />Why was WWII fought? Lets look at it different then our History book. Without WWII the nation of Israel would not be a nation now. What if one of the reasons for America was to protect Israel, not that God needs anyone to protect Israel. What if another was for the Christian body, with their resources, was to reach out around the world with the message of Jesus Christ? We are a nation founded on Biblical principles with inalienable rights from God. Anyone that is saved is in a covenant with the God. That covenant includes to “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.” Psalm 82:3. A look at Proverbs 14:31 reinforces our responsibility, “Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.” We should be against violence, but that does not mean we are not to defend ourselves and others who are not capable to. <br /><br />As a retired Air Force member I took an oath to protect the Constitution of the United States against foreign and domestic enemies, so help me God. That includes our government. If we the people were not asleep at the wheel our government would not be in the shape it is in. Our story is no different then Israel’s. The people turned from God and unfortunately when it rains both the just and unjust get wet. We are a nation that claims to be 75-80% percent Christian. I think about 65- 70% will be in for a surprise when God separates the sheep to His left and right. What will some of the people that left comments say when God asks, “Why did you kill babies, and why did you allow Homosexuality?” And they will reply, “We never had an abortion or did any gay acts.” God will reply, you did not vote for men that were against Abortion or Gay rights. Remember you are with God or against Him. If you do not take a stand then you are against. Yes the other politician might be just as corrupt but as long as he believes that abortion and Homosexuality is wrong you need to vote for them. You are in a covenant with God. If you break that covenant God does not need to honor it. You are saved by faith, but that faith is more then believing Jesus died for your sins. That faith means to believe in the word of God, all of it, not just the parts that meet your needs, because this is not about you.<br /><br />It is our responsibilities to conform to civil laws as it was God that set it up. At the same time when those laws are in conflict with Gods law, we are to follow Gods law. Because we have failed to make a stand I believe that a tee shirt saying, “Homosexuality is a sin” will soon be hate speech, but we of little faith will not make a stand. <br /><br />Steve<br />Woodstock, GAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-19779681291211073462012-04-08T19:57:51.108-05:002012-04-08T19:57:51.108-05:00"to lay down the values of Judeo Christianity..."to lay down the values of Judeo Christianity in order to keep the nation Christian"<br /><br />Your premise is faulty. America is pagan.Rick Fruehhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05879848568892457571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-84592778071649181212012-04-08T19:40:49.965-05:002012-04-08T19:40:49.965-05:00Hi Rick it may be a bit late to post this comment ...Hi Rick it may be a bit late to post this comment and so many you wonderif they everget read. On the question of politics my senior pastor is running for politics. At first I did not agree with it. However I believe that unquestionalbly the church should involve itself in politics. Not in the sense of running for it but churches should give guide lines for voting. Not based on party stuff but examining the values that parties vote for. We live in a Democratic society not a monarchy which we can do nothing about nor a theocracy whic we also have no influence over but democracy. That means we have a certain amount of control over who runs the country and we can use ourvote under the direction of the Holy Spirit and base it on party values. Politics in church do mix and should./ we should know what we are doing and we should ecourage Christians to stand for parliament. We have a God given opportunity to be involved at the top level of control in the nation to lay down the values of Judeo Christianity in order to keep the nation Christian and we dont do it. I believe that if we had taken those opportunities much earlier we would not be now in the mess we are in now. With abortion, homosexuality, gay marriage and many other things. God bless and thanks for your thoughts Jenny Jack.Jenny Jacknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-30274623999701992682012-04-07T12:45:04.100-05:002012-04-07T12:45:04.100-05:00That God "sets up and takes down" govern...That God "sets up and takes down" governemnts directly is an overreach. Sovereignty never means complete direction of everything, but it means everything is woven into the fabric of God's overarching plan.<br /><br />God used the creation of America even though the revolutionary War was not His direct will. There is of course a mystery to all of this, but God will not violate His principles in order to force His will.<br /><br />But God has eschewed violence in the gospel age, however when Christ returns He will bring violent judgment upon the whole earth. But until then, the teachings of the Master are our mandate.Rick Fruehhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05879848568892457571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-70287321087789489992012-04-07T10:22:35.511-05:002012-04-07T10:22:35.511-05:00Hey Rick
I agree that our allegiance should be to...Hey Rick<br /><br />I agree that our allegiance should be to God alone through Christ. And I would also agree that there is no scripture that condones going to war to change things i.e. the revolutionary war.<br /><br />But since God is the one who sets up and takes down governments then it was His will that revolutionary war turned out the way it did. <br /><br />Also, does that mean that America should not have gotten involved in the WWI or WWII?<br /><br />Just asking.R. Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11346726962624672639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-10506914307385049452012-04-03T21:10:40.606-05:002012-04-03T21:10:40.606-05:00Yes, the fallen Angel topic is so so deep. We spe...Yes, the fallen Angel topic is so so deep. We special chosen ones are still honoring Columbus for murdering the innocent and never landing on the Americas. How do you explain such madness. ??? I want a paid holiday. <br />Oh and we chosen ones will for sure be raptured while the world is burning and African babys die in Horrific vortex of murders , Aids and torment . I'm so special. <br />Lord have mercy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-88239196331004658972012-04-03T20:49:42.688-05:002012-04-03T20:49:42.688-05:00I opened a book years ago, The Lord said, " y...I opened a book years ago, The Lord said, " you ask me for grace, and grace you shall have. Grace shows your present disception. That is any thing you do not understand as I do. Knowing your present disception brings humility". <br />" who is so blind as my servant". <br /><br />Yes zeal is good. We need zeal for God rapped up in love........ And the thoughts of God. <br /><br />PR in mnAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-48235549788884718572012-04-03T09:32:20.130-05:002012-04-03T09:32:20.130-05:00We live in pluarlistic, hedonistic Babylon. But yo...We live in pluarlistic, hedonistic Babylon. But you have completely missed the point. But that's OK.Rick Fruehhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05879848568892457571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-78193620501580391272012-04-03T09:13:15.391-05:002012-04-03T09:13:15.391-05:00I am referring to your belief that there is no pos...I am referring to your belief that there is no possibility of there being a God-filled physical government. That's the point of homosexuals and liberals, of atheists and satanists. I believe that there is a Christian nation, both physical and spiritual and I wonder at you not seeing the physical application! Do you not see that you are an 'unholy' alliance of the physical body and the spirit inside of you? (by your own logic)<br /><br />If China is the fastest growing church, are you advocating that we live in their government style? Are you saying that their government is more sanctioned by God because His Church thrives under their misuse? Why aren't you living in China then, if you feel so strongly about it?<br /><br />I agree with you about Democracy, absolutely! That's why it's such a great thing that America is NOT a Democracy but a Republic. If you don't know the benefit and the inherent fabric of America, I would encourage you to read more about our history.<br /><br />If you are so willing to throw away what we do have because you see spiritual laziness in our churches, are you really willing to say that we should have the government that China has? That makes it almost seem like it is the government who has the power to influence the Church. And I honestly don't think that you mean to say that, but can you see where your thinking can get you trapped?<br /><br />American churches by and large ARE lazy, but that doesn't mean that the solution is one of the most evil governments out there! They are so oppressed and so afraid for their lives and for their families that they are pressed into a very real experience of God Himself, very true. The Lord is strongly with them, that too is true. But why throw away what we have here? Why not continue to reform it, to help the Christians wake up and see what they have here and to continue to fight for what is good.<br /><br />It's almost as though you agree with the Israelites who allowed themselves to be taken into exile to Babylon! They had become complacent. It's as though you are saying that they were better under the pressure and torment they received in Babylon, so Babylon is the better place! So much so, that Israel before Babylon is nothing to be compared to the beauty of the rigors of Babylon!<br /><br />Take care here, brother! Please.Camillenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-63308393225993868232012-04-03T07:53:36.981-05:002012-04-03T07:53:36.981-05:00"There are so many people out there who would..."There are so many people out there who would love to tear into the idea that there is no such thing as a Christian nation."<br /><br />There is a Christyian nation. It's called the body of Christ and it referred to as a "holy nation". All earthly governments are fallen.<br /><br />The fastest growing church in any nation is the Chinese church which floursihed under totalitarianism. Democracy is often a detriment to the church since it sometimes causes spiritual laziness and an unholy allegiance to the nation itself.Rick Fruehhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05879848568892457571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-61963775075181013842012-04-02T23:12:45.737-05:002012-04-02T23:12:45.737-05:00There are so many people out there who would love ...There are so many people out there who would love to tear into the idea that there is no such thing as a Christian nation. There are those who throw it into our faces that we have no right to live in a government who doesn't want Christianity within it's borders. If we believe to look to Heaven while we still have a foot in the door here on earth, then we are allowing the evil to win that is around us. And we are no better than the servant who buried his talent in Jesus parable. <br /><br />There is moderation to everything. If there isn't to be an standing up for one's beliefs via politics or government, and if we are to obey the laws of the land, then all those that live in a nation that have outlawed Christianity would have to move or recent their faith. Is the human body of the earth or of God? Is the earth itself made by God or Satan? What do you give Caesar? The coin, or the silver? Did Caesar make silver? No! God did! How could you separate the silver from the stamp that made it the coin? There wasn't any way. Jesus wasn't saying to give the metal (since we don't know if it was silver or not) to Caesar, but his currency and his title. <br /><br />Jesus, in defiance of the Roman empire, rode into Jerusalem as a King and was praised as one. He made a strong statement that day. Why? Because of pride? No, but because he must fulfill the prophecies. <br /><br />So it is with us. We make a statement. We make it in this world because we are still in this world. Do we do it vindictively? I sure hope not! But we make a very strong statement because of who we are. Our very nature as Christians is in complete opposition to this world. But because God has not called you out of this world yet, you are obligated to still fight for your principles. Otherwise, the government will encroach so strongly on your freedom as to not have any left. And at that point, your silence is partly to blame.<br /><br />Do you realize what they are trying to do these days? What laws they are trying to pass? How much they are trying to take your children away from you, both in body, soul and mind? Where do you think these laws start? Why does anyone think it's a good idea, much less a God given idea to be silent and allow these laws to be passed? <br /><br />Giving Caesar what belongs to him isn't allowing him to gain more territory than is his in the first place. Do you all believe that by allowing evil to come flooding in only that more quickly heralds the beginning of Christ's coming and reign? That may be, that I for one will NOT be considered as one who facilitated evil's encroachment by my silence!Camillenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-69671737515050263652012-04-02T10:51:11.936-05:002012-04-02T10:51:11.936-05:00Hi Rick - I find it so comforting to know that God...Hi Rick - I find it so comforting to know that God teaches His children the very same things so that we are like minded and united by the Holy Spirit. All I need to say is that the Lord has taught me the very same things. I was involved in politics and even ran for our local school board in the 1990's. Since then, though my mind has been transformed by God. Your article says it all even down to questioning the revolutionary war and what they were fighting for and allegiance to a flag and the US. Jesus is not a respector of nationality. This is definitely not a popular view, but neither were Jesus' views. Continue in your faith and to hear the voice of the Lord speak to you through His Spirit! As for me and my house, we will follow the Lord, even when we get stones thrown at us.<br /><br />Here's a sermon by John MacArthur that might be of interest: <br />http://www.gty.org/resources/sermon-series/236/a-radical-alternative-to-political-activismLisa Smallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12999997900071448285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-30428007612042888262012-04-02T10:50:45.946-05:002012-04-02T10:50:45.946-05:00Hi Rick - I find it so comforting to know that God...Hi Rick - I find it so comforting to know that God teaches His children the very same things so that we are like minded and united by the Holy Spirit. All I need to say is that the Lord has taught me the very same things. I was involved in politics and even ran for our local school board in the 1990's. Since then, though my mind has been transformed by God. Your article says it all even down to questioning the revolutionary war and what they were fighting for and allegiance to a flag and the US. Jesus is not a respector of nationality. This is definitely not a popular view, but neither were Jesus' views. Continue in your faith and to hear the voice of the Lord speak to you through His Spirit! As for me and my house, we will follow the Lord, even when we get stones thrown at us.<br /><br />Here's a sermon by John MacArthur that might be of interest: <br />http://www.gty.org/resources/sermon-series/236/a-radical-alternative-to-political-activismLisa Smallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12999997900071448285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-33467017747066951172012-04-01T13:41:23.513-05:002012-04-01T13:41:23.513-05:00Rick,
The power of the Holy Spirt is really workin...Rick,<br />The power of the Holy Spirt is really working in all of us, this has been a real big challenge on my heart as i share my same thought with my other brothers in Christ. Jesus said give to Caesar what is Caesar's and<br />give to God what is God's. the point is not about taxes<br />its about separating the two Kingdom's of this world.<br />The only real why we change our world is to jesus first<br />in everything we do. Everything we do must always show Calvary Jesus love. Jesus wasn't concerned with the meaningless things of this world. Remember our Kingdom is not of this world. We are all trying to be like Christ all the time and all of us our at different relationship with Him, but if all of us<br />but the Christ is love first, thats what the outside world see first. The second greatest command is to love love your neighbor as ourselves, love our enemies, pray for those that persecute us. If we all did this as a body of Christ this world would be changed. than we affect our brothers, home, community, culture than government forces to change. How many of us can honestly really say they show all these hard examples Christ has shown? Also Christ said "those that live by the sword will die by the sword" and He said that to Peter. What did Christ do to the guard that got his ear cut off by Peter. He healed it, you don't think that, that guard ended up changing his life after that? He showed love toward his enemy. <br />I would strongly recommend a book called "The Myth of a Christian Nation" and why most christian americans have this false perception of being a strong hold for the Kingdom. My personal belief is that real change never comes from politics, because it the kingdom of the world way, we just thing becasue we are doing it with a christian perspective that its right. Constatine the emperor really became a christian I believe, but when he made it the official religion all it did was do the opposite of Christ, he forced people to turn to Christ of die. In the same since non-believers that see us trying to change laws in the name of Christ see us as arrogant, prideful and most of all forcing us to believe in our values and morals. We become the police instead of showing love, compassion, forgiveness. Instead of showing by example like Christ did. We shoulf be concerned about changing and trasforming hearts.<br />It doesn't work when you try to do it through the political world, because it the way or system if you will of the World.<br />May we all speak the truth in Love, <br />Your brother in Christ- David GAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-50138276026891457092012-03-31T22:31:56.359-05:002012-03-31T22:31:56.359-05:00I can't believe how this post describes my jou...I can't believe how this post describes my journey too, almost to a "T". I feel like a fish out of water with most of the Christian circles here in the Bible Belt. But I used to be right there with them - lock step. My dh and I last night were just discussing how this great land of ours had its beginning. Just taking off the bias and looking at things the way they really are and were, I have no king but Jesus. No country but heaven.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-34796036106126976332012-03-30T18:41:11.887-05:002012-03-30T18:41:11.887-05:00What I mean is that if you are in your physical bo...What I mean is that if you are in your physical body while you war spiritually, then you are moving your physical body and using it in order to accomplish your spiritual waring. If you pray, you either are using your brain to think about the praying or your mouth to say the words of your prayers. If you are waring spiritually, your physical body cannot help but be involved and affected somehow, someway. Your body is a part of the war by your choosing, albeit your focus is spiritual. It is a fact.Camillenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-10109113797495170072012-03-30T18:31:53.178-05:002012-03-30T18:31:53.178-05:00"If you war spiritually, then you also war ph..."If you war spiritually, then you also war physically."<br /><br />Completely untrue. That is fallen reasoning.Rick Fruehhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05879848568892457571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-23700200828090416092012-03-30T17:38:33.473-05:002012-03-30T17:38:33.473-05:00Actually, this country was not birthed over a mone...Actually, this country was not birthed over a monetary issue! The pilgrims were not so self-centered as to risk life and limb for money. If that were so, they would not have come here, where no one was, but to another country where they could have sought after financial freedom. And where is it in history where the pilgrims started mining or panning for gold and gems? It was a monetary issue why England did not want us to be a free state. Which take on history are you going to believe? Of course England would make us out to be fools because they hated our defiance and the loss of their funding through taxing us. But to make it out that we broke away over money is frankly missing the point. As in any relationship, there are two sides. When there is a break in that relationship, there are two stories. The ones that say that we broke off for monetary reasons alone (which belittles the scope of the issues encompassing our forefathers) is anti-American.<br /><br />You are in the world (you are flesh and blood, you breathe), but you are not of it (not murdering, cheating, stealing, etc.). Taxes, credit cards, house payments, all that is not a necessity for being a human being with a soul and spirit and are therefore a part of this world, a byproduct of living in it. Your support of the government system is a support of a war, since it is a stance for something and against something else. Your national identity is a war, just as much as your spiritual identity is one as well. And I mean both of those as a good thing!<br /><br />I did not say violence, I said war. I sometimes mean to say fighting, but I do not mean to say violence ever! Violence is something that is non Christian, since that is done out of anger and hatred. Do you think that war cannot be done in love? What did Christ Himself do? He fought because He loved us. He endured the cross because of the joy set before Him. It is not true to say that all war/fighting is violence. Again, that is ridiculous. Conversely, that would be like saying that all love is Godly. At that moment, we would be condoning domestic partnerships, etc. That is a tangent...<br /><br />According to your logic, the church in China after Mao became ruler was out of step and therefore something that God would not have blessed, because they went against the laws of their country. They were fighting, they were standing up for their beliefs, they were putting themselves in harm's way; they were standing against the laws of the land. <br /><br />There is an undeniable point in this life where the spiritual and physical actually mix/cross and cannot be separated (until death do so). You cannot rightfully say that you will war spiritually only. As a human, there is no such thing, since you are not all spirit. If you war spiritually, then you also war physically. Not all war involves weapons (and not all involvement of weapons is violence [that's a matter of the heart, not the tool]), but all war involves a side for which one stands up and stands against.Camillenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-18855016499019035552012-03-30T15:01:55.977-05:002012-03-30T15:01:55.977-05:00We are in the world (money, car, job, etc.) but we...We are in the world (money, car, job, etc.) but we are not of the world. (The world's systems and variable sense of morality) The New Testament never endorses violence. And this country was birthed by violence over taxes.<br /><br />yes, we do war, but not with carnal weapons. Our warfare is spiritual which is done through prayer, humility, and the spreading of the gospel. The confusion exists when a believer has allegiance to this our any other earthly country.<br /><br />We are pilgrims, our lives are hid in Christ with God, and we are to seek those things which are above. The church is not a body given to war and violence. Stalin, Hitler, Mao, Bin Laden? Would God have endorsed their abortion or must we wait until they are born?<br /><br />Afetr Mao took control of China, the chinese church grew like no other indigenous church in history. God even uses dictators for His purposes.<br /><br />When the church thinks and behaves like the fallen world, she has lost her power and vision of the Risen Christ.Rick Fruehhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05879848568892457571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-39601580307109959272012-03-30T14:49:36.816-05:002012-03-30T14:49:36.816-05:00I believe that we agree...
The Real Meaning of Ro...I believe that we agree...<br /><br />The Real Meaning of Romans 13<br />http://www.rgmultimedia.info/bvi/2011/12/07/the-real-meaning-of-romans-13/<br /><br />Christians & the World of Politics<br />http://www.rgmultimedia.info/bvi/2011/12/10/christians-and-the-world-of-politics/<br /><br />more on authority:<br />http://www.rgmultimedia.info/bvi/?s=authorityAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-49404559505431017632012-03-30T14:42:52.782-05:002012-03-30T14:42:52.782-05:00Rick,
It sounds like you are trying to already li...Rick,<br /><br />It sounds like you are trying to already live in Heaven, once the battle with evil is over. The problem with that is the reality that you are not there yet (as evidenced by your writing a blog) and neither are we done with the fight of evil (as evidenced by the fact that we are still in the world, which is evil, and that the Lord has not chosen to take us out of it yet).<br /><br />How can you say that voting is an unholy alliance between this evil world and our Godly spiritual nature?! With that logic, us living in a physical body is also an unholy alliance. Yet God has chosen this, for a time, and for good (selah)! And for His purposes.<br /><br />It sounds like you are confusing your struggles here, making it sound like standing up for your beliefs in a political arena as being evil and entering into an unholy alliance (inferring that it is not something that God would have you do). You have an issue with war, with violence. It sounds like you have a fundamental issue with evil. An issue with evil is good. An issue with war is shooting beyond that mark (in your context). War is what the righteous do because they see there is something worth fighting for. God Himself, by His very nature is one who stands against, because He stands FOR something. If you stand against anything, you are waring (conversely) against something. It sounds like you cannot reconcile why God, a truly pure and Holy God could allow or condone His creation to exist in a world or a body that is tainted, or even evil. Part of this is a paradox, and part of it is the mystery of God that cannot be fully understood (though, I would encourage everyone to continue to seek God for understanding in these areas).<br /><br />The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.... was it good or was it bad? Why would He put a tree in the garden that had the Knowledge of Evil even before we are completely sure that there was evil present? Why would God form a new creation and then deliberately put this in the middle? These are the questions to be asking, much more than asking whether war and standing up for one's beliefs within our government is what God would have us do.<br /><br />Did God condone America entering into a war to stop Hitler? And if not, then you would be saying that God condoned Hitler to continue extermination until the day he died. I suppose Stalin should not have been stopped, or Bin Laden, or Hussein. It depends upon how you have interpreted the Bible and upon which passages you rely upon solely, since it is obviously not from the Bible as a whole (in context) from which you base your conclusions.<br /><br />Should we then not fight to breathe every time, but give into gravity? Should we cultivate the ground so that we can eat? Should we lounge in bed and not fight to get out? If we are not to fight, then what do you advocate (or suggest) that we do? How far are you willing to take this logic?<br /><br />Paul says that we war not against flesh, but against principalities. He told us what we were waring against, he did NOT tell us that we were not warring! That's insane. It's impossible! <br /><br />If you choose not to war against anything that is government based, then your support of the government in any fashion is also evil. The use of currency, the purchasing of products, the subscription to internet connections, phone bills, credit cards, a mortgage, etc. is also very evil. It is evil, by your logic, because it is in support of a government system. Your social security number is also evil, and your acceptance of it is your support of a government system.<br /><br />How far are you willing to go with this? <br /><br />We must fight because we know what to fight for. Those who do not know Christ do not know how to fight; they know how to war. There is a difference...Camillenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-33953033009996735022012-03-30T09:16:12.969-05:002012-03-30T09:16:12.969-05:00Funny Rick... I posted this a couple hrs ago to Mi...Funny Rick... I posted this a couple hrs ago to Mike Huckabee,<br /><br />Mike... and HPAC <br /> Where is the power of God made known? Certainly not exclusive to some theocracy! But rather... In The Lords faithful chosen... But who are they? Where are they? And where does the USA/politico fit into the "Big Picture".<br /> Mike H. I challenge you to introspect in all true humility. What are your/our motives and in who/what are they based? This is NOT a sermonette as you might suppose! But rather a potential game changing prophetic moment. "SEEK first the kingdom of God and His RIGHTEOUSNESS and all these things will be added unto you" " If my people called by my name....... "AND TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS then I will hear from heaven and heal their land"(emphasis added)<br /> "The surest way to defeat an enemy is to make him your ally" and in this case I agree.<br /> You see Mr. Huckabee Gods power is very near MIA! The reason is "God will not be mocked". Please continue to operate in the political arena. You are chosen for this. But please consider this one thing... "will He find any faithful". (pray right now for the Lords confirmation,wisdom and guidance. And I agree with that in Jesus name amen).<br /> Some correlation???<br /><br /> VictorVictornoreply@blogger.com