Souls for Sale: Navigating the Politics of the Christian Faith

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faithandpolitics

It’s easy to get caught up in the conflicts of this world. Whether its political or financial all of us have some kind of interest in one fight or another. How can we not? We live here. But when our position on things of this world start to cloud our spiritual beliefs, that is when we have a serious problem.

This world has been full of trouble since the disobedience in the garden of Eden. It won’t get any better. Beloved, that is why we must stay focused on the real goal which is not of this world and avoid putting too much focus on conflicts that are temporary. We should keep our mind on heavenly things, spiritual things (Colossians 3:2). None of us should have permanent investment in the happenings of this world. This is not our home. It is not your home.

Now, does this mean that we do not take care of the place in which we live at this present moment? Of course not. We vote. We obey the laws of the land. We show respect for authority even when we do not agree (1 Peter 2:13-17). We love and care for our bodies although we know it will one day expire. We do the same for the land in which we live. However, we do not sacrifice our faith, or our Christian morality to fit in with this world.

I have witnessed Christians compromise their truth teachings for the love of people. We all have witnessed this in some form. Some of us are guilty of this. I pray that I always speak truth regardless the consequence. I pray that we all do the same. What good is it to water down the truth out of fear of losing the support of others? When you do this, my brothers and sisters, everyone is lost.

As crazy as this may sound, I understand why some of us compromise the gospel, refuse to see the truth or distort the meaning of scripture.

FEAR of losing privilege.

FEAR of losing money.

FEAR of losing the love of others.

I have friends who are far left politically and those who are far right and a few in between. I even have friends who are secretly prejudice. I still call them friend because regardless of their views or how they may see me, I still love them. I still hope the power of God works through them and for them. I see them posting stories and comments on social media adding scripture to support their political views, justify their racism and fuel support from people who feel as they feel. They are afraid of losing something that is just temporary and in the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t matter (Matthew 7:23). God cares nothing for politics, money or popularity. In fact, if you look at history, God recruits from the dirt. So, what have you really gained? A temporary following? A pat on the back? A comfortable living for a few years? This is all in exchange for an eternity without Christ. And what’s worse, you have taken others with you.

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

2 Philippians 2: 3-11

One of my dearest friends and protectors, whom I love with my whole heart, is in conflict with staying true to his beliefs and is compromising to keep support. He teaches the gospel. I trust his teachings. But his teachings have a line that he has yet to cross. He refuses to correct these people who uses scripture to justify racism. Instead he appeals to the majority only speaking on things he knows his followers will appreciate. My friend knows the truth. We speak about it in private, but he has yet to share this knowledge publicly. We had a fight about it once and it left us both very angry for different reasons. As much as I adore him, he and I both know that his reluctance is also stemmed from fear. Like my other friends, I love him no less. But I do pray that they all realize that the gospel of Christ is greater than any fleeting thing this world can offer.

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?  Mark 8:36

My beloved brothers and sisters, we must keep our minds on heavenly places. How wonderful will it be when we are all with the King of all kings, our Father in heaven? Will your popularity matter? Will your money matter? No. I pray that you protect the gospel of Christ in all of its purity and do not compromise it for no one or nothing. These blessings I ask in the name of Jesus Christ.

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Romans 8: 5-8

Grace and peace,

Blessings and love,

Where Is The House of God?

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thebodyofChrist, thehouseofGod

Growing up in the Christian church, the daughter of a Pentecostal pastor, I heard the scripture ‘I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord!’ countless times. Preachers and members of the congregation would belt it out quickly to get a reaction from the crowd. And trust me, it was like hitting the “Turn Up” button because the entire room would shout and smile and sometimes dance. They were instantly happy with the thought of going into the “house of the Lord”. I do not believe that any of them realized that they were the house of the Lord. Or, shall I say, they should be the house of the Lord.

Let’s take a look at the backstory for that “turn up” scripture. It is found in Psalms 122. Written by King David, this text was part of a song that the children of Israel sang as they journeyed to Jerusalem for a holy feast. It was called songs of ascension because the children of Israel were going up to Jerusalem for this holy holiday. This was one of the many requirements for Israel. Clearly, it is not required today. We live by the grace of God through our faith in the completed work of Jesus Christ.

We do not go to the house of the Lord. God does not dwell in a temple or any particular building or piece of earth. Before Christ, Israel had no way to get to God except through the priests. They would go to the temple to make sacrifices to God, to pray and worship. In this temple was a veil and behind it was the dwelling place of God (Hebrews 9). Only the priests were allowed behind that veil to atone for Israel’s sins.

But now…

The death of Jesus Christ atoned for all sin. The veil was literally torn open and the temple was destroyed. God left the temple and now dwells in the hearts of the believer (Acts 17:24). Those of us who believe that Jesus Christ atoned for all sin through his sacrifice and resurrection, we are the house of the Lord, the body of Christ. We go to God and directly to Him through that sacrifice Jesus made for us all.

Beloved, as believers we are the body of Christ. The Holy Spirit dwells in us now. We are the church and without us, there is no body.

 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.  And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Romans 8:9-11

Now, I realize a lot of organizations use the phrasing House of God etc. in their titles. But, that is all it is—a title. Do not let anyone tell you that you are standing on holy ground when you walk into a building or a piece of land. Do not let anyone trick you into believing that one building is more holy than the other. It is simply not true. In fact, you and I, the believers of the resurrected Christ are the holy ones. I’ll say it again, it is because the Holy Spirit lives in us. How blessed are we to have found this truth and live in it daily! No one needs a priest. Save your time for going to confession for something else, like reading the Bible perhaps (start in Ephesians). You can skip the ritualistic prayer line where everyone lays hands on you and you beg for forgiveness.

No, my love, you are already forgiven. You have to atone for nothing. Trust in that perfect sacrifice Jesus made for you. Yes you, the body of Jesus Christ, the house of the Lord.

Grace and peace,

Blessings and love.

“…we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before. This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them. And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus. By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

Hebrews 10:9-20