Post by Gerard Mendes on Oct 20, 2008 11:10:50 GMT -5
The rampant spread of socialism today is spoken about in the bible.In reality socialism is or has taken the place of religeon.2Tim 3 is a discourse on the last days.verse five gets real interesting.Non paraphresed versions use the term ---form of godlyness but denying Gods power.Godlyness is doing good.Doing good in mans name is what socialism tries to do.Their is a portion in american politics who have deified the state.The state instead of GOD has become our provoder and giver of rights.The state is doing the work of the church.If one was to sum up JESUS' commands it would come down to these three things---feed the pour,heal the sick and make disciples or educate.Today we have welfare---feed pour,medicare--heal and public education---make disciples.The church is not needed.Not only does the church today not operate in power but we arent doing what we are called to do.The outcome of this is a church that thas turned inward---gathering money for self interests and indulging in self help teachings.If we were to keep reading in 2nd Tim chapter three we would see mentioned weak willed women.Isnt politics today all about womans issues---equal pay.abortion,child care and universal insurance for children.Keep reading and the phrase--ever learning never understanding pops up.Today we are exposed to a great many of 'experts' who have studied and keep studing our constantly degrading moral condition.The interesting thing is that no one has answers that work.More goodness in mans name is not the answer to anything---JESUS is. When teaching verse five of chapter three the mainline idea is that --form of godlyness-- means 'they go to church but arent saved'.Paraphrased versions actually state this.In the king james text a '-- ' is used indicating a break in the text.In this one could come to the conclussion that what is meant is--in the last of the last days.Socialism was not a factor in human politics till the last century and today.In the past we have had kingdoms and dictatorships. Socialism is mans attempt to become mans own god.This is the root of the first temptation in the bible---surely you will not die but you will be like god.Socialism is a new twist to an old sin.If we were to keep reading in 2 Tim we see that socialism fails.To this we should come to understand that we shouldnt be caught up in politics but rather we should be about our buisness---feeding the pour,healing the sick and making disciples in HIS name.
P.S. This came to me in a dream back in Clintons first term as president. In this dream bill was preaching in a black church. He was saying that we must be like Jesus--feeding the poor--taking care of the sick and seeking equal justice for all. I was awake in my dream and vexed. It sounded good but I knew something was wrong. What bill did was lower Jesus to man status and make Him a social reformer not God the heart transformer.
As a further comment I don't want to come across as a right winged nut. Those on the right have some misgivings too. What they have done is reconstruct the Levitical priesthood. Jesus said He was of the order of melchizedek and by this Jesus meant that He walked in authority AND power. The Levitical priesthood was one of authority. Modern Christianity today is mostly devoid of power and mixes politics with religion. Its not about getting our people in to pass our laws so everyone can act like Christians. Its about loving, giving and exposing people to the presence of our wonderful Lord. After the exposing takes place its Gods job to transform people. If God cant change people why do we think we can? When John the Baptist was in prison about to be put to death he sent his people to Jesus to ask if Jesus was the one or to look for another. What was the response Jesus gave? He said that the lame walk and the bling see. Now If Jesus used displays of power to validate His ministry Why do we today not seek to validate our ministries by the same activities? Today we do as Paul did in Athens and reason with people. And like Paul in Athens we get a few converts. Go ahead Put God to the test. See If He doesn't come through. The results He produces are far better then any we can work up.
P.S. This came to me in a dream back in Clintons first term as president. In this dream bill was preaching in a black church. He was saying that we must be like Jesus--feeding the poor--taking care of the sick and seeking equal justice for all. I was awake in my dream and vexed. It sounded good but I knew something was wrong. What bill did was lower Jesus to man status and make Him a social reformer not God the heart transformer.
As a further comment I don't want to come across as a right winged nut. Those on the right have some misgivings too. What they have done is reconstruct the Levitical priesthood. Jesus said He was of the order of melchizedek and by this Jesus meant that He walked in authority AND power. The Levitical priesthood was one of authority. Modern Christianity today is mostly devoid of power and mixes politics with religion. Its not about getting our people in to pass our laws so everyone can act like Christians. Its about loving, giving and exposing people to the presence of our wonderful Lord. After the exposing takes place its Gods job to transform people. If God cant change people why do we think we can? When John the Baptist was in prison about to be put to death he sent his people to Jesus to ask if Jesus was the one or to look for another. What was the response Jesus gave? He said that the lame walk and the bling see. Now If Jesus used displays of power to validate His ministry Why do we today not seek to validate our ministries by the same activities? Today we do as Paul did in Athens and reason with people. And like Paul in Athens we get a few converts. Go ahead Put God to the test. See If He doesn't come through. The results He produces are far better then any we can work up.