Integration
Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 7:17 pmI recently posted this in response to a question on another website regarding how far Christians should integrate into Federal Governement. Of course that post was the uncorrected form. This one, the one that should have been posted is a little bit more cleaned up. So be warned I sometimes struggle to get thoughts on paper indeed it is a hurdle for me to jump especially with all I've been thinking of lately.
I must say in all my bible study I keep coming across a recurring theme, that is to say, I don't think we were called to 'integrate' into anything here, on the contrary, as the new testement term "church" ekllesia means to call out or calling out, bid, call, forth aloud, but to where? Simply put I believe we have been called to go to our Father in Heaven who by the Blood of Yeshua His only Begotten Son has adopted us into His Kingdom!
Many of late are taking great pride in this country, and lifting up 'founding fathers' and the U.S. Constitution as their guide. But with all due respect to these men and documents which they wrote, does any follower in Messiah truely believe we require a piece of paper from these fathers to affirm our responsiblity towards God? From what I have observed this document has to date served primarily as an excuse for rebellion against those placed in authority. "REMEMBER" long before the these fathers wrote the U.S. Constitution YHVH laid the foundation and commanded us to live according to His will. We ought to realize, with or without that piece of paper we will always have the freedom, duty, and obligation, to live as He would have us to live and to say those things which ought to be said. But in no way start a fight, argue and rebel over it. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
As to your question how far should Christians integrate into the Federal government. Let me begin with, can or should we work in government, of course and why not? I served 24 years in the military, it can pay well, I learned much and we are to provide for family right? However, that word 'integrate' would seem to imply we become part of it or allowing it to become part of us causing one to become intangled in it. And becoming intangled in this world is something we as believers should be wary of and avoid (easier said than done sometimes)
Additionally, I find only two camps, peoples or nations if you will written of in Gods word, Gentile and Israel (strives with God). The new testement Greek word "Gentile" refers to someone other than a Jew. In Hebrew to be called a "Gentile" (goyim/go' ee) is to be called heathen, pagan, idolater and like the Greek word it too identifies a person/nation as someone other than a Jew or Israel.
What then is the U.S.? Frankly, I agree with the President when for whatever reason he said this is not a Christain nation. I know there are many living in this land who would argue that, yet how can they or others honestly claim it a to be so without some reference to Gods word, thereby proving it? Many have wondered of the role this nation will play in the end times. Some say being a "Christain nation" it is to defend Israel, and some, of whom I completely disagree with, have even implied it is a new Israel. Yet why then do we see this very day a nation "other than Israel" called the United States of America take a leading role with others in dividing His inheritence! This role will only lead to judgment (Joel 3:2). One then must ask just how much do I want to be a part of that?
Another thing I have been pondering is the meaning of "Jew". "The word "Jew" comes from , a name that means "praised" which is derived from the shoresh yadah, meaning (in the Hiphil) to give thanks, to laud, to praise. A true Jew, then, is one who lives in a praiseworthy attitude and manner according to God's standards." I think I now understand when Paul wrote to the Romans "he is not a Jew that is one outwardly, nor circumcision that outwardly in flesh; but he is a Jew that is one inwardly, and circumcision of heart, in spirit, not in letter; of whom the praise is not from men, but from God".
Before we knew Christ we were once upon a time nothing more than dead men walking and without hope. Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Think about that now, in times past we were Gentiles a.k.a. heathen, pagan, or someone other than a Jew, in the flesh, but now, by the blood of Yeshua we are made one. One elect, one chosen people. Unlike todays pont of view that sees two chosen one expecting to depart early while the other suffers tribulation (and they say the Jew is blinded). Nolonger are we divided by the middle wall of partition if believe but now we are one and members of the commonwealth of Israel. And it is from the Holy Place Jerusalem, The King of kings shall reign. So as commanded we should look to the coming of our King and His Kingdom, not to the kingdoms of this world and their doctrines as they shall fall and be no more.
Maybe it will be a nice autumn day when we will hear that trumpet sound. But thats another topic.
I must say in all my bible study I keep coming across a recurring theme, that is to say, I don't think we were called to 'integrate' into anything here, on the contrary, as the new testement term "church" ekllesia means to call out or calling out, bid, call, forth aloud, but to where? Simply put I believe we have been called to go to our Father in Heaven who by the Blood of Yeshua His only Begotten Son has adopted us into His Kingdom!
Many of late are taking great pride in this country, and lifting up 'founding fathers' and the U.S. Constitution as their guide. But with all due respect to these men and documents which they wrote, does any follower in Messiah truely believe we require a piece of paper from these fathers to affirm our responsiblity towards God? From what I have observed this document has to date served primarily as an excuse for rebellion against those placed in authority. "REMEMBER" long before the these fathers wrote the U.S. Constitution YHVH laid the foundation and commanded us to live according to His will. We ought to realize, with or without that piece of paper we will always have the freedom, duty, and obligation, to live as He would have us to live and to say those things which ought to be said. But in no way start a fight, argue and rebel over it. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
As to your question how far should Christians integrate into the Federal government. Let me begin with, can or should we work in government, of course and why not? I served 24 years in the military, it can pay well, I learned much and we are to provide for family right? However, that word 'integrate' would seem to imply we become part of it or allowing it to become part of us causing one to become intangled in it. And becoming intangled in this world is something we as believers should be wary of and avoid (easier said than done sometimes)
Additionally, I find only two camps, peoples or nations if you will written of in Gods word, Gentile and Israel (strives with God). The new testement Greek word "Gentile" refers to someone other than a Jew. In Hebrew to be called a "Gentile" (goyim/go' ee) is to be called heathen, pagan, idolater and like the Greek word it too identifies a person/nation as someone other than a Jew or Israel.
What then is the U.S.? Frankly, I agree with the President when for whatever reason he said this is not a Christain nation. I know there are many living in this land who would argue that, yet how can they or others honestly claim it a to be so without some reference to Gods word, thereby proving it? Many have wondered of the role this nation will play in the end times. Some say being a "Christain nation" it is to defend Israel, and some, of whom I completely disagree with, have even implied it is a new Israel. Yet why then do we see this very day a nation "other than Israel" called the United States of America take a leading role with others in dividing His inheritence! This role will only lead to judgment (Joel 3:2). One then must ask just how much do I want to be a part of that?
Another thing I have been pondering is the meaning of "Jew". "The word "Jew" comes from , a name that means "praised" which is derived from the shoresh yadah, meaning (in the Hiphil) to give thanks, to laud, to praise. A true Jew, then, is one who lives in a praiseworthy attitude and manner according to God's standards." I think I now understand when Paul wrote to the Romans "he is not a Jew that is one outwardly, nor circumcision that outwardly in flesh; but he is a Jew that is one inwardly, and circumcision of heart, in spirit, not in letter; of whom the praise is not from men, but from God".
Before we knew Christ we were once upon a time nothing more than dead men walking and without hope. Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Think about that now, in times past we were Gentiles a.k.a. heathen, pagan, or someone other than a Jew, in the flesh, but now, by the blood of Yeshua we are made one. One elect, one chosen people. Unlike todays pont of view that sees two chosen one expecting to depart early while the other suffers tribulation (and they say the Jew is blinded). Nolonger are we divided by the middle wall of partition if believe but now we are one and members of the commonwealth of Israel. And it is from the Holy Place Jerusalem, The King of kings shall reign. So as commanded we should look to the coming of our King and His Kingdom, not to the kingdoms of this world and their doctrines as they shall fall and be no more.
Maybe it will be a nice autumn day when we will hear that trumpet sound. But thats another topic.