Tag: Religion

A Christian Perspective

Religion and Politics  

Loring Schultz
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You have heard it said many times I’m sure, two areas of conversation you should avoid at all cost are religion and politics. But what if you’re a Christian with a mandate from Jesus who said before ascending into heaven, “….. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8b nlt) And if you are a Christian living somewhere in ‘the ends of the earth’ witnessing for Christ does it not stand to reason that we engage in the well-being of our neighbors where the Lord has placed us? Looking out for our neighbors may mean being involved in politics to some degree.

Webster’s New World Dictionary defines ‘politics’ as ‘the science and art of government.’ The Britannica Dictionary expands on it by saying, ‘activities that relate to influencing the actions and policies of a government or getting and keeping power in a government.’ A Christian’s responsibility in politics is always to achieve through persuasion what is best according to God’s design for those under authority. Laws and ordinances that provide protection and safety of the general public should be of enough concern for every Christian to support such measures. The New Testament book of Romans states rather clearly that all authority comes from God and we need to submit to it. Governments are put in place to maintain order and stability in society by punishing wrongdoers. “The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, because they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.” (Ro.13:4 nlt)

We can argue there are wrong doers among those in authority who are to protect us from wrong doers, but that is the point. To stand by idle and not be engaged in support of those in government or pursuing a role in government to properly carry out the ordinance of God is not an option for the Christian. Looking out for the well-being of our neighbor includes presenting the gospel to them and working in support of peace and safety as far as it depends on us. Paul writes in Romans, “Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.” (Ro. 12:17-18 nlt) And the author of the book of Hebrews writes, “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” (Heb. 12:14 niv) And we can’t leave out King David who wrote, “Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace and work to maintain it.” (Ps. 34:14 nlt)

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As Christians we need not heed the advice from those who advocate to restrain from engaging in conversation of religion and politics, especially when we are presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ and His rule of authority as recorded in Scripture. 

Devotionals

Practicing your religion

Loring Schultz

“But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!” Mt. 5:20 NLT

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            You may have heard the term, ‘practice makes perfect.’ You may have used it yourself while encouraging others to continue their practice sessions. Whether learning to play a musical instrument or being coached up to throw a curve ball, run a deep route on the football field, or raise the percentage of free throws from the foul line, practice is needed. But does practice really make perfect? We are all able to testify that practice does make us better, but it does not make us perfect. That is not to say that one cannot bowl a perfect 300 game, a pitcher not throw a perfect 27 out baseball game, or a student studying for an exam is not able to ace it. Outside of those accomplishments, which are few, practice does make us better, but certainly not perfect.

            The religious leaders of Jesus’s day were all about practicing religion. They had calculated 248 commandments and 365 prohibitions in God’s law. They strived to keep them all. No doubt, they practiced their religion by obeying or trying to obey each of 613 total commandments and prohibitions. As much as they practiced their religion and attempted to keep all the laws, they weren’t able to keep them.  They did claimed, however, to have a righteousness that surpassed everyone else. Their religion was an outward show of righteous deeds. No matter how much they practiced the righteous deeds of the law they were not perfect.

            Jesus said to His disciples in the Sermon on the Mount in reference to this, “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!” (Mt. 5:20) The teachers of the law and the Pharisees were considered to be the most righteous individuals due to their observances of God’s laws. But Jesus tells the disciples their righteousness must exceed that of the righteous leaders or they will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Practicing or observing religion is not the answer.

            One is made righteous in the sight of God by accepting Christ as their Savior. There are no works we can perform, or any amount of practicing that will earn us a place in Heaven with Christ. “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” (Eph. 2: 8-9 NLT) Do not practice your religion, put your religion into practice.

Devotionals

Only one road that leads to heaven

Loring Schultz

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” Proverbs 14:12 ESV

“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” Psalm 14:1 ESV

            A familiar saying throughout the years has been, “All roads lead to heaven” or “All roads lead to God.” Many times this statement goes unchallenged, but those who adhere to this logic are an example of Solomon’s proverb, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” What seems right based on feelings, philosophy, astronomy, good works towards mankind, or being a follower of one of the many religions in our world today is a false hope. God has laid out His plan of salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ in the written scriptures, His book to us, the Holy Bible.

            By rejecting what is clearly spelled out for us in the Bible, one is actually portraying what Solomon’s father, King David wrote, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” As the masses flock to the false religions of the world or try to fend for themselves with good works, they are saying the God of the Bible does not exist. They imply He misspoke and has given us an incomplete Word, but God’s Word stands complete and it stands true. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (Jn. 14:6)

            So how about you? Which road are you on? Are you on one of many religious roads throughout history? Are you relying on your good works, your kindness, and your love for others? Are you on the road of trusting what feels right and reasoning through science and philosophy? “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” Jesus says there is only One Road that leads to heaven.