What king do you want?

So, I've known about what I wanted to write in my blog for a few days, but life happened and I am just now getting around to actually writing it. I was interested to see what the Bible said during the time that Israel demanded a king. I didn't want to read into it without reading the Word, but after reading in 1 Samuel, it just solidified what I was thinking. I am looking around our society and seeing that people are no longer looking for saving grace to come from Jesus, but instead what this to come from our government. We have gotten so used to politicians not fulfilling their promises that it doesn't even shock us anymore. However, with the last campaign and namely with the person who is now our president, people not only expect him to deliver everything he promised but also refused to hear what he was saying. People still have blinders on but I believe they are slowly beginning to come off. It is President Obama's words that we need to listen to and then follow that up with watching his actions. For me, the best example of this is the fact that he says he is a Christian and has even talked about his conversion. I don't know if he is a Christian or not because that is between him and God, just the same as ultimately, I don't know if my best friend is truly a Christian. All I have to go on is the words said and the action taken; I cannot see a person's heart like God can. Anyway, he professes to be a Christian and yet how many times has he attended church. I know that some people believe that you don't have to attend church to be a Christian, but I believe you have a desire to worship Christ in a corporate setting with other believers. When I am away from my church, I miss the fellowship and the worship.

Anyway, back to the king thing. In 1 Samuel when the people demand a king, God tells Samuel that the people are not rejecting Samuel but they are rejecting God as their king. I have never seen so much hope and saving expected from one person (apart from Christ) or from one entitity (the government.) I believe we have taken a turn in our country where people believe that government (or Pres. Obama) can save them. The sad thing is that our President plays into this. He knows that people are looking to him as a messiah figure and yet he plays it off. Again, as a Christian, I personally would be quick to point out I am not in any way like the Messiah, but maybe that is just me. Government cannot save you. President Barack Obama cannot save you. The only person that can save you is the Lord Jesus Christ. Our country would do well to remember that.

Theresa P.

Why the divide?

Well, this is officially my first blog on faith and politics. It should be noted that I am a Christian foremost, a mom and a wife, and an American. I am pretty conservative, probably more so than the mainstream of the country, but I am not an extremists (at least not according to me.) Having said all of that, I believe that there is something wrong with our country which is why I felt compelled to start my own blog. I do not honestly expect anyone to read this, but I need an outlet. I have been very concerned since the election about what I consider a politic divide among Christians. This may not be a big deal among most people but it is to me because I see things that are being supported on both sides that I don't think line up with Christian beliefs. I have wondered why this divide exist and so I posed the question on my facebook. I only received two responses, both of which I felt were correct. Alot of people only vote party and really don't care to line up the persons beliefs with what the Bible says. I have had a number of people tell me that someone would vote for the devil if he were a Democrat (or a Republican, but Democrat is what I have heard.) Within each party, there is a wide range of views. We, as Christians, must start looking beyond party and matching the individual up with the Bible.

I believe the divide has a lot to do with the fact that we are living in the most Biblically illiterate society ever. This is a failure on the part of the church. Churches have shied away from teaching anything that may be viewed as being "political" because of the fear of the loss of tax-exempt status. This is a false fear. The church can teach many things but the church must be sure it is teaching the Bible (After all, it does have to answer to God.) If the Bible speaks on political issues, which I believe it does, then the church is obligated to teach that but the church must not play politics with the Bible. Right now, liberals, who historically have not really cared about what the Bible says on certain issues, has begun to hijack the importance of the Bible and used morallity and equated it with equality. The first thing they will say is "What would Jesus do?" Well, I can tell you He would not go against the will of His Father.

Theresa P.