The world has many sayings which are not in agreement with the Bible.
The apostle Paul warned us not to be conformed to this world. But we are to be transformed by that which the Word of God says to us and by the Holy Bible.
As a new Christian in 1975, I thought it was in the Bible that all men are created equal. I was so shocked to find out this is not in the Bible but is a saying of man.
Some people say, "You'll never get out of this world alive." But the apostle Paul tells us not all will see death.
(I Cor. 15:51) Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep (die), but we shall all be changed,
I was so shocked when I learned a couple of Baptist women were going out to the cemetery to decorate graves. Are we testifying to death or to resurrection? Why decorate graves? Who are you trying to impress? That dead person does not know you are at that grave for he is asleep. So who are you trying to impress?
(In Bible, death is described as being asleep. John 11)
As Christians why are we following pagan acts? We should consider that which we do as Christians.
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We are so different from people of this world for we know our kingdom is not of this present world. We are just waiting here until Jesus removes us and takes us to the new heaven and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
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As we live on this earth as Christians, we conform our way to the Word of God.
* Instead of beating other people and outdoing other people, we desire to help other people.
* Our goal, set by the Bible, is to live on this earth in peace, without spot and blameless in the sight of God. (II Peter 3:14)
* Even if man should defraud us, we know God will repay us.
* We do not seek to avenge ourselves but we trust God to help us in all matters.
* We seek wisdom from God and we walk in HIS way as we live on this earth.
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Hebrews 11
14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for HE hath prepared for them a city.
Voting for governments is a very big issue in the United States. At the end of this podcast I will tell you scripture which pertains to this subject.
8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
11For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
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Concerning voting for governments of men:
I would not want to approve any person for anything unless I was sure that person was godly. A godly person is a person who turns to God in every issue and seeks the will of God and structures his life by scripture.
Judging by their advertisements on TV, I have never seen any politician display himself or herself in a godly manner. I just see various works of the flesh and much strife and hatred displayed and often the truth is put in high question.
Galatians 5:19-22 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance:
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance:
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I have seen one political party openly have homosexuals and lesbians in their conventions and rallies. And I've seen men dressed as women sitting there on TV camera displaying themselves proudly without any godly sanction by the political leaders. I believe I'm right in saying both political parties have a policy of approval of homosexuals and lesbians.
God says: concerning homosexuals and lesbians
Romans 1:25-28 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Politics is a worldly thing full of ungodly acts, filled with hatred, variance, strife and evil speaking one of another, openly approving many evils against the Bible.
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And for us, as Christians, to wish a human well in his endeavors contains a sizable risk spiritually speaking, for each of us.
I remind us of the following.
II John
9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
11For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
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Here is something the Bible does tell us to do concerning those who are in authority:
II Timothy 2:1-3 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
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The apostle Peter tells us to live as follows as we wait for the return of Jesus when we will be removed from this earth and taken to the new heaven and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein l
I do not believe I could participate in politics at any level and live in peace, without spot and blameless.
Politics is a very worldly evil thing appealing to the flesh of men and often making men feel they are doing good while their real works are evil and against many parts of the Bible.
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While we live in this world, we are not of this world.
Hebrews 11
14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for HE hath prepared for them a city.
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As Christians we are strangers and pilgrims on this earth just waiting in a godly way for Jesus to return to take us off this earth and to take us to the new heaven and the new earth which is filled only with righteousness.
Revelation 22 Jesus says:
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
14 Blessed are they that do HIS commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
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