20/08/2022
Wellcome to Christianlitetgm.dmt
Today we will be looking at Christianity and politics
And the Question is........
Should Christian Participate in Politics?
Over the years, this has been a trending topic even among our fellow Christians
Few weeks ago this same question was presented to the DMT of TGM And some of the responds include: Politics is a dirty game and as such, it should not be part of Christian exercise.
We strongly believe that this response portray or speaks the mind of several Religious Denominations across the Glob, therefore we decided to throw some lite on Christianity and politics using Biblical Analysis as a case study.
The bible records the principles of Good politics and also records example of Bad politics
A Good politics is pure biblical politics whereas
A Bad politics is the contrary.
It depends on the influencing power behind the politician.
This study shows that pure politics is rooted in Theocracy
What is Theocracy?
Theocracy is a system of Government in which Priest, Pastors, Believers, child/servant of God Rule in the name of God
God is the first pure Politician, he served as a Governor over his chosen people. God's political economy is a devine Guidance through political governance, societal, ethical and cultural coordination whereby he rewards, promotes, protects, vindicates, rebuke his people so that they may learn to apply Biblical moral principles and practice through the rule of Law.
1 Timothy 2:1-2
I exhort therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessors, 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.
We may not feel like it or may not believe that they are doing the best that they can, but we are commanded to pray for those that are in "high position" and that most currently means praying for government leaders and politicians
As bad as they may seem or as corrupt as we might believe they are, This does not relieve us of our responsibility to pray for those who are over us
Romans 13:1
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities for there is no authority except that which God has established.
The authorities that exist have been established by God.
It is important to mention that the Bible records that during the time of Israel's Theocratic Administration. God appointed prophets, Judges, or Priest to serve the dual function of providing political and religious governance over the people (Exodus 28:1, Lev.8:10-11 Sam 8 Judges 8:33 etc
Their Responsibility were to spiritually guide and establish the rule of law, which guided and protected the lives of the citizens of Israel. Their Judgement were to be in straight confirmation with the justice and fairness of the standard of human.
No curse of condemnation came automatically upon God's people unless as a result of breaching the Convenant relationship they had with God. God's judgement became justifiable and purposeful for executing punishment as a result of his Divine Righteousness.
Nigeria's economy has continued to struggle to keep up to it's Title "Africa's largest economy" with it's dwindling oil production, low standard of living and the rising cost of goods and services
This is Why Nigerians must Decide through devine guidance come 2023
According to st. Augustine, we can identify the character of a people by determining what they love, Christians have a conception of the good life ( Micah 6:8) and scripture tells us our vision of the good life should be characterized by love for God and neighbor (Matt 5:16 matt 22:37-38, John 13:35)
Jesus himself seems to indicate a legitimate role for government insofar as we should give to Caezar his due and pay taxes (mark 12:17)
And the apostle Paul was the first Christian political thinker and activist, advising believes to get along with everyone as much as possible (Roman 12:18) while also using his Roman citizenship to procure a better platform from which to declare the gospel (Acts 22-26).
Although the advent of constitutional democracy, then complicated things for the contemporary and modern believers. For then we apply Romans 13 Romans, Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that we are ordained of God.
As Nigerians a citizen in a constitutional Democracy we the people are the authority, even if the practice has never quite lived up to the theory... Thus we are in a curious position relative to most of Christian history . We are called to yield to authority yet we also wield authority.
What does this means for the practice of voting?
It means that Christians in a Democracy live under an authority that formally solicit our view of the God life.
Does my vote even matter ???
The first thing to say about such objective is that it's an odd way to think about doing anything with a communal system
Finally, voting as a political participator is a way of telling our Neighbors - Believers and non believers alike - that we are one committed to a vision of the good life. We care about their well-being, even on issues that are committed to eternal matters. For politics concerns decisions that contributed to a free society on which people can worship, Evangelize, provide food for the hungry and clothing to the naked, schools for the learning, and justice for the poor.
Our father in heaven knows we need these things too, and he uses our actions in the voting booth.
As Nigeria's Election Draws near we urge all Christians to get their p.v.c as we seek Divine guidance toward our Decission
Come 2023
My vote must count
And Nigeria my country will Rise again.
God bless the Church
God bless Nigeria
God bless the world
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