10 POLITICAL Things You Can't Do While Following Jesus

[MrScorpio]

by Mark Sandlin 06-12-2013 | 9:45am

In response to my last article, “10 Things You Can't Do While Following Jesus,” I was accused multiple times of being political. All I was trying to do was follow Jesus. So, I thought it'd be interesting (and generate tons more hate mail) to show what a list would actually look like if I were being political intentionally. Like the first list, this is not a complete list but it's a pretty good place to start.

There will be those who comment and send me messages berating me for “making Jesus political.” It's okay. Fire away. Jesus didn't worry much about stepping on political toes, and the Bible insists that governments be just toward the least of these (the books of the prophets alone make this point very clear). Frequently, people who are the most vocal about not making Jesus political are the same people who want prayer in school and laws based on their own religious perspectives. By a happy little circumstance that brings us to my list:

10) Force your religious beliefs and practices on others.

One of the strengths of the faith Jesus taught was in its meekness. The faith he taught valued free will over compulsion – because that's how love works. Compelling people to follow any religion, more or less your personal religion, stands over and against the way Jesus practiced his faith. If you are using the government to compel people to practice your spiritual beliefs, you might be the reason baby Jesus is crying. This does get tricky. There is a difference in letting your beliefs inform your political choices and letting your politics enforce your religion. This article is about the first part.

9) Advocate for war.

There's a reason why he was called the Prince of Peace. Sure, you can quote, “I did not come to bring peace, but a sword,” and even two or three other verses, but they don't hold a candle to the more than fifty-some verses where Jesus speaks about peace and peacemaking. It's funny how things keep coming back to love but it needs to be said, it is way far away from loving a person to kill them. I guess there's a reason why we say, “God is love.” In the end, love wins.

The Rest: http://sojo.net/blogs/2013/06/12/10-political-things-you-cant-do-while-following-jesus


It's a pretty good list, even for people who don't follow Jesus as well.

[L0oniX]

1. You also can not mix in old covenant law ...but the majority does.

They even point out that Jesus followed the old covenant and yes he did ...however everything changed after He was crucified and rose. He was not living under the new covenant ...it didn't exist yet. You can not mix the old with the new. Preachers will be quick to use the old to pressure for tithes. They will also select various old testament laws to use on people when ever they think it will give them power.