8-8-2023
Religion and Politics
Do you ever wonder what two topics can stir up division, hate and love all at the same time and at the drop of a hat, maybe it is because they are one and the same?
Religion tends to bind the follower to the letter of the law or teachings of a church, denomination or order. Violating those teachings can lead to expulsion and banishment or imprisonment, and even separating families. Politics can have the same effect. It has been said that every coin has two sides and for those who have chosen the other side the consequences can be very different.
When God sent his Son, Jesus, into the world it was much the same as it is today. God’s chosen people of Israel were in double bondage to the religious leaders and to the Roman governor and his occupying army. It could be even worse if one happened to be a servant.
It was expected that when the Messiah came he would free God’s chosen people from all oppression and life would be infinitely and immediately better.
When Jesus began his ministry on earth he told everyone, “The Son of man came to seek and save the lost.” Luke 19:10 and after 3 short years it was the religious leaders who turned Jesus over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified. It was so disheartening and disappointing for Jesus’ followers and yet God’s chosen people were still under the yoke of religious leaders and Rome.
Before Jesus ascended into Heaven he told his disciples “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:3-4 NIV
Today the world is in exactly the same place, under bondage to religion and politics. Every nation answers to religious and political leaders and people are in virtual servitude (bondage if you will) to jobs or government programs often administered by religious organizations claiming to help, but in many cases seeking to extend or expand their outreach to others.
Religion says adhere to our doctrine. Politics says we are here for your benefit.
All religion and all political parties promise the same thing and will take their followers to exactly the same place – and it’s not Heaven. The wages of sin is death.
One-on-One Relationship with Jesus offers eternal life and is the only way to Heaven.
Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6
It is up to us to recognize our sinful nature and ask God for forgiveness and then turn away from sin to follow Jesus. – RTM
The Real Truckmaster 