Christian Culture-continued
Christian culture as defined in a previous post: an Organization outside the church that operates according to Christian principles.
The church is called a "Holy Nation", but obviously, (I hope it's obvious), there is no one nation that is "God's Nation".
Did God ever have a chosen physical nation? (And it should be clear from the title and context that I'm speaking of the God of the Bible.) I'm glad you asked. Yes, He did indeed choose a nation from out of all the nations on earth at one time. The history of this nation is recorded in the Old Testament. God started with Abraham, and from him the nation of Israel sprung. This was an actual physical nation, not a spiritual one, though there were spiritual aspects to it. God gave Israel specific instructions concerning numerous areas of their life. He instructed them how to worship Him, how and when to plant crops and when not to plant. He directed them in warfare at differing times, sometimes telling them to go into other nations and slaughter every man, woman, child and beast. (1 Sam.15)
What would a New Testament earthly nation look like? It would be a country whose people would lay down their lives for one another, and for those in other countries. It would feed and cloth the poor. It would be known for truthfulness, for giving, for loving not only our neighbor, but also our enemies. (Matt. 5) It would strive to live in peace with all men, would not repay evil with evil, would not avenge itself. (Rom. 12)
In short, a Christian nation is something you're not going to see until the return of Christ when He sets up His kingdom and rules it; and it will be not a national rule, but a world wide rule. Christians are "a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues"...(Rev. 7:9)
No human ruler, president or otherwise will ever be able to bring about the rule of God on this earth. As the church, from around the world, we are to live as lights in the midst of darkness.
The church is called a "Holy Nation", but obviously, (I hope it's obvious), there is no one nation that is "God's Nation".
Did God ever have a chosen physical nation? (And it should be clear from the title and context that I'm speaking of the God of the Bible.) I'm glad you asked. Yes, He did indeed choose a nation from out of all the nations on earth at one time. The history of this nation is recorded in the Old Testament. God started with Abraham, and from him the nation of Israel sprung. This was an actual physical nation, not a spiritual one, though there were spiritual aspects to it. God gave Israel specific instructions concerning numerous areas of their life. He instructed them how to worship Him, how and when to plant crops and when not to plant. He directed them in warfare at differing times, sometimes telling them to go into other nations and slaughter every man, woman, child and beast. (1 Sam.15)
What would a New Testament earthly nation look like? It would be a country whose people would lay down their lives for one another, and for those in other countries. It would feed and cloth the poor. It would be known for truthfulness, for giving, for loving not only our neighbor, but also our enemies. (Matt. 5) It would strive to live in peace with all men, would not repay evil with evil, would not avenge itself. (Rom. 12)
In short, a Christian nation is something you're not going to see until the return of Christ when He sets up His kingdom and rules it; and it will be not a national rule, but a world wide rule. Christians are "a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues"...(Rev. 7:9)
No human ruler, president or otherwise will ever be able to bring about the rule of God on this earth. As the church, from around the world, we are to live as lights in the midst of darkness.
posted by Bob | 14.10.05
2 Comments:
I couldn't agree with you more. Today, I was stirred to think about the definitions of 'christianese' words such as - wicked, heathen, ungodly. These words often conjure up notions of resentment in me/us Christians toward those that are not Christ-like. Instead of showing love, it seems like we shun those that we can label and embrace the like minded.
exactly...Christianity isn't a nation specifice Way...It's a means of reconciliation to God without respect to race or nations. Though some obviously try to use it as a means to political gain; there's judgement waiting...
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