I understand we are not a "theocracy" as Israel was, but there are some principles and types/shadows in how God dealt with/spoke of Israel and their focus on "give us a king like all the other nations" & God's thoughts on such a matter. Don't waste time explaining how we aren't Israel, how we are part of a "democracy" (which is inaccurate anyways - ours is a Republic form of government), etc. Save it cause I'm fully aware of that, but there are some principles we can glean from. God wanted Israel, His chosen people in the OT, to fully trust in Him as King, but they refused and insisted on a "more natural" set-up like the nations around them, who knew not God. God wants us, spiritual Israel (the Body of Christ), to not put our hope/faith/trust in earthly politicians, leaders, governments, countries, but in Him alone. God wanted Israel to not trust in the arm of the flesh, their military might, or their history to defend herself, and God wants us not to trust in our military, our constitution, and our history to defend/protect ourselves. God's Word Says that "what Soldier entangles himself in civilian affairs? He Tries to please his commanding officer". In the same way, God wants His soldiers in the spiritual battle for men's souls (an eternal kingdom that the prophets from Jeremiah to Jesus spoke of, everlasting in the Heavenlies), & not to waste time, energy, effort, and their hearts/faith/trust/hope in worldly kingdoms, kings, and carnal battles that will all be shown to amount to nothing but the frivolity of carnal men's carnal minds at the judgement seat. God still anointed Kings (like David) to govern Israel, but these were men truly after God's own heart to lead. It wasn't God's perfect will (from a viewpoint of His desire - as He already spoke to them to not desire a King, but trust in Him alone), but in His permissive will which He allowed and used to teach Israel many things. In fact, He gave them to have a King in the form that they desired. Great in stature, charasmatic, talented, etc. Just what the people wanted so that the end of such a craving could be played out to show the fruit of such carnal longings. When He brought David to power, He was a smaller, more conspicuous, less charismatic, humble shepherd boy, so that aged could show that man looks with different eyes. Man looks at the outward, while God sees into the heart. While their situation is different, their government is different, their covenant was different, etc., there are principles, examples, and types/shadows in these dealings for our benefit even today. "These things were given to us as examples". Just as in the previous thread about Romney's Mormonisim, voting, etc. I'll say this: if the Lord speaks to you to vote for someone, by all means, we should do whatever the Lord commands. But otherwise, we are to be a people led by the Spirit. In love, I'm not sure doing things with the intent purpose of "going against the grain" to prove my freedom in Christ is what the Lord had in mind. I don't think that's a Biblically valid approach. Some people feel they can't drink wine, so I drink it just to prove I can that's actually the opposite of what Paul says in reference to such freedoms (I enjoy a glass of wine myself on an occasion, so don't think I'm saying you can't have any freedom), but I'm referring to the heart issue of motives and "why" we do/don't do what we choose. That's what Jesus did. He took the acton past the doing to the motive intent of the heart. Anyways, I will not vote until the Lord tells me to. Like I have said before, your choices are a possible Muslim/"christian" (in name only) socialist who loves abortion or a Mormon who used to love the right to abort babies when he was in a democratic state, but now has backed off some now that his "political in-road" is as the republican candidate. These are the choices for a follower of God. This proves to me that the Lord is trying to show His Bride in these days the frivolity of getting caught up in this earthly battle and not just putting our hope trust and faith in God, His kingdom, the soon 2nd coming of Christ, the preaching of the Gospel to the ends of the earth, the growth in the inner man that comes only by the Holy Spirit's work on the inner man in prayer, the reading of the Word, fasting (at times), and allowing the Lord to do deep, unseen, real work in the heart to change us. The principle of "I just go vote for a Mormon who changes his so called positions on abortion when it's convenient over the quasi Muslim/Christian socialist to prove that I have freedom in Christ" is not anything the scripture would support. If you think it is, please share the Word of God to support such a notion. It's a sin to do anything that is not of faith and that violates conscience. Above all that, we are to focus on the spiritual battle against spiritual wickedness in high places, be sojourners and pilgrims in a strange land, and to redeem the time for the days are evil, looking into Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, and to await eagerly His second coming when He fully establishes His eternal reign over all creation (which we who are His hold be willfully submitted to and preparing ourselves for NOW). I'm not trying to "make voting a sin". M simply asking the same question I always do that no one answers because they know the answer: 1.) Are you filled with the Holy Spirit? 2.) Did HE tell you to vote for Obama or Romney? You will tell me of your "freedom", and I will tell you that is freedom FROM THE OT LAW refeered to ino scripture, not freedom FROM being led by the Spirit, which is what we are called to in the New Covenant. As an ambassador of the Lord Jesus Christ, which one of these ungodly men of false faith are you telling me you should support with a vote? Wake up church. This is spoken in the love of Christ, God as my witness. Don't get mad or defensive, just support "how you feel", "what you think" or whatever BY THE WORD OF GOD. Who knows, you might not be right and the only way you might see the blemish/es in your thinking/heart/character, is to "look into the mirror of the perfect law of liberty" (THE WORD OF GOD), which shows/reveals error in our thinking. This should be our compass brethren/sistren, AMEN?!?!?!?! In His Love, Jeff |