First off lets get something straight. I reject conservatism as being Godly in any way. I find it to be a fleshly attribute based upon a persons selfishness. I see no evidence of Christ in conservatism and I plan to expose why by using Bible verses. I welcome conservatives to proof their conservatism by using Bible verses to show where we are told by Christ in The New Testament to be conservatives in Him.
I'll go to Matthew and use verses from his Gospel of Christ to enlighten and proof Christs liberating Love for us while rejecting the conservative Pharisitical political religion of the Pharisees. But first a little education regarding judging since so many people like to use Matthew 7:1-6
Think about what is being said and not what you as an individual want to hear regarding these verses. Jesus Christ is The Lord, the Son of God, and He is speaking of judging not as one who does not know Him. But in regards to we who do know Him and how we are supposed to come to our decisions. Our judgements are to be based upon the word of God, not our flesh, because when we judge others we are placing that type of judgement upon ourselves. So when we say something regarding anothers behavior in respect to it being acceptable to God we should consider what God says not what our flesh says.
Matthew 7:1-6
7 "Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, Let me remove the speck from your eye; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. 6 "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.
I saw this used as a judgement against liberals in an article and wondered if the writer even understood what judgement he was placing upon himself. The writer said we liberals applaud abortions and he was tying it into the deaths of the 20 children murdered in Conn.
Now I have yet to see a bunch of liberals getting together and cheering for the death of an unborn child. What is there some secret meeting place where liberals congregate to cheer each abortion and say I can't wait for the next one ?? Can you see how stupid that sounds ?? Yet he had "conservatives" agreeing with him. Of course he only used verses 3,4, and 5. Kind of leaves out the parameters of the whole context of the complete verses. But then again many "conservatives" do that because it is the way they can take the Bible verses out of context to show a conservative bend, when in actuallity they are ignoring the Truth of the verses and trying to make them fit their political beliefs, instead of making their political beliefs conform to the Bible verses.
From the Nelson Bible study:
7:1 This restriction does not mean that a disciple never judges. After all, some kind of judgment is required in order to obey the command in v. 6. The point of this verse is that a Christian should not have a spirit of carping criticism and fault-finding.
7:2 Every judgment that a person makes becomes a basis for his or her own judgment (see James 3:1, 2).
7:6 and swine refer to people who are enemies of the gospel, as opposed to those who are merely unbelievers. Such enemies are to be left alone (see 15:14; 2 Cor. 6:14). One example of such a person was Herod Antipas, who heard John gladly (see Mark 6:20), but then beheaded him (see 14:1; Mark 6:14; Luke 9:7). Later when Christ stood before Herod, He said nothing (see Luke 23:8, 9). In the context of this verse, Herod had become a "dog" or a "pig." Dogs
Many people gladly heard Jesus Christ speak and then called out for His being crucified. Many people claim Jesus Christ as their Lord but do not follow Him. They instead listen to the flesh peddlers who say wealth and conservatism, or liberalism and believing that there is no punishment by a loving God, will see them through and Jesus Christ still loves them. Yes Jesus Christ does still love them, and He will continue to love them even as they are turned away from His salvation because they are His enemies, and they will be left alone by Him. So they will never again be in His presence, because they chose not to accept His Way.
Matthew 7:13-14
13 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
These two verses to me show just how hard it is for people to see that Jesus Christ is a narrow gate to enter into. People love to quote the Old Testament as if to justify their following the laws will somehow make them acceptable to Christ. Jesus Christ is the narrow gate and everything else is the broad path including trying to follow all the laws because if you break just one you are guilty and cannot enter into the gate of Heaven.
"Conservatives" will rant and rave about abortion but openly accept greed as being acceptable. "They" have no problem condemning people of different skin colors, and claiming that because of their skin colors they are not Christians but must believe in something else.
Many believe they are defending God's word when they deny people the right to live as they will although the people were Created by God and not them. So as such they are under His plan not theirs. Now that may seem as if I'm saying that I believe in allowing sin to go unchallenged. Not at all. Say your piece then allow the people to choose who they will follow. Because we must each decide which gate we will seek to enter into.
So again I do not see anything in this verse that says to be a conservative. I do see where it says to follow Jesus Christ and not let the things of the world or flesh lead you astray to the wide gate of destruction. I think one must be liberated by Christ and be in The Holy Spirit to know that the narrow gate is Jesus Christ and not some set of rules one must follow to be worthy.
Matthew 7:15-20
15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
As I have said many times by our fruit you will know us. Have I not backed my beliefs with His word since I say it is Him I follow ?? Do I not always say it is through Christ we are saved and not by our political parties ?? Do I state that I believe that "liberals" have a better understanding because we believe in being free to chose as Christ says we must, yes I do. Do I say that you must be a liberal to be saved ?? NO !!!! Do I personally believe that as one becomes more familiar with Christ and His teachings one becomes more liberal because we know that He is The Way ?? Yes I personally believe that.
Because for one to become more conservative to me means one wants to exclude those who Christ would include and died for. In other words I didn't die and save people in my name, He did and it is in His Name we are saved. So I want people to know His Love because He is the One who did it all and gave us Life in Him as His Father sent Him to do.
From the Nelson Bible study:
7:15 Beware of false prophets: Deuteronomy 13:1; 18:20 provide information on discerning and responding to false prophets. The way to tell false teachers from teachers of truth is by their fruits. Fruits here refers to more than their deeds; it includes their doctrine (see 16:12; 1 John 4:1). A person speaking in the name of God is to be tested by the doctrines of Scripture. The same principle still holds true today. Speakers and teachers should be tested against the truths in God's Word (see Jude 3; Rev. 22:18, 19).
I use His doctrine not that of any political party. That is why so many "conservatives" get angry with me because I use the very Book they claim to follow to proof them. "They" cannot come up with the verses to show where their conservatism is accepted by Christ as being His Way. They have a lot of doctrines of men but we are warned against following the false doctrines of men over following the doctrines of God.
Matthew 7:21-23
21 "Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? 23 And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!
Just remember that satan is a deceiver and he has powers to deceive those who are not of Christ and make them believe they are of Him based on the falseness of their beliefs in Who Christ is. Jesus Christ is the One Who changes us. We do not change Who He is, He changes who we are. We become brand new in Him. So beware of people who claim to do miracles in His name such as fake healers, Benny Hinn is one who comes to mind as he claims many things but doesn't know Christ at all based upon what he does and says about Him. By our teachings and doctrines you will know who are His and who are not His. But one must study and be aware because many false prophets and teachers are out to get your money and your vote to control you.
From the Nelson Bible study:
7:21 Because so many people teach the wrong way, there is a tendency to ask how so many people could be wrong. Such doubts are especially strong when false teachers prophesy, cast out demons, and perform wonders in Jesus' name. However, it is important to remember that the Word of God is superior to any miracle.
How many times have we heard the wealthy say that God must want them to be wealthy because they have wealth ?? Yet in the New Testament Jesus Christ warns continually about the Love of money and how money can separate one from God because money and the love of it becomes the god t0hey love. Money of itself is not good or bad, it is what one is willing to do for it as well as what one is willing to do to other people in order to have more then them that takes the peoples eyes off Christ and places it upon the things of the world such as money and power to control people for the wealthy's gain.
Matthew 11:25-30
25 At that time Jesus answered and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. 26 Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. 27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
We have to remember the Jews had the Old Testament and they were always trying to trip Jesus Christ up through their understanding of it instead of learning from His teaching of the meaning of it. Thus you have the "wise and prudent" who thought they knew the scriptures but were blind to Who Christ was and is. Then you have the babes who longed for the understanding because they knew from somewhere in their hearts that mans way was not God's Way. They were brought to His light by Him. They knew that God had a plan because it is from Genesis through Malachi that Christ was foretold and His Way is of God.
From the Nelson Bible study:
11:28 You who labor and are heavy laden describes the Jews as suffering under a load of religious responsibilities laid on them by priests, rabbis, scribes, and Pharisees (see 23:4; Acts 15:10). Rest is relief from this burden.
You see the comparisons to the heavy load that the "conservative christians" wish to place upon those who are in Christ ?? They want to be like the scribes, priests, rabbis, and Pharisees. See once the "leaders" had to give up being the ones who were looked up to for living in God's Way they would lose control of the sin filled ways they taught and proffited by. Look at many in the church's and corporate structures today and compare their behaviors.
Matthew 12:31-37
31 "Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come. 33 "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. 34 Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
What have I tried to share in most of my time here on the Vine except that God's Love is above all else. His Love is Divine and is His Spirit within us. To deny that is to deny that we are Gods and That His Spirit is leading us. The treasure of my heart is God's Love, for without that I'm an empty vessel. God's Holy Spirit does indeed fill me with His Love and I'm humbled and fortified by It. I do not claim the wealth of this world is my god, nor do I say that a large house is my god, nor a fancy car, nor a big bank account,... For all of those things are of the world are passing and will not matter in regards to being found worthy of going to heaven. What I gave to others in Christ will matter as I have received Him as my King and I'm to serve others not myself. I see the "conservatives" as thinking that their wealth, power, and position are what is important and setting earthly laws that allow them to gain all they can here is their goal. This has been shown by their refusal to want to provide health care to the children and elderly.
Luke 10:29-37
29 But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" 30 Then Jesus answered and said: "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you. 36 So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?" 37 And he said, "He who showed mercy on him."
Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
Please tell me after reading all these scriptures, how you can say that conservatism is of Christ ??
From the Nelson Bible study:
10:29 Luke makes it clear that the lawyer was trying to place himself in the position of satisfying the highest demands of the Law. who is my neighbor: This question was an attempt to limit the demands of the Law by suggesting that some people are neighbors while others are not. The lawyer was looking for minimal obedience while Jesus was looking for absolute obedience.
10:30 This was a 17 mile journey on a road known to harbor many robbers. They would hide in caves along the way and attack their victims. Jerusalem to Jericho:
10:33 Part of the beauty of the story of the Good Samaritan is the reversal of stereotypes. The priest and Levite traditionally would have been the "good guys." The Samaritan would have been a "bad guy," a person who compromised in religious matters. However, the Samaritan knew how to treat his neighbor. The neighbor here was not someone the Samaritan knew or even someone of the same race, just someone in need.
10:34 was used to soothe wounds. Wine was used as a disinfectant. Oil
10:35 The Samaritan, if he paid a typical rate of one-twelfth of a denarius a day, paid for 24 days at the inn. two denarii . . . I will repay:
10:36 The central issue is not determining who one's neighbor is, but being a good neighbor to all. which . . . was neighbor:
10:37 The lawyer apparently could not bring himself to say "Samaritan" and lend credence to the surprising reversal of stereotypes in the story. He who showed mercy:
Just so the conservatives understand the man paid for a 24 day stay and said he would pay more and he obviously was well off enough to do so. Also the false religious ones didn't want to help the man at all. They passed on the other side to avoid him. So again I see in the New Testament a more liberal belief systenm that says Christ Loves us so we must Love others and do as He did if we are to consider ourselves in Him.
Please vote for this if you agree and comment so we can have a discussion.
I'd really like to see some scriptures from those on the conservative side that they think justify their beliefs in conservatism as being of Christ. Because I honestly do not see it. I see conservatism as a return to the Old Testament ways where one had to follow the laws and make sacrifices for the sins done. Please tell me how you atone for your sin as Christ has already died once and does not have to die each time you sin in order to save you as it was in the time of the law you had to spill blood to cover the sin.
Remember Moses was kept from crossing the Jordan river because he struck the Rock twice when God said to only strike it once for water. That was a picture of Christ being struck and giving us His living water. He only needed to do it once and it is finished as He said on the cross.
Thanks for reading this.
