Is Bush a Christian? Look at his fruit!
The Bush/Cheney Campaign has been urging Christian churches to campaign for their candidates using the churches to promote Bush for President. This is endangering those churches' tax exempt status because IRS law prohibits tax exempt organizations from actively participating in political campaigns. As a Christian I must think about what Jesus would say about all this. This is not only a violation of law, but also a violation of Christ's teachings:
When Jesus asked if it was right to pay taxes, he asked whose likeness was on the money. In that case it was Caesar's. Jesus responded "Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's, but render unto God what is God's." Whose likeness is on our money? Presidents of US and other famous US Government people like Franklin, Hamilton and Chase. That is true of the money that is in the hands of Christian churches as well. Shouldn't they follow Jesus' command to render unto the US Government what is the Us Government's, but render unto God what is God's (such as their time and efforts when they are in church)?
I am not saying that church members should give up being active members of our nation, and participating in political activities, but it sounds to me that Jesus wanted church time to be spent worshiping God, and not Bush. When Jesus found people engaging in non-religious activities in the Temple (those buying and selling animals for sacrifice), he overturned the tables, and threw them out. Damning them for turning the House of God into a Den of Thieves.
Some ask, "Who would Jesus vote for?" I would say that while in the House of God, Jesus wouldn't vote for or campaign for anyone. He would insist that time and energy spent in God's House be devoted solely to God, and God alone. Outside the church is another matter, but churches and congregations should not be used as campaign tools. If leaders of Christian churches can't understand that, then they don't seem to be following the commandments of Jesus, and isn't that what Christians are supposed to do?
Jesus also said that we will know someone by the fruit that they bear (meaning by their actions). A fig tree will bear figs. A thorn bush will not. "By their fruit you will know them," Jesus said. Look at the fruit of church leaders and members who while in the House of God, work not to praise God, but to re-elect a man, Bush. Look at the fruit of the man, Bush, who entices them to spend their time and efforts while in church to re-elect him rather than to give honor and glory to God. Look at these fruits, and follow Jesus' teachings to determine if these people are following Jesus. The answer will be obvious.
When Jesus asked if it was right to pay taxes, he asked whose likeness was on the money. In that case it was Caesar's. Jesus responded "Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's, but render unto God what is God's." Whose likeness is on our money? Presidents of US and other famous US Government people like Franklin, Hamilton and Chase. That is true of the money that is in the hands of Christian churches as well. Shouldn't they follow Jesus' command to render unto the US Government what is the Us Government's, but render unto God what is God's (such as their time and efforts when they are in church)?
I am not saying that church members should give up being active members of our nation, and participating in political activities, but it sounds to me that Jesus wanted church time to be spent worshiping God, and not Bush. When Jesus found people engaging in non-religious activities in the Temple (those buying and selling animals for sacrifice), he overturned the tables, and threw them out. Damning them for turning the House of God into a Den of Thieves.
Some ask, "Who would Jesus vote for?" I would say that while in the House of God, Jesus wouldn't vote for or campaign for anyone. He would insist that time and energy spent in God's House be devoted solely to God, and God alone. Outside the church is another matter, but churches and congregations should not be used as campaign tools. If leaders of Christian churches can't understand that, then they don't seem to be following the commandments of Jesus, and isn't that what Christians are supposed to do?
Jesus also said that we will know someone by the fruit that they bear (meaning by their actions). A fig tree will bear figs. A thorn bush will not. "By their fruit you will know them," Jesus said. Look at the fruit of church leaders and members who while in the House of God, work not to praise God, but to re-elect a man, Bush. Look at the fruit of the man, Bush, who entices them to spend their time and efforts while in church to re-elect him rather than to give honor and glory to God. Look at these fruits, and follow Jesus' teachings to determine if these people are following Jesus. The answer will be obvious.
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