Disturbed

I received a forward in my e-mail account today that left me utterly disturbed for the people of God in this nation. Though I usually stay clear of all political issues, zeal for Christ Himself does not allow me to refuse to speak out against this type of agenda exercised in His name. As such, here is the forward (commentary and Scriptural additions mine).
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Should Christians respect Obama?
This fellow was on Dr. Charles Stanley's program "In Touch" as a guest speaker.. I almost shouted "HALLELUJAH" when I finished reading. Enjoy or discard...it's your choice.

Dr. David Barton is more of a historian than a Biblical speaker, but very famous for his knowledge of historical facts as well as Biblical truths.

Dr. David Barton - on Obama
Respect the Office? Yes.
Respect the Man in the Office? No, I am sorry to say. (David respected Saul as King, even though Saul was trying to kill him and prevent the declared plan of God. Also, how does this live out 1 Peter 2: 17?)

I have noted that many elected officials, both Democrats and Republicans, called upon America to unite behind Obama. Well, I want to make it clear to all who will listen that I AM NOT uniting behind Obama ! I will respect the Office which he holds, and I will acknowledge his abilities as an orator and wordsmith and pray for him, BUT that is it. I have begun today to see what I can do to make sure that he is a one-term President !

Why am I doing this?
It is because:
- I do not share Obama's vision or value system for America; (pretty sure the early Christians did not share the same vision or value system as the Roman Empire either. You don't see them disrespecting the authorities that God put in place. They kept their focus on a kingdom that was yet to come!!!)
- I do not share his Abortion beliefs; (Neither do I. And that's why I have an obligation to pray, to support teens and unwed mothers who are pregnant, and maybe even to adopt some unwanted children.)
- I do not share his radical Marxist's concept of re-distributing wealth; (Funny that Jesus did. The book of Acts tells us that within the early church, they all shared and gave to the common good so that none among them were poor.)
- I do not share his stated views on raising taxes on those who make $150,000+ (the ceiling has been changed three times since August); (Why not? Do you need to live off more than that?)
- I do not share his view that America is arrogant; (Is that even possible?! We arrogantly drive gas-guzzling cars despite knowing that the gas we use goes to support nations where many among the populace hate us. We believe our individual rights always trump common good. We try to force our agenda and political system on every nation that we can. Far worse still, most of us think we don't need a Savior because we'll be just fine before God on our own. Not arrogant?!?!)
- I do not share his view that America is not a Christian Nation; (Depends on which view of history you were taught. Was America formed by deist (not even necessarily Christian) Europeans or was America formed long before that by tribes of native Americans?)
- I do not share his view that the military should be reduced by 25%; (Jesus preached to turn the other cheek. We do not find him taking a tank into the city of Jerusalem. We find Him riding a donkey. We don't find Him calling down fire from heaven upon the Pharisees. We see Him humbly dying on a criminal's cross. Where does our love for military come in? We are called to be peacemakers.)
- I do not share his view of amnesty and giving more to illegals than our American Citizens who need help; (Does Jesus see American versus Mexican versus Pakistani? The kingdom of God includes all tongues, tribes, and nations. Just as there will be no male/female, jew or gentile in the kingdom of God, we are called to a unity that far overrules manmade national borders.)
- I do not share his views on homosexuality and his definition of marriage; (I do not agree with his views on this either, but he represents our culture and our country as well as the depravity of the lost. Should this surprise us? Also, maybe we should pray first to honor marriage in the church as we see that our 50% divorce rate and high percentage of those committing adultery does not honor God's definition of marriage either.)
- I do not share his views that Radical Islam is our friend and Israel is our enemy who should give up any land; (Ephesians 6 tells us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the powers and principalities. Have we forgotten this? Members of radical Islam are not our enemies. Satan is. In regards to Israel, though the Lord did give them the land, He also had a lot to say about how they treated the aliens within it and judging from the prophets, God would not be pleased by many of their oppressive strategies to keep order apart from pleading for the protection of their God.)
- I do not share his spiritual beliefs (at least the ones he has made public);
- I do not share his beliefs on how to re-work the healthcare system in America; (Where does Scripture give us permission to disrespect and slander someone because we disagree with their views on how to solve a problem? I work in the healthcare system and I can tell you one thing. Re-working the healthcare system is impossible until the Lord reworks the hearts of the people in this nation. Doesn't really matter what your view on re-working it is.)
- I do not share his strategic views of the Middle East; and
- I certainly do not share his plan to sit down with terrorist regimes such as Iran... (Has our national security become an idol that has far superceded Christ? Does Christ define some people as terrorists while the rest of us are "decent folk"? No. We are all horrible wretches that could be accused of far worse crimes against a perfect, holy God than any radical terrorist regime could be accused of on our behalf. Also, are we still fixated on people as our enemy rather than the devil?)

Bottom line: My America is vastly different from Obama's, and I have a higher obligation to my Country and my GOD to do what is Right! (what does God see as our obligation on behalf of our country that we sojourn in? After all, He has made it clear it is not our home and we are to live as aliens here!) For eight (8) years, the Liberals in our Society, led by numerous entertainers who would have no platform and no real credibility but for their celebrity status, have attacked President Bush, his family, and his spiritual beliefs! They have not moved toward the center in their beliefs and their philosophies, and they never came together nor compromised their personal beliefs for the betterment of our Country! (Nor did the conservative right. Ever.)

They have portrayed my America as a land where everything is tolerated except being intolerant! They have been a vocal and irreverent minority for years! They have mocked and attacked the very core values so important to the founding and growth of our Country! They have made every effort to remove the name of GOD or Jesus Christ from our Society! (Is God not powerful enough to deal with this? Does He need our help to fight on His behalf?!) They have challenged capital punishment, the right to bear firearms, and the most basic principles of our criminal code! (We believe abortion is wrong because it is taking a life, but we firmly support the death penalty? And why are we, the peacemakers, so attached to bearing firearms anyway?) They have attacked one of the most fundamental of all freedoms- the right of free speech! (Christ laid down His rights and He calls His people to do the same. Should we be "fighting for our rights"?)

Unite behind Obama? Never!!! I am sure many of you who read this think that I am going overboard, but I refuse to retreat one more inch in favor of those whom I believe are the embodiment of Evil!

PRESIDENT BUSH made many mistakes during his Presidency, and I am not sure how history will judge him. However, I believe that he weighed his decisions in light of the long established Judeo-Christian principles of our Founding Fathers!!!

Majority rules in America , and I will honor the concept; however, I will fight with all of my power to be a voice in opposition to Obama and his "goals for America ."

I am going to be a thorn in the side of those who, if left unchecked, will destroy our Country!! Any more compromise is more defeat! I pray that the results of this election will wake up many who have sat on the sidelines and allowed the Socialist-Marxist anti-GOD crowd to slowly change so much of what has been good in America!
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I used to identify myself with the Christian right- until I really looked into Scripture and saw that no matter which side of our political spectrum you fall, there are Biblical truths that both support and refute your ability to fall there as a kingdom person. I am not a liberal. Nor am I a conservative. I seek a kingdom that looks nothing like either one. I am grieved when either side uses the name of Christ as a platform for a worldly political agenda.

I plead with you, dear Christian friends, to consider Scripture and consider Christ before you jump on board with a political agenda that claims His name. May zeal for Christ and His kingdom- not for any political party or agenda- mark our lives. Please reflect on one thing in regards to your political leanings--- if I were to ask 10 people who knew you to describe you, would I be more apt to hear about Christ or about whether you are a democrat or republican? What flag do you pledge allegiance to- Christ or the nation? Because one thing can be guaranteed, if you think you can pledge allegiance to both, the time is coming (and is, in fact, already HERE) when you have to make a choice. No worldly political party represents the interests of Christ and to make it seem as such is deception. A lost world is watching for a definition of Christ's kingdom. What definition are they seeing in what you and I support (or refuse to support)? Are they seeing these Biblical truths?:

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. [Romans 13: 1-2]

Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. [1 Peter 2: 13-14]

And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. [Hebrews 11: 13-16]