Left-wing Vs Right-wing Politics

Right-wing politics appears to take the position that certain social orders and hierarchies are inevitable, natural, normal, or desirable, typically, defending this position on the basis of natural law, market based economics or tradition. The term right-wing politics generally refers to “the conservative section of a political party or system; whist the left wing politics tends to refer to the belief in equality over the freedom to fail.

Politics?

Politics is defined as the activities associated with:

(1) the governance of a country or area, and
(2) the debate between parties having power.

(1) God has set before us the example of good governance that
should be used if we are seeking to please Him as we witness the
formation of nation of Israel through the prophecy concerning the
descendants of the 12 sons of Jacob (Genesis 49). In Chapter 50 we
see one of his son’s Joseph rule Egypt through the favour and counsel of God. The template then is that those authorities that acknowledge God for who He is are to be led by Him. It was never
meant to be a political activity, as depicted now. The correct approach is
further demonstrated in the few lines found in 2 Chronicles 1:1-13
where Solomon asks for wisdom to rightfully govern the nation.

(2) The debate between political powers is a human struggle that seeks to involve non believers in a process of building a census to govern. But because the process does not acknowledge the will of God as the central issue, (Matthew 6:10), it will not normally provide a satisfactory outcome, regardless of whether the government is based in the right or left. Jesus Christ never used such references. Matthew 7:24-27

The misunderstanding about earthly authority.

The following scriptures have lead many to conclude that each government whether they are good or bad, were divinely appointed by God through man at the ballot box:

Daniel 2:21

He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.

Romans 13:2

Consequently, the one who resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

God will establish good leadership especially when they are lead by the Spirit of God and this extends to the parent/s of a home or business leaders as well as those in the public and voluntary sectors.

But the truth of humanity’s historic relationship with God is that mankind has persistently disobeyed God in every single area of life since time began and yet some believe that anytime that there is an election, that we all go to the ballot box in each nation and for that day we obey God in selecting our leaders worldwide. It is rare for God to choose a leader, with Joseph, Daniel, Saul and David being among the few notable exceptions in the old testament. Despite the spread of Christianity in the New Testament, there is no record of a national leader being appointed by God.

Those who hold the view that God has appointed each authority then conclude by saying that God instructs us to pray for kings and those in authority, but here is the whole scripture in its context:

1 Timothy 2:1-3

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,

So we are to pray for all men first, since we all have a part to play in maintaining peace in godliness. And when we pray, we should ask God how to pray for each leader, since they will have unique strengths and weaknesses.

In the same way that we obey the uniform that the police wear, God’s authority is invested in the position or office and not in the man. When the man or woman changes job, retires or dies the office remains with all of its authority intact.

The exchanges of authority through history

In the beginning, God gave the authority that He had over the earth that He created, to mankind:

Genesis 1:26

Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.”

When Eve and Adam disobeyed God, that authority passed over to Satan. Humanity rejected the guidance of God’s stewardship of the earth and in their affairs and choose self governance, which has evolved into what we now know as politics.

Here are two scriptures that support the truth that it is Satan who has the authority over most of mankind today:

2 Corinthians 4:3-4

But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

And in the following verse, Satan tries three times in succession to tempt Jesus Christ in the wilderness when He was weary:

Matthew 4:8-9

Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”

Many good leaders have overcome the first temptation only to fall at the persistence of the tempter. Be on your guard always. And never make a major decision in haste or when you are not at your best.

But God’s redemptive plan for humanity ensured that the second Adam, Jesus Christ, during the period between His Crucifixion and His resurrection restored the authority back to the heirs and children of God, who believe and reside in Christ, and in whom Christ has been allowed to take up residents:

Colossians 2:13-15

And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

Before He left, Jesus Christ charged His disciples past and present to restore that same authority back to as many others who would hear and receive the truth in the good news of The Gospel that would set them free from the influence of the kingdom of darkness:

Matthew 28:16-19

Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

A national and local solution?

The solutions to man’s problem is not political but divine.
And the struggle is not between flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12-16) but between light and darkness. (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)

Matthew 4:1-4 says this:
“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”

There is no scripture that supports the view that Christ would select one political party over the other. That would be like the creator seeking the counsel from the thing He created. (Isaiah 45:9)

Correct governance

The correct order is for us to go to God in prayer seeking to know His will and then His advice in how to establish His will on earth as it is in Heaven.

If Jesus were alive today how would He vote? Would Jesus vote for right-wing politics?

In all probability, Jesus Christ would not get involved in the politics of today.

At the time of His appearing in Israel over 2,000 years ago the Roman Empire governed and oppressed, Israel, the original people to whom God first revealed Himself, but Jesus did not intervene directly in the political processes nor did He advocate rebellion against the harsh system, even when He stood before the authorities at the end. In fact Christ said very little about it. The politics of the day were not His focus nor would He advocate it be our focus.

Should a Christian vote?

A Christian should always go to God in prayer seeking His counsel and do what He asks them to do.

All the main parties today have policies that Christ would not support. Jesus came to teach us about the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is primarily concerned with how you as an individual respond to God and what you see and hear; and less about attempting to manage corporate prosperity, even with good intensions.

Romans 14:17, “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

Luke 17:21 “Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”

Is the current government the will of God?

It can be but more often than not this is not the case. Both books of Kings and the second book in particular demonstrate that the children of God often had kings over them that did not follow the will of God. The books of kings cover a period of hundreds of years and it is not safe to assume that no one or group in Israel prayed for good and godly leadership.
The problem is with us. Either we prayed amiss (James 4:3) or we did not humble ourself diligently to seek to kwon His will. 2 Chronicles 7:14 From the beginning the intent of God was to have a direct relationship with each individual and provide for their every need. For example:

Genesis 5:23-24

So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.

Hebrews 11:5

By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; ^[a] for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

Over time Israel moved from having judges to kings and now political parties in their search for the benefits of God’s kingdom BUT WITHOUT NEEDING TO SUBMIT TO THE WILL AND TIMING OF GOD:

1Samuel 8:4-7

Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, ⁵and said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.”

But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” So Samuel prayed to the Lord. ⁷And the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.

Do nothing?

God has now empowered all of us to have the same relationship with Him that He had with Enoch when He gave us the gift of His Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost more than 2000 years ago.
So we are not advocating doing nothing to improve the life of humanity. We advocate preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ so that more of us are led by the Spirit of God. 1 Corinthians 3:16 John 14:26. Some of these will then serve God in positions of authority. And as they serve God; they will serve all humanity and not just one nation, one wing or section of society. John 3:16, Matthew 22:35-40

Will bad leaders be held accountable one day?

Isaiah 10:1-34

1Woe to those who make unjust laws,to those who issue oppressive decrees,
2to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless.
3What will you do on the day of reckoning, when disaster comes from afar? To whom will you run for help?

Luke 12:46-48

46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
47 And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
48 But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few.
For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.

Why does God permit bad political governments then?

From the beginning God gave man free will to either love one another to hate one another. That choice to act in love still remains yours today. Will you choose to serve humanity by doing good?

And yes,…….. just one man or woman can make a difference. 1 John 4:14

Amanda Gorman
Next step: Please share this worldwide. Thank you.