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Richard,
To be concise, He didn't allow the world to squeeze him into it's mold.
1 John 5:15-17 NWT throws some light on this "Do not be loving either
the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the
love of the Father is not in him; because everything in this world -
the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the showy
display of one's means of life - does not originate with the Father,
but originates with the world. Furthermore, the world is passing away
and so it's desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever."
Additionally, many look to worldly politicians to solve mankinds
problems, however the Bible indicates that it is only God's kingdom
that will bring peace and an end to suffering and injustice that we
see today (compare Matthew 6:9,10) and it will replace all the man
made worldly governments (Daniel 2:44). Therefore, to be no part of
the world is to follow Jesus' example of being neutral when it comes
to worldly politics, as seen by his fleeing when the people wanted to
make him king (John 6:15). He could have reasoned that he might have
reached more people as and earthly king, but he refused political
office.
Here are some comments from historians on how the the early Christians
imitated Jesus' example of neutrality:
"Eary Christianity was little understood and was regarded with
little favor by those who ruled the pagan world... Christians
refused to share certain duties of Roman citizens... They would
not hold political office." - On the Road to Civilization, A
World History (Philadelphia, Chicago, etc.; 1937) Albert K
Heckel and James G Sigman, pp 237,238.
"Zealous Christians did not serve in the armed forces or accept
political offices." World History, The Story of Man's Achievements
(River Forest Ill.; 1962) Habberton, Roth and Spears, p117.
"While among Romans it was considered the highest honor to possess
the privileges of Roman citizenship, the Christians anounced that
they were citizens of heaven. They shrank from public office and
military service." 'Persecution of the Christians in Gaul, AD 177'
by F.P.G. Guizot, former prime minister of France, vol III of The
Great Events by Famous Historians (New York; 1905), Rosssiter Johnson,
ed., p246.
"The Christians were strangers and pilgrims in the world around them;
their citizenship was in heaven; the kingdom to which they looked
was not of this world, The consequent want of interest in public
affairs came thus from the outset to be a noticeable feature of
Christianity." Christianity and the Roman Government (London; 1925)
E.G. Hardy, Principal of Jesus college, Oxford, p39.
"The Christians stood aloof and distinct from the state, as a priestly
and spiritual race, and Christianity seemed able to influence civil
life only in that manner which, it must be confessed, is the purest,
by practically endeavouring to instil more and more of holy feeling
into the citizens of the state." The History of the Christian Religion
and Church, During the First Three Centuries (New York; 1848),
Dr Augustus Neander, translated from the German by H. J. Rose, p168.
These quotations are compiled in a book called "Make Sure of All
Things Hold Fast to What is Fine" p353-354 under the subheading
'Early Christians avoided all political involvement'. They help
one to see how they interpretted Jesus' command to be no part of
the world.
Phil.
BTW Mattew 6:9,10 NWT reads "You must pray, then, this way: '"Our
Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified. Let your kingdom
come. Let your will take place as in heaven, also upon earth."
Daniel 2:44 NWT "And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will
set up a kingdom that will not be brought to ruin. And the kingdom
itself will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and
put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times
indefinite;"
John 6:15 NWT "Therefore Jesus, knowing they were about to come and
sieze him to make him king, withdrew again into the mountain alone."
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Re: .01 Phil
> 1 John 5:15-17 NWT throws some light on this "Do not be loving either
> the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the
> love of the Father is not in him; because everything in this world -
> the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the showy
> display of one's means of life - does not originate with the Father,
> but originates with the world. Furthermore, the world is passing away
> and so it's desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever."
But the same John wrote:
"For God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten son..."
I think Jesus was simply saying: "I am on top of things", just as
you or I might say "I haved mastered my job" or "I have myself
under control."
Greetings, Derek
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RE: <<< Note 996.2 by VNABRW::BUTTON "Another day older and deeper in debt" >>>
-< On top of it all. >-
> But the same John wrote:
> "For God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten son..."
Yes He did. And much of that world, for whom He gave His only begotten
son, out and out rejected Him to persue their own sinful interests.
Jesus overcame that world and its sinful persuits.
> I think Jesus was simply saying: "I am on top of things", just as
> you or I might say "I haved mastered my job" or "I have myself
> under control."
I believe He was saying..."folks, this ol' world is a real mess..I love
them, but they don't love me, and they aren't going to love you..but,
I have overcome it, and you can too, through me."
Jim
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