Window or Mirror?

With a socialist potentially being elected to the most powerful post in this nation, there has been an outcry from those involved in modern independence movements (among whom I might count myself), and there have also been some ridiculous statements made by those with socialist agendas (like the title of this post). Because of the fear associated with this change and the misunderstanding – on the part of quite a few – of the nature of God, what He desires, and how that relates to us, I thought to write this post.

You see, everything that happens here, either happens because God wants it to, or God allows it to happen and then uses it for His good. Just because we can’t seem to figure out how it could be “good for us” doesn’t mean it isn’t. God is frightfully wise compared to us.

Instead of looking at the death to which we are bound here, and then trying to draw some conclusions about what God might be like and what He might want, we must shed our view of this ‘reality’, realize that we are only strangers here, and read Scripture to get a view of what God desires and what God wants; regardless our condition here. Looking at what’s around us and drawing conclusions about God is much like a deep-sea dwelling creature believing that the entire world is covered with water, because his local area is. That creature’s view is understandably narrow, and so is ours. God has a frame of reference that is eternal and complete, and He’s given us a view into it through His word. Let’s investigate what God says about how to live and how to govern…

How Should we Live?
First, let’s look at how God asks us to live, individually, before looking at what God has to say about governance. Since we will be standing in front of the throne alone, answering for ourselves, and Christ saves us individually, it makes sense to look at our lives from an individual perspective.

Leviticus 19:18 and Mark 12: 29-31 both give us the “greatest commandment”, stating that we should love the Lord our God with all our heart and love our neighbor as ourselves. In our Western society, which has been recently built on ‘having things’ and ‘doing what I want’, it is almost unthinkable to set ourselves aside for anyone, let alone all of our fellow men.  For instance, 2 Cor 8:1 begins a section on how sacrificial giving is one way that we can tell we love someone. There are many examples and statements in the Bible about how to carry out this love for our neighbors, but – in summary – they all involve not doing anything to their detriment, being there when you are needed, and setting yourself aside for them. That last one really is the ‘gotcha’, isn’t it?

I feel a statement on the word “love” is needed here, as modern society didn’t stop when they redefined “freedom” as “doing what I want” and “independence” as “wanton selfishness is ok”, we’ve also redefined the word “love” to mean “a fluffy good feeling about anything anybody does and considering all actions and lifestyles equal”. Deut 7:7 talks about love being a ‘choosing’ of the people of Israel, and we know that the Lord tested them, punished them, challenged them, and changed them. Prov 8:17 talks about reciprocal love, that the Lord loves those who seek Him. Prov 13:24 is the infamous ‘rod and child’ verse that seems to indicate that love involves training and that this call for training is certainly higher than the call to allow children to live as they like. Hosea 9:15 talks about the Lord’s love ending as a result of His children hating His ways. Much of Proverbs and Isa 61:8 talk about recompense and punishment for wrong, even though the people in question are “loved”. We can love each other and still have ethical standards that we hold each other to. We can love each other and still recognize that there is a distinction between right and wrong. We can hold love for people in our hearts at all times, regardless their actions, because they have been made in the image of our Almighty God. We can actively love people in our effort to reach their hearts for the Lord, but do not blaspheme the Lord by saying that all actions are equal and that love is carte blanche’ acceptance of all activity on this earth. God states the opposite in His word, (see Romans 1:32) and we would do well to listen.

So, sounds to me like we’re saying that we should give of ourselves to others when they are in need and that we should consider others before we consider ourselves… sure sounds like socialism! Well, it doesn’t actually, but let’s continue with a look at what God says about government.

Government
First, God cautioned the children of Israel against having a form of government that set men above other men. In 1 Samuel 8:1-18 the Lord explains to Samuel, and then Samuel to the people, what will happen if they reject God as their leader and take a man instead. This seems to indicate to me that God wants us to seek Him as our leader, and that He knows that other men will ever be inferior to Him as a governing body. Kind of a, “I’ve given you the best plan, be careful what you ask for, I might give it to you”, from God Himself. ?Matt. 22:17–21? ?Luke 20:25?. ?Rom. 13:1–7?; ?Tit. 3:1?; and ?1 Pet. 2:13–17 all define our responsibilities to our earthly governments. Even though we do not – now – look directly to God for our government guidance, He is still in control of all and expects us to follow our government, until it conflicts with His law.

So, it seems as though God knows that the “best way” for us is to acknowledge Him as our ruler but that He knows we won’t always. He knows that we need earthly figures to rule over us, and He allows this, while keeping His hand over us. He holds us to their rule, until they ask us to do something that would go against His law. God has set up and torn down many forms of government. Ours isn’t the first, and it won’t be the last.

Legislation versus The Heart
This still leaves a major question, specifically, where socialism is concerned; should we legislate ‘giving’? What I mean is, it is clear from Scripture that we are to set ourselves aside for our brother (sister), and we are to help one another, but should our government force the issue?

In Luke 18:12 we see the tax collector that ‘willingly gives’ his tithe and crows about it. While it looks like he does it willingly, the Lord still does not hold this acceptable; why not? 2 Cor 9:7 seems to answer the question; we must give cheerfully what we have decided in our heart, NOT what we have been forced to do or what is compulsory… wow, wonder how that matches up with current federal tax ‘law’? As soon as we legislate ‘giving’, it is no longer pleasing to the Lord. (read it again, repeat)

Charity
The reason charity doesn’t work in this country – or on this planet at all – is because God has a way He wants it done, and we aren’t doing it that way. There are many things that we can surmise about why He wants it done that way, some theological and some practical. For instance, if I – personally – give something to you and enjoy doing it, you will see the love of the Lord in me as I give it. That’s a witness, and a powerful one. From a humanist perspective, if I – personally – give you something, you might be thankful and have some desire to repay me or to work your way out of your tough situation so that you can someday help another. As soon as a faceless giant that everyone hates anyhow – the government – performs these functions, there is no witness and there is no desire to grow. Again, it doesn’t matter if we can find ways to justify God’s plan, it is His plan and we are to act on it.

So, my conclusion is that socialism as a form of government is certainly not God-mandated and – in fact – it stands directly against the Biblical precept of us as “cheerful givers”. Not only was Christ not a socialist, He was God become man with the power to save you and me. He loved us all enough to die for us; will you listen to Him today?

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