Christian Patriotism

Christian Patriotism
by Alonzo Trevier Jones

http://www.embassyofheaven.com/catalog/patriot.htm

PART I:
HEAVEN'S CITIZEN IN WORLD

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Chapter I
Christian Patriotism

WHAT is Christian patriotism?

Patriotism is love of country. And the country that one loves is the country of one's birth, or of one's adoption by naturalization.

Christian patriotism, then, being Christian love of country, can be nothing else than the Christian's love of the country of his Christian birth.

The Christian birth is the new birth; it is the being "born again," John 3:3 which is being "born from above." And for a Christian that place that is "above," from which the Christian is born, is heaven.

Heaven, then, is the Christian's country. And even so saith the Scripture: "If ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Galatians 3:29 And to Abraham it was said, "Get thee out of thy country, . . . into the land that I will show thee." "He . . . obeyed," and thenceforth he and all his:

confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly; wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He hath prepared for them a city. Hebrews 11:13-16

Patriotism, then, being love of one's country, and the "heavenly country" being the Christian's country, Christian patriotism is nothing else than love of the heavenly country. True patriotism is "the spirit that, originating in love of country, prompts to obedience to its laws; to the support and defense of its existence, rights, and institutions; and to the promotion of its welfare." The Christian's country being only the heavenly country, Christian patriotism is nothing else than the spirit that prompts to obedience to its laws; to the support and defense of its existence, rights, and institutions; and to the promotion of its welfare.

The spirit that originates in the love of the Christian's country, is none other than the Holy Spirit. For without being born again, there can be no Christian; and there being no Christian, there can be no love of the Christian's country - no Christian patriotism. Being born again is to be born of the Spirit. Therefore without the Holy Spirit's creating the new creature and the new life, there can be no Christian patriotism.

Are you a Christian patriot? Do you love the Christian's country above all other countries? Have you the spirit that prompts obedience to the laws of that country, above all other laws; that supports and defends its existence, rights, and institutions above and against those of all other countries?

Does Christian patriotism, this support and defense of the rights and institutions of the Christian's country, involve fighting? - It certainly does. Read: "Fight the good fight of faith." 1 Timothy 6:12 "The weapons of our warfare are not carnal," yet they are:

mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. Ephesians 6:13-18

Hi Annie,

Snowing, with 40 mph winds and blizzard conditions, so no church today, how lovely winter is up here.

Thank you for the links; yes the song is very moving, but is Jesus looking for our pledge of allegiance, or a life that totally follows Him?

Yes, there is much to absorb, I have enjoyed the search.

I have my days, but I know the battle has already been won, one day the manifestation of His completed work shall be revealed in us all. Until then, “I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me.” Or should I say, I can endure all things through Christ.

This life is so short and I have already spent too much time being concerned about myself, when Christ truly does have everything under control.

It is far past time for our concerns to be turned to others, pointing them to His Kingdom, and them, seeing His Kingdom in us.
Oh, if we truly believe His Kingdom is in us, then should not ‘His Kingdom’ be the focus of our whole life?

Hope you are well, Dear Sister, great to see you back sharing.

Amen!

In His Love
pastorfrin

Christian Patriotism
by Alonzo Trevier Jones

http://www.embassyofheaven.com/catalog/patriot.htm

PART I:
HEAVEN'S CITIZEN IN WORLD

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Chapter II
Christian Naturalization

PATRIOTISM is not only love of the country of one's birth, but also love of the country of one's naturalization.

Christian patriotism, therefore, is love of the country of one's Christian birth, the country of one's Christian naturalization.

Naturalization is that procedure through which persons born in another country - aliens, foreigners - become citizens of a certain country of their choice.

Is there, then, anything in Christian experience that corresponds to naturalization? Is there such a thing as Christian naturalization?

Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; that at that time ye were without Christ, being ALIENS from the commonwealth of Israel, and STRANGERS from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. Ephesians 2:11-12

Aliens become citizens of a government by naturalization. You and I were aliens. We have become naturalized into the commonwealth of Israel, the kingdom of God. When someone becomes a naturalized citizen, what is involved? They take the oath of allegiance to the new government, the new sovereign. Here are the specifications - copied from a gentleman's certificate of naturalization:

"This is to certify, etc. that J___ B___ 'on being admitted to citizenship by this court, took the oath to support the Constitution of the United States of America, and that he then did absolutely and forever renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to every foreign prince, potentate, State, or sovereignty whatsoever, and particularly to the emperor of Germany.' etc., etc."

If he had been a British subject, it would have read, "and particularly to the queen of Great Britain and empress of India."

How much did he have to renounce? - "All allegiance and fidelity to every foreign prince, potentate, State or sovereignty whatsoever." And what in particular? - "And particularly to the emperor of Germany."

And how fully? And for how long? - "Absolutely and forever renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity." Thus he is to turn his back "absolutely" upon all his former "allegiance and fidelity to every foreign prince, potentate, State or sovereignty WHATSOEVER." That is in general. And in particular, to the one to whom he was particularly subject. In earthly governments, that is the way aliens are naturalized.

Now what about us? We "were aliens," but now we are fellow citizens with the saints: Deuteronomy 33:2, Jude 14

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but FELLOW-CITIZENS with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner-stone. Ephesians 2:19-20

That certificate of naturalization declares that, he, "on being admitted to citizenship, . . . did absolutely and forever renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to every foreign prince, potentate, State, or sovereignty whatsoever," and particularly to the sovereignty to which he had been subject.

In becoming a citizen of the commonwealth of Israel, a fellow-citizen with the saints, did you "absolutely and forever renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to every foreign prince, potentate, State, or sovereignty whatsoever," and particularly to the one to which you were formerly subject, as every alien must do to become a citizen of an earthly government?

If not, then do you count citizenship in the commonwealth of Israel, fellow-citizenship with the saints, of as much value as any alien must count citizenship in an earthly government?

If citizenship in heaven, in the commonwealth of Israel, is indeed as valuable as is citizenship in an earthly government, then in order to be truly a citizen of the commonwealth of Israel, just as certainly as to be a citizen of an earthly government, it is required that one shall "absolutely and forever renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to every foreign prince, potentate, State, or sovereignty whatsoever," and particularly to the one to whom, when an alien, he is subject, which is "the prince of this world."1 John 12:31

And if this is not done, what then? If all allegiance to every prince, potentate, State or sovereignty whatsoever, other than that of the commonwealth of Israel, is not absolutely and forever renounced and abjured, then there is certainly attempted a divided allegiance.

But will a divided allegiance answer? Will a divided allegiance be accepted? Will any earthly government accept a divided allegiance? If any alien asking to become a citizen of an earthly government should refuse to make that renunciation, full and complete as it is; if he should ask to have the renunciation divided, that he might retain and show some fidelity, only a little, to some foreign prince, potentate, State, or sovereign; would he be accepted? Everybody knows that he would not, not even for a moment. How, then, can it be supposed that such reserved, such divided, allegiance could be accepted in any one asking to be a citizen of the commonwealth of Israel?

It is not enough, however, to inquire whether a divided allegiance will be accepted. The true question is, Can there really be any such thing as a divided allegiance? And the true answer is, No; for it is written, "No man can serve two masters." Matthew 6:24

It is therefore certain that no alien, seeking to be a citizen of the commonwealth of Israel, can ever expect to carry with him any shadow of allegiance to anything in this world or of this world. It is written: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."1 1 John 2:15

Princes, potentates, States, and sovereignties are only of this world. To retain allegiance or fidelity to any of these, is to retain allegiance and fidelity to the things that are only of this world, and, so, to the world itself.

Christian citizenship is citizenship in heaven; for "our citizenship is in heaven." Philippians 3:20 Another translation reads, "For our country [the State to which we belong, of which we by faith are citizens] is in the heavens." - Alford. Another, an interlinear, word for word, translation gives it, "For of us the commonwealth in the heavens exists."

Christian citizenship is citizenship in the commonwealth of Israel; for we are no more "aliens from the commonwealth of Israel," "no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God." Ephesians 2:12,19

Christian patriotism is love of the country of one's citizenship. And true citizenship is the absolute and everlasting renunciation and abjuration of all allegiance and fidelity to every other prince, potentate, State, or sovereignty whatsoever.

Never forget that we are the subjects of the
Most High who is our King and that we are
citizens in His Kingdom; the Kingdom of God!!
Our interests and our priorities should be
those that honor and glorify our God and King
and serve His purposes and will!!

Christian Patriotism
by Alonzo Trevier Jones

http://www.embassyofheaven.com/catalog/patriot.htm

PART I:
HEAVEN'S CITIZEN IN WORLD

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Chapter III
Heaven's Citizens Remain Separate

Our citizenship is in heaven; from whence we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.15 Philippians 3:20

Every Christian's citizenship is in heaven. The Authorized Version is, "Our conversation is in heaven"; but that word "conversation" does not mean simply our words and the conversation which we have one with another in talking about neighborly affairs, but our manner of life, our course of conduct, our walk, is in heaven.

Now as our citizenship, the citizenship of every Christian, is in heaven, what has any citizen of heaven or of the heavenly government rightly to do with the political or governmental affairs of any other government or any other kingdom? In fact, what has a citizen of any government rightly to do with the political concerns or management of any other government?

We read about people who profess to be citizens of the heavenly kingdom, but they are constantly involving themselves in the political workings of the governments of this earth. They profess to have a citizenship in heaven, and yet they manipulate the affairs of the kingdoms of earth! They profess to be citizens of the kingdom of God, yet they propose to regulate the affairs of the governments of men. But that is a thing that never can rightly be done.

If a citizen of Great Britain should come into the United States, still retaining his citizenship in the government of Great Britain, and should take part, or attempt to take part, in the political affairs of this government, his action in that respect would be resented by every citizen of the United States. It matters not with what party he might wish to ally himself and work; they would not have it. They would say to him: That is none of your business; you do not belong here. You are a citizen of another government. If the laws of this country do not suit you, that has nothing to do with the case. The political systems of this country suit us. If things do not suit you, just let them alone, or else change your citizenship from the government to which you belong, and bring your citizenship here. Then begin to discuss the laws and how they should be made, and what they should be.

You know that is so. You know that is the way a citizen of another country would be treated by all the citizens of the United States, if he should undertake to manipulate, to control, or have any part in the political concerns of this country. That is not denying his right to live here; he may do that. But all do deny his right, and his very citizenship in another country, denies his right to have anything to do with the citizenship of the United States, or her political affairs.

As the Christian's citizenship is in heaven, the very principle of it, prohibits him from taking part in any of the political concerns of any other government, even though it be the government of the United States. And that is so; it exists in the very nature of the case. It lies in the very principle of citizenship itself.

Christian Patriotism
by Alonzo Trevier Jones

PART I:
HEAVEN'S CITIZEN IN WORLD

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Chapter IV
Ambassadors of Heavenly Government

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20

This is not simply the ordained minister, for all who receive the grace of God are ministers of that grace. So it is written:

As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 4:10

Even if it were confined to the ministry, this text would not be out of place in this connection, because it is the ministry that takes the lead in promoting the beast and his image, and is managing the whole movement, leading the people under their charge into these devious and evil ways.

So then, "we are ambassadors for Christ." An ambassador is one sent and accredited by one government as the representative of that government to another country. Now the principle of ambassadorship prohibits him from any interference whatever with the political concerns of the government to which he is accredited. If the British ambassador to the United States - or the ambassador from France or any other of these countries - should express an opinion upon, or take any part in, any of the political concerns of this country, his sovereign would be immediately notified that he was no longer an accepted person here, and would be called upon to withdraw him from the position of ambassador in this country.

That has been done at least twice in my recollection. In one of Grant's administration, the Russian minister to this country - Catacazy was his name - touched in some slight way upon some political issue. It was an insignificant one so far as any particular turn of politics was concerned, yet he was sent out of the country at once - recalled.

In the first campaign between Cleveland and Harrison, the British minister to this country, Sackville-West, received a letter from a Mr. Murchson, of California. Murchson pretended - whether it was correct or not - to be a British subject. In the letter were some questions and observations upon the current issues of the presidential campaign. The British Minister answered the letter, and expressed an opinion. The letter was published, and a dispatch was immediately sent to the court of St. James, demanding his recall; and he was recalled.

These are cited merely to illustrate the recognized principles of ambassadorship among nations, among men: Ambassadors are prohibited from interfering in the political concerns of the government to which they are accredited.

"We are ambassadors for Christ." These church leaders who are building up the beast and his image profess to be ambassadors for Christ. Yet they not only express opinions, but they lay down laws, they manipulate campaigns, they mold politics, and shape the whole political course of the governments to whom they are accredited. Thus, they violate the first, the last, and every principle that is involved in ambassadorship.

The principles of Jesus Christ speak to the heart. They take hold of the heart and are of value only as they have hold upon the heart. If they do not have hold upon the heart, the man who professes these principles will violate them in his actions.

"We are ambassadors for Christ." An ambassador is not sent to another country to pry into the affairs, or attend to the political concerns, of that country; but to attend to the affairs of his own country as they arise in that country. "We are ambassadors for Christ." The whole attention of a Christian is to be upon the things of his own country, the affairs of his own kingdom, and to attend to these as they may arise in the country on the earth where they may be sojourning. For as certain as we are Christians, "we are strangers and sojourners;" Hebrews 11:13 our country is yonder, where we belong.

An ambassador, then, in the country where he may be sojourning, is to attend to the affairs of his own kingdom, as they may arise there, and as they may affect the subjects of his own kingdom. Therefore if that kingdom or that government, in which he may be sojourning, undertakes to enact any laws, or take a political course that will infringe the rights of the people of his own country, he has the right and it is his duty to protest. He has the right to call attention to the principles that will be violated by the government in passing such a law, and taking such a course. Yet that government is independent and sovereign in its own realm and may enact such laws as to it seem expedient. And these laws may affect the citizens of his own country; and may bring hardships upon them. But in the enforcement of these laws, the citizen or ambassador is to insist that the procedure at every step in the case shall be strictly in accordance with its own jurisprudence and with all the principles upon which the laws are based.

Every Christian has the right to protest against any earthly government making any laws on the subject of religion! that is out of their jurisdiction; that invades the realm of the kingdom of God. It infringes the rights of the people of the kingdom of God. Therefore every ambassador of Jesus Christ has the inalienable right to protest against any such thing by any government on this earth.

But, upon their power and their asserted right to make laws, these governments do go ahead and make laws respecting religion; and then they arrest us, and bring us before their tribunals for violating these laws. And when they do that, we have the right to insist that they shall strictly conform to their own laws, and the constitutional principles upon which their government rests. This the Christian, the heavenly citizen, has the right to do in addition to the right to protest against their right to make any such laws at all.

The governments of earth, on their own part, count us their citizens or subjects, even after we have become citizens of the heavenly country. Earthly governments do not recognize the transference of our citizenship from that government into the heavenly one; and this brings a conflict many times. If every government would recognize this transference of citizenship and drop every man that professes to be a Christian from its roll of citizens or subjects, there would not be so much difficulty on this point, nor so many controversies arising.

But these governments do not do that; they propose to hold on to the man even after he has transferred his citizenship, and sometimes they will assert their right to hold him. They assert their right to control citizens of the heavenly kingdom as though they were still citizens of their former kingdom. We have transferred our citizenship to another country and are citizens of the heavenly country. But on the part of the United States we are still counted as citizens of the United States, because the Constitution says that all persons who are born here or are naturalized "are citizens of the United States, and the States in which they may reside." Though by our own choice we are citizens of heaven, and not citizens of the United States any more, the United States still holds us as citizens.

One of these days we are going to come in conflict with United States law, as well as State law - not because we are doing wrong, but because they are doing wrong. We shall be arrested, prosecuted, and required to respect the law, and to obey the law. When this happens, God will take care of us under the realm of which we are citizens, and in the kingdom to which we belong. He will attend to that; and He will conduct all these affairs according to His own righteous ways.

Yet so long as the Church keeps herself entirely separate from the State, she can consistently and rightly disregard any and all legislative acts, judicial decrees, or executive powers that touch religious practices because she ever denies the right of government to touch religion or any religious question in any way.

Quote:[i]Hi Pastor, I don't know how you all do it up there in that climate. We have a brother here from Alaska too - wow.[/i]

Not really on topic, but it was 48 below (-48) at our house for the last week and a half, yesterday and today it warmed up to 3 below. (t-shirt weather);-)

Christian Patriotism
by Alonzo Trevier Jones

PART I:
HEAVEN'S CITIZEN IN WORLD

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Chapter V
Our Kingdom is not of this World

“Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews.”
John 18:36

If His kingdom were of this world, then for what kingdom would His servants fight - for a kingdom of this world?
Then the man who fights for a kingdom of this world, who contends for supremacy and power in a kingdom of this world, and works for a place in a kingdom of this world, denies his connection with the kingdom of Jesus Christ.
For Christ's kingdom is not of this world. But this is what these church leaders are doing who are leading in this National Reform movement. They seek to take possession of the kingdoms of this world, to rule the governments of this world and to fight for the governments of this world.
Therefore they proclaim with the loudest voice possible that they are of this world and not of the kingdom of Christ at all.

“There was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.” Luke 22:24-26

There was a strife among them concerning which should be greatest in the kingdom which they expected Christ to set up. They expected it would be a kingdom of this world and they expected they would have a place.
There was a strife among them regarding that expected kingdom. It was a mistaken idea, to be sure, with respect to the kingdom, but the lesson that he gave them upon it is applicable in all cases of the kind:

“And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.” Luke 22:25

Factors, benefactors, agents of good! That is what these church leaders now profess to be. They claim to be agents of good to the country, to the people. They are working for the redemption of cities, States, and nations. Would they not be called benefactors?

"But ye shall not be so." Luke 22:26a

Ye shall not exercise authority and lordship over one another in the Church, in the place where you belong.

Why then are these church leaders exercising authority and lordship over people in a place where they do not belong?

Christian Patriotism
by Alonzo Trevier Jones

PART I:
HEAVEN'S CITIZEN IN WORLD

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Chapter VI
Governments of World are of Darkness

Another verse in connection with "My kingdom is not of this world" is:

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints of light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. Colossians 1:12-13

There is a contrast here between this light and the darkness. "Delivered us from the power of darkness." That is not simply the power that darkness exerts upon us, but deliverance from the dominion, rulership and government of darkness. He brought us out from under the jurisdiction of the power of darkness, and "hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son."

Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world. Ephesians 6:10-12

Here is defined the dominion, the rulership and the authority that rules the darkness of this world. That is what we contend against. The only ones who can contend successfully are those who have been delivered from the power of that darkness and translated into the kingdom of His dear Son.

The "rulers of the darkness" are the spiritual powers of darkness. But the text says that these spiritual powers are the rulers of the darkness of this world. It therefore shows that this world is in that darkness, and of that darkness. Therefore, kingdoms and governments, being of this world only, are in and of the darkness.

"Ye were sometimes darkness." Ephesians 5:8 When? When we were subject to "the rulers of the darkness of this world," when we were in sin.

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light; proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

Governments, nations, political organizations are of this world only; they belong to this world only. And the world is under the dominion of darkness. "Darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people." Isaiah 60:2 Are governments and municipalities of the kingdom of God or of this world? - They belong to this world, and to this world alone. They belong to the side of darkness.

But he who is translated out of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear Son, is of another world. He belongs to the heavenly world. The city to which he belongs is the heavenly city. His citizenship is in the dominion and world of light.

Then what connection has that kingdom of light with the kingdoms of darkness? Why are these church leaders, who profess to be of the light, participating in the affairs of darkness? "What fellowship hath light with darkness?" That question belongs here. And the same thought is expressed in connection with the text we are studying:

Ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth), proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Ephesians 5:8-11

How much of the world is to be embraced under the dominion of the beast and his image? All the world. What is our message?

If any man worship the beast and his image and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God. Revelation 14:9-10

That is our message to the world. It applies to all the world. Will that message of "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness" be a reproving message to everyone that is engaged in the work of the beast and his image? It will. Thus participating in the work of the beast and his image is violative of the principle of heavenly citizenship. It is violative of the principle of ambassadorship. It is violative of the principles Jesus Christ laid down for seeking lordship; violative of His principle of separating the government of God from the governments of this earth. It is simply an attempt to blend light and darkness. It is the spirit of darkness that seeks to blend the government of light with the governments of darkness.

There are several other texts that are pertinent, such as Christ's prayer for His disciples:

I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them. John 17:14

In another place He says to them:

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his Lord. John 15:19-20

These verses also show who the world hates:

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before you. John 15:18

The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. John 7:7

When the beast and his image govern the world, and a people testify against it, that people will be hated. But if one does not testify to the world that its works are evil, is the world going to hate him? Oh no; the world will love its own.

And the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. John 17:14

There is a standard that tests our relationship to this world. That standard is Jesus Christ. "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world."

I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. John 17:15-16

Here are these church leaders, professing to be not of this world. If that profession be true, they will act as Jesus Christ did when He was in this world. They will act the same with respect to governmental affairs on the earth. That is what we are talking about now. The beast and his image are of the world. If these church leaders are right, if they are of the truth, then they will not be of the world. They will not interfere or take part with the affairs of this world. They will not seek to control political affairs. They will follow the example of Jesus Christ.

And to what extent did Christ do it? He never touched it. Were there not evils in His day that ought to have been corrected? evils in city government? evils in colonial government? evils in imperial government? Why in the world did He not set about to redeem Jerusalem and Rome by political wire-working? Why didn't he? - Because He was not of this world. When these church leaders participate in worldly governments, they demonstrate that they are not of Christ, but are of this world.

Christian Patriotism
by Alonzo Trevier Jones

PART I:
HEAVEN'S CITIZEN IN WORLD

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Chapter VII
Jesus Christ Sent as Ambassador of God

An ambassador is rightly sent from one government or kingdom to another. He is not sent there to manipulate or interfere with the affairs of the government. He is sent to that country to attend to the affairs of his own government as they may arise in that government, or in that country. That is his purpose.

There are subjects of Great Britain living in the United States. Great Britain has interests that concern her subjects in the United States. She sends her ambassadors here to attend to these interests as they may arise within the territory of the United States. And to these things alone is he to devote his time. He turns his attention to the affairs of his own country, as they may arise in the country where he is sent.

So was Jesus Christ sent as the ambassador of God to this world. He was in the country of Judea, under the government and jurisdiction of Rome. He was asked to attend to the affairs that pertained to that other country. But instead of yielding to the invitation, He stuck closely to the affairs that belonged to His own country.

They asked Him to act as a judge and a divider in the things that belonged altogether to the government in whose territory He was in. But He was not there to attend to these things. He was there to attend to the affairs of the kingdom of God. He was to attend to the affairs of the government which sent Him. And instead of crossing the line, and interfering with the affairs that belonged under the jurisdiction of this world, He remained loyal to the kingdom that sent Him. He adhered strictly to the affairs of that government, the kingdom of God, as they arose in the country where He had been sent.

God has people in this world. He has interests in this world. His people have interests in this world. Therefore God rightly has ambassadors in this world; but they are here to attend to the affairs of the kingdom of God. They attend to the affairs of the kingdom of God as they may arise in the course of things in this world. They do not attend to the affairs of the kingdoms of this world. And the ambassador for Jesus Christ that goes over the line, and undertakes to attend to the affairs of this world, abandons his own government. He breaks his allegiance to his own King, and unlawfully and illegally invades the province of another government.

"I pray for them." John 17:9 He is praying for His disciples whom the Father had given him out of the world. "I pray for them: I pray not for the world."
Can the man whose affections and attention are upon this world benefit from this prayer? No, sir. "I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine."
Then every man who would have the benefit of that prayer must be separated from the world, from the things of this world, from the affairs of this world. His affections must not be set upon the world as certainly and as entirely as Jesus Christ himself; for "they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." John 17:16

The sooner we find that our only refuge, our only confidence, is in God, and our only allegiance is to His kingdom and the principles which He gave us, the better off we will be. We are not to see how near we can go to the kingdoms of the world without compromising; but how far away we can stay to be perfectly safe. That is the principle.

There is another verse related to this principle. When asked which is the first commandment in the law, Jesus answered:

The first of all the commandments is, Hear O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. Mark 12:29-30

That takes all of the man, all the time, to be devoted to God. How much then is there left with which to serve Caesar?
"Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's." Matthew 22:21

The Christian himself belongs to God. He recognizes God's right to him. It takes a complete surrender to God to be a Christian. He must be born again, or else he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3 And that kingdom is not of this world.
To obey the first commandment, God calls men to surrender to Him. When a man surrenders himself to God, there is none of that man left for the service of Caesar.

Look again at the above verse in Mark: "With all thy mind." When that law is fulfilled in me, I want to know how much of my mind I am going to have left for running politics, for wirepulling in municipal affairs, for working to elect this man or that man, or to see who will nominate me for office, or to see what position I can have in the city or in the State?

"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God . . . with all thy mind." Matthew 22:37
But if I divide my mind, and put part of it on these things, and give the rest to the Lord - then I am a double-minded man, unstable in all my ways. James 1:8 "Let not that man think he shall receive anything of the Lord."

"No man can serve two masters"; Matthew 6:24

Ye cannot serve God and this world; ye cannot serve God and Caesar.

Christian Patriotism
by Alonzo Trevier Jones

PART I:
HEAVEN'S CITIZEN IN WORLD

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Chapter VIII
Church Separate from World

In the Scriptures, you know that the Church is called the body of Christ, 1 Corinthians 12:27 and Christ is the head of the Church. Colossians 1:18 Is not the Church, Christ in the world? But Christ taught a separation of Church and State. Christ says, "I am not of this world." John 8:23

This world is darkness. "Ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light." Ephesians 5:8
Now let's imagine a blackboard. That blackboard represents the dark world without any white marks upon it. When Christ came into the world, the light shone into the world. From Galilee there was the word of the prophet: "The people which sat in darkness saw a great light." Isaiah 9:2
Imagine a white line on the blackboard that represent the line between the darkness and the light. On one side is the light. Here is where Christ is. On the other side is the dark world. Now He says His kingdom is not of this world. The kingdom of God is the kingdom of light and of glory. He is the King there.

Now on which side of that line is the Church? - Wherever Christ is. For we found that He is the Church; the Church is Himself in the world. Here in the light is the Church, over there in the darkness are the States, the governments that are altogether of this world. No government that ever was on the earth will enter heaven.

He had "all of these kingdoms of the world" Matthew 4:8 offered to Him. Why didn't He accept that offer, and thus become the head, of all the governments and kingdoms of this world? Then He could manipulate them, and by political means "regenerate society," "redeem cities," reform the mayors, governors, presidents, kings, and emperors, and thus "save" the world? Why not? Because that would have only confirmed the world in eternal ruin.

Christ did not accept the kingdoms of the world. He could not do so. He was offered the governorship, the possession of all the kingdoms of the world. He would not have it. But lo, here we find these church leaders in our day actually grasping for it, and working to obtain it.
If all Christians from the day of Christ until now had refused the kingdoms of the world, as Christ did, could there have been a papacy? No. Could there have been an image? Impossible. Where are Christians to stand on that question? Where Christ stood, refusing to have anything to do with the kingdoms of the world.

The church leaders are working to "regenerate the city," "redeem the State," and "save the nation" in the interests of society and for the exaltation of the church. And they say, If this clear-cut line that separates Church and State is maintained, what will become of civilization?
How is the Church to influence the world? They argue that the church certainly is in the world to do good to the world. Here are these cities, states, and nations that are corrupt. The Church must have some influence upon them. If she is to be completely separated from them, how is she to influence them in any way for good? These are the queries they raise, and the arguments which they make against a clear-cut line of separation of Church and State.

The answer is that only by totally separating from the world, 2 Corinthians 6:17 can the Church ever influence the world for good. The Church will influence the world, it will influence kingdoms, it will influence nations, and the peoples thereof, when, and only when, it is faithfully the Church of Christ; and is not of the world even as He is not of the world. When the Church is not faithful, she will influence the world - that is true - but only to their undoing.

Christian Patriotism
by Alonzo Trevier Jones

PART I:
HEAVEN'S CITIZEN IN WORLD

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Chapter IX

Roman Empire vs Right to Conscience

When Christianity started in the Roman Empire, there was no such thing as rights of conscience. In fact, there was no such thing as rights of the individual.
Christianity means nothing if not the rights of conscience. That was its one claim that overtopped everything else as it entered the Roman Empire.
The contest between Christianity and all the power of the Roman Empire was upon the Christian's claim of the right of conscience. The empire of Rome denied it, because the empire did not know anything about it.

Rome said, "What the law says, is right." And from the law alone, we get the idea of right and wrong. What the law says to be done, that is right. What the law prohibits, that is wrong and that is the reason why it is right or wrong.

But the Christian said, "What God says is right" is what makes it right, and what God says is wrong, is what makes it wrong.

To Rome, the State was god; and therefore the maxim: "The voice of the people is the voice of God." And as the laws were the voice of the people, the law was the voice of the Roman god.

Therefore when the Christian denied the Roman god, and asserted the rights of conscience toward the true God, he himself became judge of the right or wrong of the law.
Yet to the Roman mind, the law itself was the test of right or wrong.

That contest went on for 250 years before it was settled in favor of the rights of conscience. And by that time the principles of Christianity had so impressed the pagans, who made no profession of anything but paganism, that the rights of conscience were sacred.

When the apostasy seized the civil power and began to use it in behalf of what they called the Christian religion, then pagans pleaded the rights of conscience!

Christian Patriotism
by Alonzo Trevier Jones

PART I:
HEAVEN'S CITIZEN IN WORLD

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Chapter X

Give God all the Place

The principles of Christ Christianized multitudes of people.

The Christian zing of these people fixed in them the rights of conscience. It was so fixed upon them that they would die rather than yield. That was genuine Christianity. They held to that principle, at the expense of every other consideration. Pagans were so impressed by their integrity that they pled "right to conscience" when occasion offered.

This illustrates the principles which we are studying: That Christianity, if held faithfully by those who profess it, will exert an influence for good.

Macaulay discovered this principle, too, and expressed it in writing of India: "A man need not to be a Christian to desire that Christianity should be spread to India."

That tells the whole story.
A Christian wants Christianity spread in India for Christ's sake, for the sake of souls who will be Christianized. The man who is not a Christian may wish for Christianity to be in India, for the sake of the good it will due the poor heathen, even if they do not become Christians.

But the mischief has always been, and is yet, that Christianity is not taken and held for what it is by those who profess it.

God is not given large enough place in those who profess Him. He cannot demonstrate the real power of Christianity in these people who do not give Him the place that belongs to Him.
Then men lose that divine power and influence. They go about to do by themselves and by human power the things that would be done by the Lord if only they would give Him the place that belongs to Him.

That is why professed Christians think they must propose legislation, or get into office, or manage, or dictate to those who do legislate or are in office. And they want to do all these things in "a Christian mold," and make it influential in elevating the people, and bring cities, states, and nations, around to the right way.
But that is putting themselves in the place of Jesus Christ; that is putting themselves in the place of God. And that is the papacy all over again; that is worshiping the beast or his image.

Let those who name the name of Christ do it with absolute surrender to God. Give God all the place.
Let the influence all be His, let the power all be His, let Him alone be looked to, and depended upon, to do all in all.
Then Christians will see the power of God so manifest that they would be ashamed to put themselves forward to give mold or shape to the influence of Christianity.

When people do not give the Lord the place which belongs to Him, and therefore do not see what they expect to see, it is natural that they should begin to think that they are better than the Lord. They think they could do better than He does, and so they must take hold and do the thing their Christianity fails to do.

But that, I say again, leaves God out, and put themselves in His place.
And by leaving God out, they leave out His power; and by putting themselves in His place, they put into exercise their own power; and that is worldly, earthly, sensual, and, at the last, devilish. James 3:15

An observation...

...professed Christians think they must propose legislation, or get into office, or manage, or dictate to those who do legislate or are in office.

Thankfully, William Wilberforce was such a professed Christian.

It's dubious to legislate religious beliefs on a nation, but honorable to legislate good laws. This doesn't imply that desirable ends can justify the use of any and all crooked means. Only, if it be possible that both the means and the end can be Christ honoring, then the Christian is compelled for mercy's sake to try.

Else, how ever could there be a reason for the people to be glad when the righteous rule, if the righteous are excluded from ruling?

MC

Compton wrote:
An observation...

...professed Christians think they must propose legislation, or get into office, or manage, or dictate to those who do legislate or are in office.

Thankfully, William Wilberforce was such a professed Christian.

It's dubious to legislate religious beliefs on a nation, but honorable to legislate good laws. This doesn't imply that desirable ends can justify the use of any and all crooked means. Only, if it be possible that both the means and the end can be Christ honoring, then the Christian is compelled for mercy's sake to try.

Else, how ever could there be a reason for the people to be glad when the righteous rule, if the righteous are excluded from ruling?

MC

Hi Brother MC,

I think it would be wise to follow and use Jesus Christ as our example, as he is the one scripture points us to. Not a Wilberforce or any other man, but Jesus. You know, ‘take the whole world but give me Jesus’.
If we as Christians would truly begin to imitate Him as we are instructed to do, the world would change. But instead, we promote and follow men.

Proverbs 29:2
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

I believe this is a statement of fact, not a doctrine. Were men deciding during the time Proverbs was written, who ruled over them?

Are you saying because we live in a democracy that man decides who rules over him?

Daniel 2:20-21
Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: [21] And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

Daniel 4:17
This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.

Daniel 5:21
And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.

They only think they do.

But we can and should all earnestly pray, for those in authorities and for God’s will to be done in earth as it is in heaven.

1 Tim. 2:1-2
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; [2] For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

Matthew 6:9-13
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. [10] Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. [11] Give us this day our daily bread. [12] And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. [13] And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

I truly believe we can trust the Lord God, don’t you. :-)

In His Love
pastorfrin

I think it would be wise to follow and use Jesus Christ as our example, as he is the one scripture points us to. Not a Wilberforce or any other man, but Jesus.

Pastorfrin, that was an unassailable, if equivocal response. What can I say...I agree!

MC