Posted on 02/11/2024 11:26:44 AM PST by OneVike
Jesus' teachings are all about the way we should respond in our hearts towards
others and how we are to follow Him, not how governments should respond.
It has been the aim of liberal politicians for over 100 years to subvert the Christian doctrine with the claim that Jesus was a socialist. Their goal is to convince Christians that their Social agenda is morally equivalent with the teachings and life of Jesus Christ. Considering the lack of historical and Biblical knowledge most Americans have, it is not surprising that this political scam has been so successful. Twisting the teachings of Jesus for the benefit of political charlatans, has reached the level of scams used by religious heretics interested only in their own benefit. Sadly, Biblical revisionism has led to many misunderstanding the gospel of Christ by those equating it with the beliefs of the modern day Socialism.
The points of contention I have with those who claim Jesus was a socialist, or even be a Democrat or a Republican if He were still living among us today, would be how they twist His teachings and lifestyle to convince voters to elect them because their policies align with Jesus. First off, throughout the time Jesus lived with His disciples, He never worked in the sense that He earned a paycheck to bring home. Instead he was dependent upon the charity and good hearts of those who surrounded Him. Now that is not to say Jesus was lazy or a leach either. Jesus was always about His Fathers business, and that business was the salvation of mankind. You will find nowhere in the Scriptures of Jesus ever telling His followers to rely upon those who are not willing to hear the Gospel or share what they have. If the people refused to hear the gospel or be charitable with them, Jesus told His disciples to rebuke them and go to others who are willing to hear the teachings. One example was the time He sent His disciples out by pairs. (Matthew chapter 10)
I must emphasize that all of the lessons Jesus taught, were specifically for those who followed Him, or would listen to His teachings. When a person asked for healing or for forgiveness, Jesus always told them that their sins were forgiven and to go and sin no more. As for money, there was only one time He mentioned the wealth of an individual and that was because that individual treasured his wealth over God. Jesus used the incident as a lesson to tell His disciples that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle then for a rich man to get into heaven. Not impossible, but more difficult. He tells us elsewhere that where your treasure is there too is where your heart will be. (Matthew 6:21)
Jesus also taught that we should not let our charitable work be publicly known. (Matthew 6:1-4) Those who love to brag about all the good they have done for others through the Social programs of the government would not be true followers of Jesus or his teachings. Truth is, when Jesus finally had a chance to influence the government and it's rulers, he did not broach the subject of socialism or it's supposed glory. Not only did He not enlighten them upon the benefits of Socialism, He would not even share the Gospel with them. In fact, Jesus never suggested any government solution to the problems plaguing the people.
If Jesus was the great Socialist leader the left wants us to believe then why would He not get the government to follow His lead. After all, the perfect time to influence the government was when Jesus was brought before Pilate and Herod. He did not. The Scriptures tell us that He kept silent in front of Herod, ( Luke 23:6- 12) and He only said a few words to Pilate. (John 18:33-19:11) That's because Jesus did not come to influence the government, but the people who needed salvation. He wanted men to believe in Him not some social agenda that would get the government to do what Christians were called to do. These are the lessons His disciples continued to teach after he was gone, and those lessons would come into play in the Book of Acts. Also, if Jesus believed in redistributing the wealth, then why did He not tell Herod to tax the rich and give it to the poor? He did not, because forcing others to care for the poor will not lead them to Salvation, nor would it, and never has led to helping the poor. What Jesus did say about the poor? They will always be with us. (John 12:1-8)
Which brings me to the early days of Christianity, where everyone sold their possessions and distributed the proceeds to other Christians in need. (Acts 4:34-35) This is one of the main Scriptures used by the left to convince people that the early Christians practiced Socialism. Unfortunately, many people do not realize that this is something that happened mainly among the Christian believers. By taking into consideration the historical setting of the Book of Acts, you will begin to better understand the reason why there was a need for this kind of outpouring among the early Christians.
During the time when Christ walked among us and taught His disciples, and later after His crucifixion, resurrection and ascension into Heaven, Jerusalem was an economically depressed area. Most of the employment opportunities centered around the building of Herod 's Temple, and the only ones eligible to work on the Temple were Jews. The only Jews that were allowed to work on the Temple were those who were ceremonially clean. Anyone that was unclean or found to be unfit by the priests were barred from working on the Temple. There were various reasons one could be considered unclean or at odds with the Priests who controlled the work force. A Jew who openly confessed faith in Christ and followed His teachings, was automatically considered a Heretic and unfit for consideration of employment in the Temple. They were also ostracized by their close relatives and the community, and soon found themselves unable to support themselves or their family.
It was under these conditions that the first Christians came together and pooled their resources so that the many who lacked the basics to care for themselves could be taken care of in the face of such harsh treatment in their communities. These early Christians were not only shunned by society, but many like Stephen were stoned to death for their faith in Christ. All they had was other Christians to depend upon. So while we do read in the Book of Acts about communal living, where all things were in common, it was from the excess many had so that those in need could be cared for. That does not mean that all were equal, or that those who had means split those means equally with those who did not have means, but rather they provided for the necessities of those who could not do so for themselves. What the Book of Acts records is that the early Christians stepped up and did what Christ called them to do.
We can also see in the Book of Acts that a Christian could give as much or as little as they wanted, as in the account of Ananias and his wife Sapphira. (Acts 5:1-10) The Scriptures tell us they were put to death by the Holy Spirit for lying about how much they received because they wanted everyone to believe they donated all the proceeds from some possessions they sold. The lesson we learn from the incident is that they were not required to give everything but to be honest about their donation. Later when it was prophesied that a famine would come to the land, so the disciples in Antioch collected money to send with Paul and Barnabas to be delivered to Jerusalem. (Acts 11:27-30) They did not ask Herod or Caesar to raise the taxes on the rich so that the poor starving Christians could be taken care of, they did not ask the Jews for help, nor the unbelieving Gentiles for donations to help. No, they collected money from other Christians to help with the needy.
Actually, when you look at the years since Christian organizations did ask governments for help, you see the governments coming in and taking over, and claiming Churches can no longer be involved, due to claims of separation of Church and State. Look at todays Socialized governments and you will not see the governments even recognizing Christian organizations as they used to.
Now for those who want to equate this outpouring of sharing with the idea of modern day Socialism, I would suggest a short course in Biblical Theology. Christianity teaches that it is up to the individual to care for others, whereas, Socialism demands forced equality enacted by the government. Also, while it is the Christian's obligation to look after the widows and the poor, Paul specifically told the Thessalonians in his 2nd letter to them, that if a healthy able bodied brother will not work he will not eat. (2 Thessalonians 3:10) Socialism on the other hand, not only promotes, but demands that those who work will feed those who are lazy and will not work. This is not what Christ taught. Jesus did not have the Good Samaritan in Luke's Gospel tell the injured man in the road to seek a government social worker. The Good Samaritan gave of what was his own willingly, not under the duress of the state. (Luke 10:25-37)
Throughout the life of Christ, Jesus always emphasized personal responsibility and love. That's because Christ came to save mankind from the penalty of sin, which is eternal death. It is through the substitutionary death of Christ and His resurrection that we are provided with the means for justification and thus salvation. Jesus said that all who believe and receive Him through faith, will be born again and saved to become children of God. Christ could care less about the governments and their so-called compassion. That is why you will not find anywhere in the Scriptures a verse that says He died for the salvation of the state.
Jesus died for the salvation of man and it is men's hearts that will be judged on judgment day. No man will be judged according to how much he paid in taxes, or how many government programs he supported. We are told to pay tribute to our rulers if they ask, but charity starts and ends at home with each individual. That is why Christ said,
"Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me." (Matthew 25:35-39 )Notice that He said, as you did, not as the government did, nor as you got the government to do.
One last point that needs to be made, and that is for anyone who doubts that Communism and Socialism are two feathers from the same bird. Frederick Engels' wrote the preface to the 1888 edition of the "Communist Manifesto", in which he declares that the Communist Manifesto "is undoubtedly the most widespread, the most international production of all Socialist literature, the common platform acknowledged by millions of working men from China to California."
Socialism means economic control of the people by government. In a Socialist country, the state is all-powerful. Such an all-powerful state views itself and not God as the ultimate authority. It is not surprising, therefore, that the Communist Manifesto calls for abolishing family, marriage, countries, and religion as well as private property. Under the Socialist system the state determines what is right and wrong without any competing loyalties to God, family, country or religion.
Make no mistake about it, Jesus was not what politicians and their mimics in the media claim He was. He was not, and He did not teach, Socialism. He said I am the way, the truth, and the light, no one comes to the Father accept through Me. Christians are called to be the light of the world, we should influence the world through our lives and share the gospel with those who are receptive. If the Gospel, as Christ taught it, is rejected by those we whom we share it with, then we are told to kick the dust from our shoes and go on. (Mark 6:11) We are not instructed to force them to be loving and charitable through the power of a Socialized government.
I pray that those who have ears to hear, will hear His voice and call upon His name. Amen
On the flip side, Jesus would not have looked kindly on the American Revolution either. That is the funny thing about man made ideologies; none of them measure up the Christ.
“measure up to Christ”
Thanks I’ll look into them
Shhhhh
You might upset those are convinced America is Gods special chosen place
Why? I rather think the American revolution was God’s will.
Excellent. Thank you.
Yes, caring for the truly poor and needy has always been the responsibility of the church.
Thank God for churches who still have their own outreach programs to help others.
Yes indeed. Thank you.
Socialism takes other people’s money and gives it to others whether they want to or not. Jesus said to “give from your heart”…not through government.
Also, the wage workers and many other things the Bible talks about certainly are not socialism. “The work for a days wage”…classic business owner can do what he wants with his money.
Another issue with the Jesus as a socialist claim is that Jesus avoided the political arena almost completely. He had not come to fix Rome or even challenge them.
His response when asked about paying taxes to Caesar was (of course) brilliant. I’ll bet they NEVER saw that one coming.
Jesus is a royalist who opened the gates to His Father’s kingdom.
He'd be happy not to charge anything for the healings, but for bills to pay, taxes and other expenses, bird seed.
The price for a 50# bag of black oil sunflower seed just keeps going up.
The birds have got to eat, and those goldfinches never miss a meal.
“Jesus’ teachings are all about the way we should respond in our hearts towards
others and how we are to follow Him, not how governments should respond.”
True - and also applies to sexual morality and intoxicant use.
He did change water into win for all to enjoy
And he took seven loaves and fish and fed everyone with it without charging them.
I prefer “Onward Christian Soldiers” ... the rest of this organized religion is pretty much leftist socialist.
Thanks for Pingers...
.
How should we feel about the
“Catholic Charities” and the Border?
.
Asking for a FRiend.
Echos of “We Want a King!!!” reverberate down through history.
If you are one of those who don't want to work!
Of *course* Jesus could not have been a socialist.
He actually FED people!
Definitely not a socialist. He told of the ruler who went into a far country, and when he returned he found his servants had increased the money he had given them, EXCEPT for one man who hid his in the ground. Jesus said “You could have given that money to the bankers and received it back increased with usury!”
Wasn’t a capitalist either. Jesus did not know of either capitalism or socialism as neither were the dominant economic systems of his time.
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