Politico reports on Al Gore's speech over the weekend:
Playing off the focus of the Kennedy funeral on the Gospel of Matthew’s parable of Jesus taking care of “the least of us,” Gore thundered that the country has “a moral duty to pass health care reform. This year."
I went back and read Matthew 25:31-46 (the Sheep and the Goats), where the reference to "the least of these" is found, and I didn't see anything about empowering a violent tax-thieving agency like the IRS to steal money from people in order to give their property to the needy. Maybe they're reading a different version of the Bible. Mine just commands us to go take care of the needy, not call the kingdoms of this world to do it. It's a great message, too! Let's get busy taking care of those who need it!
Unfortuantely for Al Gore, just five chapters earlier, Jesus had prohibited his followers from seeking the power of the kingdoms of this world. Matthew 20:25-26a: "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you."
It really turns my stomach to see the mouth-pieces of the state invoke Jesus to advance their violent agendas when Jesus' message was one commanding abstinence from violent power. Christians should be out front explaining to the world that political power over others is contrary to the teachings of Jesus. We should be exposing the evil behind the government's mask of benevolence, and we should distance the name of Jesus from that wolf in sheep's clothing.
Although I' m disgusted and somewhat shocked, it is no surprise to God. The Bible says there is nothing new under the Sun. Our all knowing God who was and is and is to come already knew Al Gore would misuse His precious words, for his own gain. Remember though, the Kings in the Bible who lost their kingdoms because of greed and selfish ambition. Ultimately God is in control. That mean's we're not. And if we think we are, then we better repent fast, because God is a jealous God, and anything that is put before Him He counts as rubbish. And with a swift merciful hand it will all be removed. It is up to us to have a clean, pure heart. Let this blunder serve as a lesson to all of us--that we should be seeking the Lord's Kingdom, not our own!
ReplyDeleteRight on, Mindy!!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I didn't think anyone would read this! Pass it on!
ReplyDeleteI get a notification every time somebody comments on my posts and I usually come and comment back.
ReplyDeleteAnd indeed, God is ultimately in control, while at the same time men are permitted free wills that can will evil, resisting God's will.