Our Relations to Civil Rulers and Laws
409
the word of God. We cannot with safety vote for political parties; for
we do not know whom we are voting for. We cannot with safety take
part in any political scheme.
Those who are Christians indeed will be branches of the true vine,
and will bear the same fruit as the vine. They will act in harmony,
in Christian fellowship. They will not wear political badges, but the
badge of Christ.
What are we to do, then?—Let political questions alone.
There is a large vineyard to be cultivated; but while Christians are
to work among unbelievers, they are not to appear like worldlings.
They are not to spend their time talking politics or acting politics; for
by so doing they give the enemy opportunity to come in and cause
variance and discord.
God’s children are to separate themselves from politics, from any
alliance with unbelievers. Do not take part in political strife. Separate
from the world, and refrain from bringing into the church or school
ideas that will lead to contention and disorder. Dissension is the moral
poison taken into the system by human beings who are selfish
Danger in Making Unguarded Statements
Teach the people to conform in all things to the laws of their state
when they can do so without conflicting with the law of God
By some of our brethren many things have been spoken and written
that are interpreted as expressing antagonism to government and law.
It is a mistake thus to lay ourselves open to misunderstanding. It is
not wise to find fault continually with what is done by the rulers of
government. It is not our work to attack individuals or institutions. We
should exercise great care lest we be understood as putting ourselves
in opposition to the civil authorities. It is true that our warfare is
aggressive, but our weapons are to be those found in a plain “Thus
[317]
saith the Lord.” Our work is to prepare a people to stand in the great
day of God. We should not be turned aside to lines that will encourage
controversy or arouse antagonism in those not of our faith.
The time will come when unguarded expressions of a denunciatory
character, that have been carelessly spoken or written by our brethren,
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Gospel Workers, 391-395
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Testimonies for the Church 9:238