Special Testimony Relating To Politics
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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. “Be ye not
unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath
righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light
with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part
hath he that believeth with an infidel?” What can there be in common
between these parties? There can be no fellowship, no communion.
The word fellowship means participation, partnership. God employs
the strongest figures to show that there should be no union between
worldly parties and those who are seeking the righteousness of Christ.
What communion can there be between light and darkness, truth and
unrighteousness?—None whatever. Light represents righteousness;
darkness, error, sin, unrighteousness. Christians have come out of
darkness into the light. They have put on Christ, and they wear the
badge of truth and obedience. They are governed by the elevated and
holy principles which Christ expressed in His life. But the world is
governed by principles of dishonesty and injustice.
“Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received
mercy, we faint not; but have renounced the hidden things of dis-
honesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God
deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to
every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it
is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded
the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious
gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine upon them.
[477]
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves
your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to
shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of
the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” Two
parties are here brought to view, and it is shown that there can be no
union between them.
Those teachers in the church or in the school who distinguish
themselves by their zeal in politics, should be relieved of their work
and responsibilities without delay; for the Lord will not co-operate with
them. The tithe should not be used to pay any one for speechifying on
political questions. Every teacher, minister, or leader in our ranks who