Jesus said that he/his followers was no part of the world, should individual Christians be neutral?

Question

when it comes to politics and other world affairs?

*** Rbi8 John 18:36 ***

Jesus answered: “My kingdom is no part of this world. If my kingdom were part of this world, my attendants would have fought that I should not be delivered up to the Jews. But, as it is, my kingdom is not from this source.”

John 18:36

I have given your word to them, but the world has hated them, because they are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world.

John 17:14

They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world.

John 17:16

Answer 1

To answer your question, Yes. Christians realize that the future is not in the hands of men, but the hands of God.

Being the kind of Christian that Jesus insisted upon is inconvenient to most people today who consider themselves to be Christians. That's why they basically ignore what Jesus said about being no part of the world. They lack that kind of faith. They feel that God can't handle things. They feel that people have to be involved somehow.

The world system today is headed for God's destruction, according to the Bible. Those who work to keep in together are working in opposition to God, whether they know it or not.

We can individually be law-abiding citizens (voting is not mandatory, it is a right to be exercised or not) and we can individually be loving neighbors who help those who are in need.

But if we really follow the Lord Jesus Christ, we can't be part of the world. No matter how inconvenient that is.

Answer 2

Yes, it means that TRUE Christians should be politically neutral.

1 John 2:15 Do not be loving either the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him; 16 because everything in the world—the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the showy display of one’s means of life—does not originate with the Father, but originates with the world. 17 Furthermore, the world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever.

Jehovah's Witnesses are known for being politically neutral. They have suffered persecution in the past for it, with Hitler's regime. They were among the first ones taken to the concentration camps! Why? Because they refused to salute Hitler or go to war. Why? Because only God is our ruler, not men.

Acts 5:29 says 29 In answer Peter and the [other] apostles said: “We must obey God as ruler rather than men

And they are still being persecuted to this day!

Answer 3

According to the Trinity doctrine, Jesus is God, but a separate person from The Father. The doctrine teaches that there are three separate persons -- The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit -- who all comprise one God. If this teaching is true, there should not be any scripture in the Bible that portrays Jesus as an entity separate and distinct from God -- separate and distinct from the Father, yes; but not separate and distinct from God. By way of comparison, note that there is no scripture in the Bible that portrays the Father as a separate and distinct entity from God. It would be utterly ridiculous, confusing, unnecessary and contradictory for the Bible to repeatedly refer to Jesus as an entity separate and distinct from God, if Jesus is God. But the scriptures you quoted do exactly that. Again and again they speak of Jesus being at the right hand of, not the Father, but God, thus contradicting the Trinity doctrine. Since the Bible is God's word of Truth, the fact that it so often contradicts the Trinity doctrine can mean only one thing -- the Trinity doctrine is false. (John 17:17) I suspect -- because I believe most people have at least a modicum of intelligence -- that deep down, many Trinitarians know that the doctrine is false. But pride and/or a desire to fit in with the 'Christian' crowd compels them to play along, pretending or convincing themselves that they believe it. Many are thus in a state of denial about this falsehood. Just look at how they answer the question. Many won't even address the particular issue you have raised, head on -- because they can't. Their only option is to ignore it and quote other so called 'proof texts'. This is not because they lack intelligence. It is simply because there is no credible and satisfactory argument to disprove what the Bible -- God's authoritative word of Truth -- very blatantly shows.

Answer 4

Yes, Christians should be neutral. After all, the solution to our problems in the world is the kingdom. Of courses Christians should pay their taxes and abide by the law. He set a good example of this.

Answer 5

This life is a temporary human experience. Our spiritual life isn't.

We should not become enmeshed in politics or other things of this life, as they too are temporal.

If you look in the OT you will see those things that happened when the ppl wanted kings over them. Granted, a president or other political candidate is not a 'king', however the idea is the same.

We are to pray for those which are in authority over us, but perhaps the prayer should be asking that they leave us alone!

Just my 2 cents. :)

Answer 6

As a devoted Christian who is also a very political person, I would have vociferously disagreed with this for years.

Now, I'm not so sure. I may be coming around to this point of view. Life is but a vapor and if I am spending too much time being politically active and arguing my case, I lose time helping and loving people.

Answer 7

There is no such thing as being neutral. Even to claim being so is making some sort of claim. These passages speak that we are not to walk in the way the world walks. The path which leads to destruction is wide and it is clear in our society that it is wide indeed. with every passing generation what was tolerated becomes accepted. In other words the world becomes more sinful, Which is not how children of God are to be. we are to be holy as God is holy.

Answer 8

NEUTRAL?
You mean, like Switzerland? ;)

My dear, Christ's teaching is quite clear on this: if you LOVE everyone as you would yourself (aha, here's the catch! ;), then you would see the answer.

I think what you must realise is that LOVE in the sense of "charity" (the love towards others) is not necessarily an "active" emotion. Rather, it is the complete absence of judgement and hatred towards any other being.

THAT is Christian love.

(BTW: you must remember - or realise - the immense influence of translators. Not all translations of the original are good or convey the complete - or even a limited but accurate - meaning of any particular expression from the original.)

Answer 9

Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Christians who perform their civic duty of participating in the election process, supporting candidates who reflect Biblical values in their decision making, are letting their light shine in this darkened world.

It's not in the Bible, but the saying that "In order for evil to succeed, all that is necessary is for good men to do nothing" is as true today as when it was first spoken.

Answer 10

Hi Mitch...... just wanted to say ,,That True Believers followers of Jesus Christ... Live here on earth but We are not of it meaning We are Teachers Preachers Evangelist so on OF The Gospel , The Word of GOD ALMIGHTY ... GOD BLESS YOU ,,,,,, oh yes there is no neutral Christians , either you are a True Christian or you are not ....yoli;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;Just like John 17:14 says