Another "Ask Steve" Question

Davy Mitchell asks: How about something regarding a Christian's relationship to governments? From democracies to dictatorships to monarchies?

Steve's Answer

As you may have noticed, I don't talk much about politics on the show here.

Does that mean that I don't think Christians should be involved in politics? Not at all.

Does that mean that I don't have any interest in political issues. Nope. I have very definite and strong opinions about many political issues.

It's just that I have made it a point to keep politics off the show. My first order of business here has always been to share the message of hope, love and good news that is contained in the Bible.

My belief is that the surest method to make a difference in our culture is to bring someone into a relationship with Jesus. Whether you are a Republican, a Democrat, or a Libertarian... a member of the Labour Party, or the Conservative Party...the thing that matters most is who you say that Jesus is. Do you know him? Do you follow His teachings? If you do, I believe that your political activities and involvement will be subject to his leading if you seek after Him.

However.

Obviously not everyone who is involved in governing is a Christian, so when it comes to fulfilling their office, chances are they will not have the same world view as a believer and will not make decisions that would correspond to our liking. Oftentimes, in today's society, their world view is the polar opposite to a Christian's, and their decisions are hostile to our values.

Unless someone is there to represent the Christian voice, it is easily conceivable that we may lose the right to express ourselves at all. So I think that it is imperative that believers be involved in politics.

Let me be clear. I DO NOT think that one's Christianity is something that should be used in order to garner votes. Too many times, I've seen politicians pander to certain religious groups, only to abandon the values they espoused once they got into office. It's gotten to the point to where I won't believe a candidate is the real deal until I've done some digging myself.

Same thing with businesses, by the way. When I see the fish symbol on a business' sign or sales literature, I wonder about them. Seems to me that if you are a Christian, your business practices or your political career will testify to it and you won't have to publicize it.

So, what does the Bible say about the believer's relationship to governments?

Listen to the show to find out...

Music On Today's Show

Recent Rainfall..."This Holy Moment"

Kimo Watanabe..."Morning On Haleakala Highway"

Michelle Gold..."You Were There"

Links To Mentioned Items

RoneyZone Productions with Jeff Roney

Email Our Military

Ed's Mixed Bag with Ed Ovett

Journey Inside My Mind with Daniel Johnson, Jr.

JPC-Design is James Cooper's Web Design business

Finishing off the "Ask Steve" question from Lifespring!152. "Steve, I hear a lot about life after death; including purgatory, heaven, hell, limbo and many other things. What does the Bible actually say about life after death, and where did the other ideas come from? Thanks in advance, Alex."

On today's show, I talk about Heaven, Hell and Limbo. Are they real? What does the Bible say?

Finishing off the "Ask Steve" question from Lifespring!152. "Steve, I hear a lot about life after death; including purgatory, heaven, hell, limbo and many other things. What does the Bible actually say about life after death, and where did the other ideas come from? Thanks in advance, Alex."

On today's show, I talk about Heaven, Hell and Limbo. Are they real? What does the Bible say?

An email from a listener was the basis for today's show: "Steve, I hear a lot about life after death; including purgatory, heaven, hell, limbo and many other things. What does the Bible actually say about life after death, and where did the other ideas come from? Thanks in advance, Alex"

On today's show I address the two first parts of Alex's note: life after death, and purgatory.

Special thanks to my Catholic friend on helping me talk about purgatory.

Today's music is Marty Buttwinick with "Car Ride - Julia Nonet's - Woodwind - String Orchestra"

Link for the terrific hard drive repair software I mentioned in the show: "Test Disk" http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk

An email from a listener was the basis for today's show: "Steve, I hear a lot about life after death; including purgatory, heaven, hell, limbo and many other things. What does the Bible actually say about life after death, and where did the other ideas come from? Thanks in advance, Alex"

On today's show I address the two first parts of Alex's note: life after death, and purgatory.

Special thanks to my Catholic friend on helping me talk about purgatory.

Today's music is Marty Buttwinick with "Car Ride - Julia Nonet's - Woodwind - String Orchestra"

Link for the terrific hard drive repair software I mentioned in the show: "Test Disk" http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk

I had a great conversation with RevTim and Jeff Roney at the Podcast and New Media Expo about "Why Bad Things Happen To Good People." I think you'll enjoy listening in. The audio quality is not the best, but the content is good, so take a listen.

If you EVER have need of a good machine shop, Texarkana Machine, Inc. is the place you should go. They did some awesome work for me, and I recommend them highly. This is a completely unpaid endorsement. I just had some work done by them, and it was awesome! Kerri Crocker's father owns the business.

I had a great conversation with RevTim and Jeff Roney at the Podcast and New Media Expo about "Why Bad Things Happen To Good People." I think you'll enjoy listening in. The audio quality is not the best, but the content is good, so take a listen.

If you EVER have need of a good machine shop, Texarkana Machine, Inc. is the place you should go. They did some awesome work for me, and I recommend them highly. This is a completely unpaid endorsement. I just had some work done by them, and it was awesome! Kerri Crocker's father owns the business.

On today's show, I announce the winner of the AMD powered, Windows Vista Ultimate Media Center PC.

In addition, I bring you Podenstein, brainchild of Ron, from Griddlecakes Radio. For more information, check out the Podenstein website.

It's a very different episode for Lifespring!, and I hope you enjoy it.

On today's show, I announce the winner of the AMD powered, Windows Vista Ultimate Media Center PC.

In addition, I bring you Podenstein, brainchild of Ron, from Griddlecakes Radio. For more information, check out the Podenstein website.

It's a very different episode for Lifespring!, and I hope you enjoy it.

This episode is called "Falling Into God".

What do I mean by that? There used to be a series of tv commercials for an iced tea company. I think it was Lipton. The end of these commercials always showed someone taking a drink of the tea, smiling broadly, and then falling backward into a sparkling blue swimming pool. Remember those commercials?

The other day I was thinking about following Jesus, doing the will of God, and how so many of us have a hard time completely surrendering to Him. I think it's a trust issue.

(Listen to the show for more...)

Music:

Kerri Crocker..."Time"

Talkshoe Information for the live New Media Expo Feed:

I'll be doing the show on Friday and Sunday, both days the time will be 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.