(Brooklyn Park, Minnesota) โ We believe that the Bible is authoritative. As citizens of heaven we have certain responsibilities to God to be salt and light, to talk about the truth, and to point people to the Lord Jesus Christ. There are only two kingdomsโGod’s kingdom and Satan’s kingdom. Ultimately, the question is: Which kingdom are you following?
In a constitutional republic, we have certain responsibilities as citizens here on earth. We need to exercise those responsibilities as servants and spokesmen of the Lord Jesus Christ. We should desire for the kingdom of God to be reflected in our society as much as possible despite the evil of our day. That’s why many Christians have run for various offices on a state, local, and even federal level.
My governor, Tim Walz, has been put forth to be the vice president of the United States. When that happened, my phone blew up with people asking me what kind of person he is. I replied, “Let him speak for himself.”
One revealing statement, among many, was made recently by Walz: “Don’t ever shy away from our progressive values; one person’s socialism is another person’s neighborliness.”
Let’s first break down the first portion of that statement: “Don’t ever shy away from our progressive values.” Let me ask you a question. Are those “progressive” ideas rooted in the kingdom of God or the kingdom of Satan? You will know them by their fruits. What kind of progressive ideas is he urging people not to back down from?
- The devaluing of human life โ Which includes the killing of children at any point in pregnancy.
- The celebration of unholy sexuality โ Don’t be held in restraint by those morbid Christian ideas of morality!
- The poor education of children โ We spend $23 billion a year on the budget in Minnesota, and most of the kids are failing.
- The destruction of the nuclear family
- The state ownership of children
- The Dismantling of security, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of assembly
- The rise of lawlessness and disorder โ There has been at least a 50% increase in murders in the last three years under Walz in Minnesota… let’s just go ahead and do that on a bigger scale!
The list also includes the promotion of socialism in America, which Walz addressed in the latter half of his statement: “One person’s socialism is another person’s neighborliness.”
He loves to misquote the verse about “loving your neighbor.” Socialism is not loving your neighbor. To equate those two is a gross misrepresentation of the Bible. Socialism is entirely contrary to what the Bible teaches.
Another verse people will quote is Acts 2:44, which describes early Christians coming together, selling their possessions, and having all things in common as everybody had needs. What’s the difference? In socialism, the state dictates. You sell. You give up. Then, they decide who gets it. That’s a far cry from Christians individually being compelled by God to make personal sacrifices for the advancement of the gospel and the care of the saints. There’s a big difference between those two. The question is, which one is God โ the state or the God of Heaven and Earth?
There is a reason the church has invested countless millions in caring for people, both here and around the world. It is not because of the state’s compulsionโin fact, it’s been in spite of it. It is our love for Jesus Christ, love for the gospel, and love for our neighbors that motivates us.
Socialism opposes private ownership and is built on dictatorship. It is when you covet something else that someone else possesses, and then you weaponize the State against it.
Socialism is not rooted in meritocracy. Meritocracy is taught everywhere in the Bible. Galatians 6:7 states, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” I do good things, and I reap the reward for doing good things. I do the wrong thing, and there are consequences. That’s true on a spiritual level and physical level. Proverbs 13:4 says, “The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing,” but those who are diligent and disciplined end up being honored and rewarded.
In my book “The Man Code,” one of the things I talk about is that real men assume responsibility. Who do they assume responsibility for? Themselves, their homes, their families, and their conduct. Socialism decapitates that and says, “You can trust the state. You don’t have to be responsible.”
On the ballot in Oregon in the upcoming election is a guaranteed basic income. Many believe it is a compassionate initiative. It’s not. It will lead to the poverty of the people, by using increased taxes to reward people who are not working hardโmaking them even more passive rather than more productive. It’s the exact opposite of compassion.
Socialism is not rooted in Christianity or in “neighborliness.” This isn’t political. This is how Christians process what they hear through the filter of Scripture.
We have to think about everything, including the push toward socialism and “progressive values,” in light of Scripture. The Bible gives us directionโand that’s true on a national level, a family level, and on an individual level. No one’s exempt, including kings and those who seek to be kings, from being accountable to God.
You and I are living in important days. You are the salt and light in this country for this season. Let’s make sure we make the most of it for Jesus.
