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Posts tagged ‘Salt and Light’

Religion and Politics: The Fire Is On the Wire


waving flagBy:  Anne Reed, Posted: Thursday, April 30, 2015

URL of the Original Posting Site: http://www.afa.net/the-stand/the-culture-war/religion-and-politics-the-fire-is-on-the-wire/

Religion and Politics: The Fire Is On the Wire“…it is growing more and more evident that “sharing the gospel” and “getting involved in politics” are not just loosely intertwined, but soldered together.”

– Anne Reed

Several years ago, I began to grow weary of the common belief that Christians should not be involved in politics or take any interest in civil government. Many have fallen into this category of thinking because of a secular view of separation of church and state. David Barton of WallBuilders clearly dispels this myth.

To form their argument, many stress God’s sovereignty, clarifying that political leaders are in position because God Salt and Light 02ordained it. And, well, we should just submit and stay out of it. Some say that we should not be involved with politics because it’s corrupt. That is exactly the reason why we should be there…to take light into the darkness!  Maybe our government is so corrupt precisely because we have stayed out of it!  Maybe we have been very poor stewards of God’s blessings.  

Why would He be in control of every area of life and send us into every corner no matter how dark (prisons, human trafficking situations, sick-filled hospitals, dangerous neighborhoods, the sidewalks of abortion facilities, etc.) and yet not ordain His children to participate in the government He has put in place? And in America, that doesn’t necessarily mean we are required to serve in a political office to be involved. 

Was God not sovereign when the Constitution was written giving authority to the people? The Declaration of Independence clearly identifies God as the giver of our rights, and places the responsibility of government on the governed (that would be us):

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness – that to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, – That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive to those ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying it’s foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to affect their Safety and Happiness.

Some believe we need to get off our “high horse” as President Obama recently put it. We absolutely need to humble ourselves, repent and pray! And, we must engage in the culture war that is essentially a fight (not of flesh and blood) to uphold God’s name in our nation. I know that as I’ve become more and more aware of the realities of our day, I’ve also become increasingly aware of my own part as I ignored or slothfully watched the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob painfully dishonored in countless ways. For this, I am ashamed.

When we turn from our old attitudes of indifference and complacency, evidence is seen through our obedience to God and His Word, regardless of what others may think of us or what names they may call us. That is not a pride thing – that is a faithful thing. 

And sometimes accusations and attacks come from inside the camp. Those are more painful. Even so, we should salt and light 04produce fruit that is worthy of repentance. He makes us salt and light – not a dim light or flavorless salt!  What use are those?  

When Jesus left key instructions for His disciples, He knew they would doubt what He was about to say:

When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:17-20 NASB)” 

Why do we doubt the authority of Christ? It feels safe when we sit in soft chairs in our comfortably heated and cooled sanctuaries to worship. We can easily sit there in a state of doubt. But to take ourselves into the places of uncertainty is altogether different. We may risk the loss of friends, comforts, and even safety. If we believe Jesus is who He says He is and that He really is with us, we will go and make disciples of all nations, including this one! That means we are to preach the whole gospel – a message that is increasingly offensive.

In light of many currents dragging away our freedoms, it is growing more and more evident that “sharing the gospel” and “getting involved in politics” are not just loosely intertwined, but soldered together. This has proven true by recent lawsuits forcing Christians to get involved in political and legal battles by simply holding true to their Godly convictions.

Aaron and Melissa Klein, the owners of Sweet Cakes By Melissa in Oregon have been required to pay $135,000 to compensate a lesbian couple for emotional suffering after they declined to make a cake for their same-sex wedding.

First, let me say this: I’m planning a wedding currently. I ordered the cake just a few days ago. If the baker had told me she couldn’t bake the cake because she didn’t agree with heterosexual marriage, or for whatever reason, I would not have suffered emotionally. I’m not that fragile. I would have called another bakery – simple as that.

But aside from that, homosexual activists were not satisfied with the win or monetary gain unless it destroyed the Klein family financially. When a GoFundMe account was set up, 81% ($109,000) of their $135,000 fine was secured in less than eight hours. GoFundMe acquiesced to pressure and closed the account.

Although we are obviously not experiencing the degree of persecution that other nations endure (sometimes to death), the fire is on the wire (as in the featured photo). And we can no longer hide behind our fears and excuses. 

Will God give us a way out? Is it too late for us to return to Godly behavior in our nation?  Proverbs 29:2 says, “When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, But when a wicked man rules, people groan (NASB).” 

A Pew research poll conducted in September 2014 presents a somewhat hopeful picture. When asked whether churches and other houses of worship should express their views on day-to-day social and political issues, 49% said yes, and 48% said they should keep out of political matters. This is up from 2010, when 52% wanted churches to keep out of politics, while only 43% wanted churches to express their political views.

In reality, our true hope is found in Jesus Christ our Lord. His Kingdom cannot be destroyed. And we are told in Matthew 10:28: “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (NASB).” So, regardless, we win. But, I personally long to see a faithful Church stand true to God; that He may be glorified, worshipped and honored.

Samaritan’s Purse has set up a fund to help the Kleins and other Christians recover from religious persecution: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/christian-couple-faces-135000-fine/#donateBottom OARLogo Picture6

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LESSER OF TWO EVILS? Statement on Christian Voting


MId Term drawing

Posted on November 2, 2014

by Pastor Calvin Lindstrom, Pastor John Kirkwood, Pastor James Pittman

URL of Original Posting Site: http://clashdaily.com/2014/11/lesser-two-evils-statement-christian-voting/

two cherriesStatement on Christian Voting from the Christian Emergency League

The decision to vote for a candidate is a weighty duty. Exodus 18:20, though not directly speaking about voting for candidates, specifies that those invested with political authority should be men who fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness. The Apostle Paul in Romans 13 describes those who serve in government as ministers of God. Those who serve must know that they will one day give account to Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. All those who vote also must recognize that they are equally responsible to King Jesus. Voters must not compromise principles they hold outside of the voting booth on Election Day.

Often conservative voters are conflicted when a race leaves only the lesser of two evils. The Christian Emergency League encourages a different mindset than just voting for the lesser of two or three or more evils. Rather than just asking which candidate is the lesser of two evils, should you not rather ask, does a candidate truly deserve your vote?

Sometimes Christians are accused of being single-issue voters. What fools we are if we think the pro-life position is a line that cannot be crossed. But what fools we are if we think supporting candidates who will not speak for the voiceless, will be your voice in Springfield or Washington. Can we expect God to bless a vote for someone who will not seek to protect innocent life?

It must be freely admitted voting based on principles may lead to additional years of incompetent and corrupt rule under someone like Gov. Quinn in the state of Illinois.

The Christian Emergency League is well aware that social conservative Christians may be singled out for blame. This we submit is a small burden in defense of principle and truth. We further submit that the damage to truly conservative and Christian principles caused by a compromised politician like Mr. Rauner is greater than what Gov. Quinn can bring. Let us hope and pray that Rauner becomes a byword in Illinois politics save his repentance.

In Service to King Jesus and His Truth

Pastor Calvin Lindstrom Pastor John Kirkwood Pastor James Pittman

Image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/miamism/7336918780/

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It is abundantly clear from Jesus teaching that He desires for His followers to be “Salt and Light” in this corrupt world. “Salt is a preservative that slows the putrefaction process. “Light” exposes the truth hiding in the darkness, because as Jesus taught in John 3:19-21, that men love darkness instead of light because they know that their deeds are evil.

One of the greatest ways a Christian can be “Salt and Light” is to vote. Staying home, doing nothing, plays into the hands of the Prince of Darkness’ rule. One reason our country is in such a mess is that 40%, or more, of Evangelical Christians stay home on voting day. That is abundant sin. That stands diametrically opposed to God because He created this country to be a source of spreading the Gospel worldwide. He gave us this nation, founded by His appointed men, to create a nation of freedoms that is based on His Word, God’s administration in Heaven, and His purpose for our religious freedom opposing any and all forms of oppression.

As a Christian, I am often ashamed the Church in America. While our brothers and sisters in Christ are suffering unspeakable suffering in persecution around the world, we have become so apathetic and listless. I hear supposed Christians say that they don’t want to make people turned off from the Gospel by expressing a political opinion, or standing for righteousness and holiness. That is a lie right out of the pit of hell. The human fallen spirit hates the light because it exposes everything they hold to be dear. They know their wrong. They know their sinners. With Adam’s fall, came the knowledge of good and evil, right and wrong, as Paul said to the Romans in chapter one, all men are without excuse before God because all men are born with that knowledge. That is the reason that the persecution of the Church worldwide, is growing in intensity here in America. We will see more persecution than ever before in history. Jesus said that they will kill us thinking they are doing God a service. However, a vast majority of American Christians have no idea that the persecution they are trying to avoid, will eventually trigger the falling away of believers Jesus foretold would happen, just before the end of days, and His return.

Hopefully you can feel my heart as I write this. I am torn up inside knowing what is about to happen. The question remains, what are YOU going to do?

Jerry Broussard of WhatDidYouSay.org

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Christians May Be Unwittingly Hastening America’s Transformation


Obamacare

Susan Calloway Knowles — October 11, 2014

Read more at http://joeforamerica.com/2014/10/christians-may-unwittingly-hastening-americas-transformation/

It’s a bold statement to make that Christians may be unwittingly hastening America’s transformation but it needs to be said.

Most Christians would be shocked to think that they had anything to do with negatively impacting the country that they love so much and have, in many cases, even fought to protect.

However, it needs to be discussed because America as we know it is being changed beyond recognition on a daily basis.

As state primaries occur and as the 2016 elections draw near, it is high time that Christians recognize their invaluable potential in changing the course of our country.

For far too long now, many Christians have chosen to stay home instead of getting out to vote in national, state, and local elections. The reasons vary for their apathy, but commonly there are two factors which keep Christians home.

Either Christians believe that there is no one worth electing because the candidate does not hold their same Biblical beliefs or Christians wonder if they, pursuant to Biblical principles, should even vote at all.

While I am not a Biblical scholar, I know one thing for certain and that is the Bible is not filled with a lot of indifference or the absence of actions taken by Christians.salt and light

David didn’t slay Goliath by staying home. Joshua didn’t bring down the walls of Jericho by refusing to obey God’s direction to join in the battle.

Certainly, Christ didn’t raise Lazarus from the dead by choosing not to travel to Bethany. Christ was anything but apathetic. He stood for truth and continued to speak out until the day He was crucified. He was and is a model for Christians to follow.

Christians have many modern day battles that call for them to respond. Every day in the news there are stories about Planned Parenthood and their continuing efforts to abort unborn children. Christians can effectuate positive change in this area by opposing congressional, presidential, or even state and local candidates who are in favor of abortion.

By not voting, Christians are tacitly showing their approval or at least not voicing their opposition to this highly controversial issue.

Additionally, problems involving the education of Christian children are at the core of Biblical principles and need the support of Christians everywhere. Issues regarding how children are raised and the principles they are taught are at the forefront of importance to most parents or guardians. Only parents or guardians should determine what is ultimately appropriate for their children to learn or eat in school, not the government. Parents or guardians need to attend local school board meetings, extracurricular school activities, and other important school meetings concerning their children to ensure that moral principles are being taught. Christians standing up and speaking out in local school districts is a reminder to government that parents, not government, are ultimately in charge of their children’s education.

Parents may also have to consider changing school districts, enrolling their child into charter schools, searching for faith-based programs, or looking at the benefits of homeschooling in order to remain in control. Recently, it was discovered, that while spending less toward each child’s education, charter schools, produce far better educational results than do traditional public schools. Charter schools, typically do not get extensive funding that traditional public schools receive from the federal government. What charter schools do receive, however, appears to be used more efficiently. In addition, because charter schools are not heavily funded by the government, they appear far more receptive to parent decision-making in their programs.

You may recall earlier this year, that New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, moved to prevent three charter schools from using public space. His actions caused some charter schools to close. His unilateral decision, took the issue out of the hands of parents and placed it solely in the hands of government. De Blasio only began to backtrack on his decision when those who had helped him get elected, began to voice their displeasure because their children attended the very charter schools he closed. Had proponents not raised concerns, de Blasio’s plan to rid New York City of charter schools may have succeeded, leaving parents with one less excellent choice.

To paraphrase, Christians are the salt of the earth and the light of the world, according to Matthew 5:13-14. Remaining complacent, when it comes to the important issues in this country that impact our children and our constitutional rights, surely is not what God envisioned for Christians when He said those words.salt and light

Freedom of choice allows all of us to continue to shape this country and this world. This does not mean taking away the rights of others in the process. What it does mean, however, and what history has shown us is that we are obligated to be preservers of the truth and freedom until the very end.

Christians may hold the key to stopping or at least slowing the transformation of this country into an unrecognizable nation. Taking no action guarantees that we will continue to see our constitutional rights eroded and our right to speak out as Christians eventually suppressed.

Choose this election season to make a difference for yourself, your children, and others! Get out and vote

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Hello, Church! America’s Fate Is in Your Hands


Read more at http://clashdaily.com/2014/07/hello-church-americas-fate-hands/#MK9wwVBRg5hyk7wV.99

Written by Steve Pauwels on July 7, 2014

pulling ropeTwo Sundays past, my church participated in “Call2Fall” — Family Research Council’s annual event which encourages Christian assemblies across America to devote five minutes on their knees in corporate prayer for their land. We directed fully half of our service to that end — and a bracing period of repentance for the United States’ manifold sins and intercession for her restoration resulted. 

At some point during our exercise, it once again occurred to me — something considered axiomatic to millions of God-revering, church-going Americans of another time but too frequently shunned in our spiritually lazy, secularly correct, separation-of-church-and-state age: the fate of this nation turns chiefly upon what happens within her churches. 

Jesus dubbed His people “salt and light” — the preservational force, the illuminating  guide of human society. He said that; not power-hungry America the movie with hyperlinkecclesiastics, not rabid members of the oft-dreaded “religious right” — the Son of God uncorked that commission. 

Heavy stuff. 

Call2Fall is a fine idea, but barely scratches the surface of the church’s assignment. And by my lights, an awful lot regarding this Republic’s future,  in ways portentous indeed, hinges on the degree to which God’s “house” — what the apostle also calls “the pillar and ground of truth” (1 Tim 3:15) — discharges her heaven-endowed, terrestrially fulfilled responsibility. Yes, God is sovereign. Ultimately only His Spirit can accomplish anything of eternal value. But, inscrutably, the Scriptures make clear He’s chosen to operate meaningfully through His children. Recall, “Christ in you [is] the hope of glory” (Col 1:27).

As Bible teacher Derek Prince poetically put it: “Bend the church, bow the world”. The ekklesia of believers Jesus came to raise up has a duty to guarantee the nations yield to His ways and wisdom. 

Click on image to see movie trailer and more

Click on image to see movie trailer and more

 

Certainly, Christ’s followers ought to count their prime “citizenship…in heaven” (Phil 3:20). Yet, there remains an obligation to the spiritual and temporal well-being of wherever it is we call our earthly home. While they dwelt in fearsome Babylon, exiled and harassed Israel was enjoined to seek the good of that city (Jer 29:7). Paul charged Pastor Timothy to pray “for all men … and all who are in authority” (1:Tim 2:1-4). The first, archetypal man was created to ” fill the earth and subdue it” (Gen 1:28**). 

Biblically speaking, and contrary to the colossally wrong-headed but regrettably popular aphorism, to be “heavenly minded” really is to be the most “earthly good”. 

This “stewardship” is gravely entrusted to the residents of God’s Kingdom: to serve, uphold in righteousness, care for the world, and specifically, the nation in which they find themselves. In case I’m being too nuanced: for the “American” disciple of Jesus that means he/she carries a duty to see His incomparable will accomplished in every sliver of American life. It’s a sacred fealty, to be prosecuted consistently, over a lifetime, in the most practicable ways here on red-white-and-blue terra firma. 

They’ll be ways so unsparingly practicable as, at times, to seem nearly mundane; but they’re anything but that:cp 11

  • Disciplining yourself to pray, pray, pray. Either God saves this Republic, or we’re cooked.
  • Putting in effort to be sufficiently informed  to respond with discernment concerning laws, policies and regulations which will shape individuals and, eventually, the culture of communities, states, a country. 
  • Whenever the opportunity presents itself, voting in alignment with God’s priorities. Imagine! Investing a few moments to check a box, to cast a ballot, and by that simple step doing our part promoting light and pushing back darkness.  
    • Revolutionary War leader Sam Adams adjured, “Let each citizen remember at the moment he is offering his vote that he is … executing one of the most solemn trusts in human society for which he is accountable to God and his country.”
    • President Calvin Coolidge similarly urged each patriot to “approach the ballot box in the spirit that they would approach a sacrament”. 
  • Graciously but unabashedly making known the Divine perspective — Scriptural truth for every corner of life – to elected officials, public servants and the guy in the cubicle beside you or living next door. 
    • As I heard Sen. Ted Cruz’s father Rafael  recently remind a roomful of pastors: the Christian’s job description is not to preach “just the Gospel”, ie, confining himself to tutoring sinners on how to get into heaven. It comprises making clear “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27); for this age and that to come; as the Apostle Peter phrased it, “all that pertains to life and godliness” (2 Pet 1:3).
  • Perhaps standing for office oneself?  At some juncture, men and women purposefully committed to godliness must step into strategic leadership roles if a society is to operate according to God’s design. In demand right now? Twenty-first century versions of problem-solving Joseph in Egypt, Daniel serving in Nebuchadnezzar’s court, Esther, Mordecai, Nehemiah functioning in high places. 

Make no mistake,  the “salt-and-light” mandate will require stepping out of what many would  call their “comfort zone”.  It can get challenging, costly — even a little scary?Christian Persecution

Some twenty years ago I was sitting in a local Dunkin’ Donuts when swept in one of our then-Congressmen who was running for re-election. He was a Republican, but a social liberal — in today’s argot, a consummate “RINO” squish. I wincingly remember feeling God’s searaching, “Well-waddya-gonna-do?” gaze boring into the back of my skull. 

Contrary to my bluff and opinionated personality, I’ve never relished personal confrontation. But that coffee-shop moment was my hands-on opportunity to be “salt and light” to someone whose decisions could potentially make a real difference. So, lump in my throat, I approached him and politely let him know he couldn’t count on my support — and why. 

I suppose I passed that test. Of course, there’ll be many others — for me, for every believer, for the church corporately. The Judge of the Universe has his eyes fixed on us all and He’s asking, “I’ve put America in your hands — what will you do with her?” We’ll provide an acceptable answer to that question now — or answer for failing to do so on that day we stand before Him. 

**Emphases in Scripture references added.

Image Courtesy of: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alonsoinostrosa/3330133274

Obama defending muslims

Confused

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A Devotional by Dr. David Jeremiah


Worship … and Serve

”Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.'”

Matthew 4:10

Recommended Reading: Matthew 4:1-11; 4:1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'”
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'”
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'”
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. NIV

In his book Called to Worship, Vernon Whaley writes, “True worship embraces love for the people of God—demonstrated through service…. Our worship of God cannot be isolated from the real world or trapped inside the walls of our ‘secret place.’ It must impact us to reach out to and at times confront the culture around us.”

In the New Testament the Pharisees knew much about God and His Law, but they didn’t have compassion for the people around them. When the Lord Jesus healed someone on the Sabbath, the Pharisees were critical. But true worshippers exhibit a God-like behavior that touches the lives of others in service. When we truly worship God, we’re transformed into His likeness and become people who reach out to others and serve them. When we enter into the needs of other people and begin to minister to them, we recapture the sense of the wonder of who God is.

Sing a song of praise to the Lord today. Find a way to serve God and touch the lives of those around you.

When God’s people turn their hearts to biblical worship, there will be social change. And with that change comes ethical and moral accountability.

Vernon Whaley


© 2013 Turning Point

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Pastors or Pansies? Equipping Christians to Engage Our Era’s Culture


http://clashdaily.com/2013/10/pastors-pansies-equipping-christians-engage-eras-culture/#sZRyekTdiwCBJvma.99

By 

pansy edit

If you were to ask around, what do you suppose most people would say a pastor’s job is?  To “marry and bury” might come up, and that is among his duties.  But there must be something more than that, right?

In some places, you might get an answer of being “relevant”.  Others might see him as an administrator over all of the daily goings-on of church life.  Sort of a CEO of the church, whose word is law?

Maybe the guy handcuffed by the demands “prominent families”, or perhaps the workhorse responsible for so many odd jobs that his own wife and kids are neglected.  Is that what being a pastor is all about?

No.

Emphatically, no.

The name, pastor, should say it all; it means “shepherd”.  To understand the role the pastor plays, consider how a shepherd helps his flock.

If you see Ezekiel’s rebuke of the leaders of his generation (Ezekiel 34), you will get a sense of how God sees that role.  Feed the sheep. Strengthen the weak, gather the lost, heal the sick, protect them from predators.

Why?  What is the objective behind “shepherding the sheep”?  Ephesians 4 answers that question.  (paraphrasing:) To equip the saints for the work of the ministry, to build up the body of Christ, resulting in a mature, unified faith and knowledge of the Son of God.  To build up right relationship with God, and each other in love, so that we are not swept away by those who will certainly come to deceive and cheat us.

Is the pastor’s function to give us a list of do’s and don’ts?  Nope.  It is to tell us how special we are and how wonderful he wants life on terra firma to be, with a big house and a fat wallet?  That’s missing the point.  Is it to entertain, amuse and tickle your funny bone?

None of those things.  But in the anything-goes affirmation society we have built for ourselves, the real answer won’t fly with many “Christians”.

The pastor’s job is to help you grow up.  To give you solid food that will sustain you for the journey.  To teach you how to recognize hazards on the way.  To help you understand the tactics that will be used against you, and properly counter them.  To help you connect with another unit of Mature Ones, to go out and find others who need helping, protection, or direction, and become a Provider, rather than just the Provided-For.  Basically pastors help ordinary people get up and join the fray.

Is that what we see today?  Are they offering solid food, or candy-floss?  Are we taught about real hazards, or does he blow sunshine up our backsides, too afraid of upsetting the Dear Ones?  Does he help the flock to understand the adversary’s tactics, or is he ignorant of them himself?  Is he there to groom children for maturity, or does he extend his congregation’s childhood indefinitely, offering a diet of pablum that cannot possibly sustain?

Look around.

See how many congregations and denominations are empty shells of what they once were.  How many have fallen to Compromise, Pietism, Pragmatism, Relativism, or Liberal Theologies.  How many are split, or so consumed with self-centered pursuits that they hardly remember the word “Gospel”, let alone how to preach it.

The enemy does not intend to fight fair, or give advance warning.  It’s our job to be alert.  Do not be ignorant of the enemy’s schemes.  There’s another wave coming.  Are you ready?  Or will you stand back and watch your flock become another trophy on Screwtape’s mantlepiece?

It’s time to stand up and give a solid defense of the gospel.  To take public stands on current issues.  It will not make you popular, but you were not called to be popular.  A servant is not above his master, so remember how Christ was treated.

Here is just one example of what we need to be ready.  This summer, while churches vacationed, and had covered-dish dinners, a determined group of 50 hand-selected people got focused training on how to flip the Church’s opinions on marriage — from the inside.

They were required to read 1,100 pages of dense academic reading material even before they could attend the seminar. They are not intellectual lightweights, they are not unprepared, and they are not to be easily dismissed.  Matthew Vines and company have a plan they intend to execute.

Says Vines, “we need to participate in the discussion on two levels,” he said. “We need to have the academics, the facts, the hermeneutics on the issue, but we also need to be winsome. We need to be engaging. We need to be kind in our approach to it. It’s not simply about winning the factual debate. It’s about winning both the mind and the heart.”

If pastors do not make their sheep ready for such threats, they should re-read Ezekiel 34, and see what God has to say about shepherds who fail to protect their flocks.  Or better still, the previous chapter, and its warning to those who fail to sound the alarm when a threat was coming.

Christ condemns those preachers who merely entertain “itching ears”.  He reserves his praise for those he finds faithful to the Master’s call.

Which one are you?

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