I recently heard Joe Focht, pastor of Calvary Chapel of Philadelphia, make a statement that I really, really liked. And I took the liberty of taking what he said and expanding it, because I think it is so very important for many of us—specifically here in America—to take all of this into consideration. Now, it's going to sound a little like one of those cheesy church bulletin boards at first, but just bear with me.
There are a lot of conspiracies going on about presidents, current and former, International Bankers, Mega Corporations, and so on, and so on. If you're not being bogged down with stories about the evils of the Bush Administration, you're being bogged down with stories about the evils of the Obama Administration. But what we need to remember is the reality that there is an even greater Conspiracy...
And it's Christianity.
It's the Bible.
It's Jesus Christ. It's the power of His Gospel to change hearts, nations. It seeps into peoples' minds, changes their lives, topples tyranny, defeats death, strengthens homes, breaks the boundaries of race, gender, culture, class, rich and poor.
It is the only Faith loving enough to be honest and tell us that we are broken and in need of Help. The only Faith loving enough to tell us the work is finished, we need only surrender to the Savior. The only Faith loving enough to be honest and say there is only One Way.
When the world says "Go left," our Faith says "Go right." When the world says "Think this way," our Faith says "Believe that way." When the world says "That's illogical or irrational," our Faith says "Its Superlogical and Superrational."
When the world says "There are no absolutes...." our God states "I AM."
This isn't Christians vs. Unbelievers or Unbelievers vs. Christians. This isn't Men vs.Women or Women vs. Men. This isn't Conservatives vs. Liberals or Liberals vs. Conservatives.
This is the the world versus God. And Jesus Christ has said that He has overcome the world (Jn. 16:33).
The question is: Do we live like that's true? Or do we try to fight the world on it's terms, not realizing that battle has already been fought and won by Christ?
Now, before you take this as an accusation of how "terrible the Church in America has gotten," let me make something clear: I believe there are no greater sources of anti-Christian propaganda than in the media and in much (though not all) of the public educational system. I believe, and actually know, that the Church here in the United States is doing more to address the issues of poverty and racism and abortion and Biblical values than we are being led to believe.
But that doesn't mean there aren't still those of us who are not doing anything.
I recently had the privilege of watching Kirk Cameron's new film Monumental, in which he talks about how he has heard Christians saying "We should be glad that things are getting bad, because that means Jesus is coming soon!" But Cameron points out, and I believe rightly so, does that truly mean we should sit and do nothing? Does it not then become a self-fulfilling prophecy?
And yet, that is the worldview that some have adapted.
Why polish brass on a sinking ship?
We would much rather sit at our computers or in front of our TV sets and trace out all the different conspiracies, all the governmental problems, and the problems with society, then actually do something.
If there is one recommendation that I heard recently that has really stuck with me, it's this: We Christians need to get back to the priorities. We need to get back to our families and focus on strengthening them in Biblical values. We need to do what we can, where we are. We can act. We don't need to wait for the government to address these issues. We can address poverty as Ambassadors of Christ who have been charged with caring for the poor. We can do what we can to reach out to women who are considering abortion. We have the ability to address these Biblical issues. Biblically. While man-appointed laws can be helpful, we don't need to wait for them.
The Gospel is the only true answer to all the problems going on in our Country, today. We need to counter these supposed "conspiracies" by furthering the work of The Conspiracy. The proclamation of the love of God in the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The call to Repentance and Reconciliation with the Heavenly Father. Then, and only then, can we see true "Change."
We can't afford to mess around anymore. We need to get back to the timeless truth, inerrancy, and sufficiency of the Holy Bible as that by which we measure everything else. We need to get back to the Biblical Worldview.
Do I want this for myself and my generation? Of course! But I can tell you in all honesty that my full concern is for the next generation. I may not have kids myself, but I have nieces and nephews who are growing up in a difficult nation filled with confusion on morality, confusion on Biblical values, heck, confusion on every day issues. And I want them to grow up, as I know their parents do, strong in their Faith, uncompromising, unswayed by what the world is trying to teach them, and clinging to God. And it honestly can get pretty scary when I view my generation...
My generation is sadly struggling with the problem of Postmodern philosophy. And not just outside the Church, but within the Church as well. I, myself, struggled with it for over a year and I can honestly say it was one of the hardest battles I have ever come through. I don't wish that on anyone. And yet people in my age group are going through it right now, and it breaks my heart knowing that.
But it inspires me to remember what the priorities are. It inspires me to reach out to them either directly, or in prayer. It inspires me to remember that our God is a merciful God, who loves His children, and who has a Remnant. He always has a Remnant. No matter how difficult things get. And that Remnant, no matter how small, no matter how outnumbered can do incredible things in Christ.
Let's remember that as we further the work of His Kingdom here in America.
Do I want this for myself and my generation? Of course! But I can tell you in all honesty that my full concern is for the next generation. I may not have kids myself, but I have nieces and nephews who are growing up in a difficult nation filled with confusion on morality, confusion on Biblical values, heck, confusion on every day issues. And I want them to grow up, as I know their parents do, strong in their Faith, uncompromising, unswayed by what the world is trying to teach them, and clinging to God. And it honestly can get pretty scary when I view my generation...
My generation is sadly struggling with the problem of Postmodern philosophy. And not just outside the Church, but within the Church as well. I, myself, struggled with it for over a year and I can honestly say it was one of the hardest battles I have ever come through. I don't wish that on anyone. And yet people in my age group are going through it right now, and it breaks my heart knowing that.
But it inspires me to remember what the priorities are. It inspires me to reach out to them either directly, or in prayer. It inspires me to remember that our God is a merciful God, who loves His children, and who has a Remnant. He always has a Remnant. No matter how difficult things get. And that Remnant, no matter how small, no matter how outnumbered can do incredible things in Christ.
Let's remember that as we further the work of His Kingdom here in America.
