With the conclusion of Justice Sunday II (I echo Jim’s opinion at Stone’s Cry Out), I thought now might be a good time to discuss the American evangelical church’s seeming obessions with politics and condemnation of wordly activities. Is that the best way of doing things? But more importantly is that the Biblical way of doing things?
According to 1 Corinthians we may have everything backwards.
1 Corinthians 5:9-13 (emphasis mine) says:
I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people;
I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world.
But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler–not even to eat with such a one.
For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church?
But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.
Today, I think the church has become increasingly adept at “judging outsiders.” We are skilled at pronouncing judgment on those not within our ranks, while at the same time weaker than ever at church discipline.
I understand that Jesus calls us to be “salt and light.” But unless I missed it somewhere, He didn’t call us to turn our worship services into a political rally.
As salt and light, we are to be out in the culture showing Christ to everyone we come in contact with so that they will “glorify [our] Father who is in Heaven,” not so that they will vote Republican or support conservative judges.
For the most part, I am for voting Republican (conservative) and supporting strict constitutional judges, but those are secondary concerns to presenting Christ and glorifying God. If the two come into conflict then my devotion must lie with Christ not country.
I am not neccessarily against the goals of Justice Sunday or other organizations and events, but I do not agree with capatilizing on (taking advantage of?) worship services to advance a political agenda.
When I read what some people have called the “recipe for revival” in 2 Chronicles 7:14, I can’t help but notice that it never calls “outsiders” to do anything. It calls on God’s people to humble themselves, pray, seek His face and turn from their wicked ways. Is that part of the modern day Christian political movement?
Why do some many churches and Christians today waste their time condemning lost people for acting lost? Why do so few churches and Christians hold themselves to the highest standard? Maybe if the world saw a holy Church, we wouldn’t need Justice Sundays or grass roots Christian political campaigns.