Christian Activism
Mark John Ostrum - 2006-02-05 13:32:00
As the days and years pass, Christians are seeing an ever-increasing level of end-times prophecy fulfilled. Earthquakes are becoming more numerous and stronger. Famines grip many nations. Evil is increasing. Even the tsunami in the Indian Ocean during Christmas 2004 can be a fulfillment of Jesus? prophetic words in Luke 21:25 ?On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.?
There are many things that bring Christians into indignation. All we need to do is turn on our television sets during prime time. Television programs and movies give honor to the sins our Lord has considered the most grievous, such as homosexuality and blasphemy. They expect us all to be ?open minded? and ?tolerant? of different belief systems and lifestyles.
This past week there has been quite the controversy over a cartoon in the European paper with an unfavorable depiction of Mohammad. Islamic believers are now, even as I write this article, up in arms and have been taking violent action against persons and nations involved. The Danish embassy in Beirut was set on fire. The Danish and Norwegian embassies in Damascus were also set on fire.
In the news we read about families being destroyed from within. We hear reports about one member of a family, be it a son, daughter, mother, or father, killing one or more other members of the family, often in horrible ways. We hear of sex crimes being committed within a single family in the form of child molestation.
I agree we are to be tolerant, for Jesus said for us to love our enemies, and to love the sinner. But this does not mean that we need to love the sin our sinners or enemies commit. Yet we are being fed the notion that we should not only accept the persons who commit these sins, but to accept the sin as if it were not a sin ? as if it were normal. Yet the apostle Paul tells us that we are not even to approve of such sin (Romans 1:32).
Occasionally we hear in the news about someone who claims to be Christian bombing abortion clinics. Lately we?ve been hearing about the so-called Christian leaders like Pat Robertson calling for the assassination of heads of state such as the president of Venezuela. Our so-called Christian leaders also promote massive demonstrations against gay marriage.
But what would Christ tell us about activism? What would God want from us? I believe that the coming of Christ is imminent. I believe that all these things going on in the world are happening as part of God?s design for salvation. ?Because of the increase in wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.? (Matthew 24:12). ?These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.? (Luke 21:9)
I have to wonder why these leaders would advocate and encourage activism to try and legislate the end of wickedness. The only reason I can think of is that they would want to delay the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. With all the promises and truths bound within God?s gift to us, the Holy Scriptures, why would anyone want to delay the coming of the Lord? What could they possibly be afraid of? Going home to be in heaven with our Lord is the very reward he told us all to look forward to.
So why are the leaders pushing us to take activist action? Paul wrote to Timothy in 1 Tim 6:3-10: ?If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
?But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.?
To Titus he wrote in Titus 3:1-11: ?Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.
?At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
?But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.?
When we are sinned against, we are told to turn the other cheek. When our government officials make a law, we are to obey it. The exception is when a law is passed or an order is given which would require us to do something that we know is sinful; we are to supercede the law of the land with the will of our Father in heaven.
But this exception does not require us to become activists, to demonstrate and take part in controversial issues. In fact, for us to take part in controversial issues (such as the demonstrations put on by so-called Christians on the courthouse steps in San Francisco over gay marriages) is not healthy, and does not promote the Christian faith. It most certainly is not a humble display. I can tell you as a Christian watching the Christian protestors I was embarrassed by them.
When we take part in demonstrations, or when we take matters into our own hands claiming that God told us to (such was the case of bombings of abortion clinics several years ago), we are causing a bad reflection on God.
When Jesus was here, walking on the earth, he never took part in demonstrations. Even when he was encouraged to lead a demonstration by his very apostles, he rebuked them. When his followers tried to make him king by force, he refused. This is not what he was about. Nor is it what he wants us to be about. He wants us to do things the way he did. He never involved himself in the controversies of the day. In fact, when the leaders asked him about a controversial issue, his response was to ?Give to Caesar what is Caesar?s, and to God what is God?s?. He would not get wrapped up in the useless controversies.
The Islamists are doing what they believe and what they are taught. They are taking violent vengeance against those who oppose their system of beliefs. This says a lot about who they are and whom they trust. When Christians take violent vengeance or even involve themselves in foolish protests, how would this reflect on our King?
Finally, what purpose does it really server to take political action such as we see in our nation (and the world) today? To change the laws, or to prevent laws from being passed, that would delay the coming of our King? Wickedness must increase. Let it. Do nothing more than praying to our Father to send his Son, Jesus Christ, to take us home. Let the evildoers do their own thing. Do not judge them, for they stand in judgment already by God. ?What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside.? (1 Corinthians 5:12-13)
I say it is time for us to quietly rejoice in the public persecution of Christianity. For Jesus said, ?Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness for theirs is the kindom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.? (Matthew 5:10-12). I say it is time we quote the book of Revelations 22:20: ?Come, Lord Jesus.?