11/04/13 STEP US AND STAND UP
I was raised in a time and place that said polite conversation did not include "religion and politics." These are two of the most important subjects in the world, and still people are so touchy that these two subjects cannot be discussed without causing division, anger and broken relationships (or violence).
Another problem that developed because of such an absurd restriction on our conversation is the inability to exchange ideas based on facts rather than emotion. Now people only listen to other people, with whom they agree, thereby developing tunnel vision and intolerance.
If our views on "religion" and politics are without merit or unappealing to people, then let them fail or be rejected in the marketplace of ideas, rather than be squelched in the shackles of prejudice.
This prejudice and resistance to the Gospel became so great that the word, "Preach" became pejorative (as in, Don't preach to me), and preaching in churches was even restricted by the idea that "religion and politics don't mix," in other words (Politics does not belong in the pulpit).
But, I realize open mindedness is not going to happen, so Christians must do the unpopular thing, the "anti-social" thing of witnessing for Christ (sharing Christ with others), "in season and out of season." We will be addressing people with a natural resistance to God, a trained resistance to God, a corporate resistance to God, a popularized resistance to God.
The Bible says that God chose the foolishness of preaching the word (NOTE... He did not chose foolish preaching). It is the proclamation of faith in the cross and the empty tomb that delivers from sin, shame and separation from God. We are to present a reasonable message and we are to present it in love.
Even then, we will encounter hatred and rejection. God is not sending us to a party, He is sending us into a spiritual war. It is not easy, but it is essential.
SCRIPTURE VERSES...
2 Timothy 4:2-4
(2) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
(3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
(4) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
1 Corinthians 1:17-21
(17) For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
(18) For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
(19) For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
(20) Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
(21) For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
2 Corinthians 5:20
(20) Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
1 Peter 3:14-15
(14) But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
(15) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Mark 13:13
(13) And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
2 Corinthians 4:2-6
(2) But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
(3) But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
(4) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
(5) For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
(6) For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 4:15
(15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
2 Timothy 2:2-4
(2) And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
(3) Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
(4) No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
