| From
the Church on the Hill
by D. Eric Williams Pastor, Cottonwood Community Church In last week's article we discussed the satanic origins of human and human-animal embryonic stem cell experimentation. I concluded the article by saying that "the Church must stand for truth in every circumstance; nevertheless some issues demand our most vocal resistance." This week I want to discuss those areas of life that Christians can safety leave along: those parts of life that are "neutral" and best left to the non-sectarian experts. To begin with, allow me to provide you with a tally of the items that fall into the neutral zone. The human activities of this present life which are of no concern to the Church add up to. zero. None, nada, zilch. The fact of the matter is that there is no area of life that is neutral. There is nothing that we are supposed to surrender to the enemy. Every square inch in this universe is meant to be subject to the King of kings and Lord of lords Jesus Christ. Now, when I say that "the Church must stand for truth in every circumstance" I am not suggesting that the institution of the Church should involve itself in the political process or compromise the integrity of the familial bond. The role of the Church is one of preaching and proclaiming. The Church has the responsibility to proclaim salvation in Christ alone and the truth of His lordship over all of creation (Matt. 28:18-20). She is to discipline and instruct the followers of Jesus Christ, teaching them to obey His commands and to take His rule into every area of their lives. The Church is not supposed to use the power of the state to enforce religious observance; it must hold forth the plumb line of biblical truth as an unwavering standard and advise (in an open forum), concerning morality, law and justice. In the mean time, individual Christians should involve themselves in every aspect of culture. It has been said that culture is simply religion externalized. In other words, our fundamental beliefs impel our participation in this thing we call life. It is the heart of man that produces culture and so it is the condition of the heart that determines how a society's culture will look. Thus, Believers - who have been thoroughly instructed concerning the cultivation of the new creation - are supposed to "do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" working " heartily, as for the Lord and not for men" (Col. 3:17, 23). Everything as unto the Lord. Not just chose a tie that matches with your shirt for Sunday worship, but everything. Not just volunteer to help out with VBS, but everything. I know that some folks think I sound like a broken record (or scratched CD), but I want to make this point as strongly as I possible can; everything we do, every part of life must be brought under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. This is going to affect our outlook and conduct in the realms of education, science, entertainment, medicine, politics, employment, dating and courtship, marriage and family life, film, literature, performing arts and so on. Christians must become involved in all legitimate aspects of life and then bring their sphere of influence under the lordship of Jesus Christ. Sometimes that means we should establish new institutions to replace the old; sometimes it means we labor to reform the existing structure. In any case we must be guided by our commitment to Christ and the teaching of the Bible. Therefore, the Church must stand for truth in every circumstance with "vocal resistance;" the individual Christian must do more. The believer is called upon to enter the fields of medicine, science, politics, public relations or whatever and then work as unto the Lord. The process begins with your heart and works outward from there. And it is set in motion the day that you determine that it is the Lord whom you shall serve. |
 |
