I agree with everything in this article! I am afraid, however, that many will read this and think that participation in our political civil activities is unworthy when three truth is the opposite!
We're must always guard our hearts, for they are idol factories, from worshipping the state or any leader. But we must also remember that until an angel runs for election out choices will always fall short of anything truly good.
Christians must take seriously their civic responsibility of engagement or Satan will gladly stop in!
Excellent and well written and accurate observations. It is interesting to notice that conservatives Christians can fall prey to a false gospel. The progressives promote a “social gospel, the conservatives a “ cultural gospel”. But the “seed of the kingdom is the word of God!” Luke 8:11. The gospel is broken down for us in 1 Corinthians 15:1-8. Any “gospel” that denies the resurrection and the deity of Christ is not the true gospel that produces the power to save us so that we can turn from sin and live by Christian principles. Without this power there can be no such thing as a “cultural Christian”. Without the gospel there can be no Christianity of any type! Christ is risen, he is risen indeed!
Let's not allow the perfect to become the enemy of the good. Of course we orthodox Christians pray that all men would repent and come to the knowledge of the Truth which is Christ. Nevertheless, we should rejoice and be thankful whenever men and women of good will act in accordance with the law written upon their hearts and do the right thing. By doing so they take one step closer to the Kingdom of God even though they may never reach that destination.
As Mr. Preuss has sagely noted, this cultural Christianity is another clever ruse of Satan, the great deceiver. I am extremely excited to have people of morals and integrity leading our country these days, but they are not missionaries or evangelists. Many, if not most, I wouldn't know, are not true followers of Jesus, so we have to keep our focus on the Bible in regard to our faith in living out our Christian lives and always be ready to give an answer for our faith.
I have been a believer for 5 decades. It was a radical change in me. The differences between culture, politics and Christianity are vast but at times enmeshed--Satan's ruse. As I was reading scripture this morning, I prayed that I would be preserved from mere morality and apparent Judaeo/Christian values which simply shape a person's ideas to make him a "good" citizen of this world. As you stated, "we are patriots of another land whose builder and maker is Gos."
I have often asked the Lord to help me focus on His glory but alas how often I've fallen short. "We all have sinned and <deprived ourselves> of the glory of God". (This self deprivation void in your life is what the world wants to fulfill, thus every advertisement you see on TV, billboards, etc.). We are the rebellious ones of our own choosing. The deception of Satan however, is masterfully colored.
Jim, in this article you have pegged the Western Evangelical culture. I look forward to the sequel.
I agree with everything in this article! I am afraid, however, that many will read this and think that participation in our political civil activities is unworthy when three truth is the opposite!
We're must always guard our hearts, for they are idol factories, from worshipping the state or any leader. But we must also remember that until an angel runs for election out choices will always fall short of anything truly good.
Christians must take seriously their civic responsibility of engagement or Satan will gladly stop in!
Excellent and well written and accurate observations. It is interesting to notice that conservatives Christians can fall prey to a false gospel. The progressives promote a “social gospel, the conservatives a “ cultural gospel”. But the “seed of the kingdom is the word of God!” Luke 8:11. The gospel is broken down for us in 1 Corinthians 15:1-8. Any “gospel” that denies the resurrection and the deity of Christ is not the true gospel that produces the power to save us so that we can turn from sin and live by Christian principles. Without this power there can be no such thing as a “cultural Christian”. Without the gospel there can be no Christianity of any type! Christ is risen, he is risen indeed!
Amen
He is risen indeed🙌
Let's not allow the perfect to become the enemy of the good. Of course we orthodox Christians pray that all men would repent and come to the knowledge of the Truth which is Christ. Nevertheless, we should rejoice and be thankful whenever men and women of good will act in accordance with the law written upon their hearts and do the right thing. By doing so they take one step closer to the Kingdom of God even though they may never reach that destination.
Amen!
Another great article Jim – thank you for sharing.
I agree!!
As Mr. Preuss has sagely noted, this cultural Christianity is another clever ruse of Satan, the great deceiver. I am extremely excited to have people of morals and integrity leading our country these days, but they are not missionaries or evangelists. Many, if not most, I wouldn't know, are not true followers of Jesus, so we have to keep our focus on the Bible in regard to our faith in living out our Christian lives and always be ready to give an answer for our faith.
I have been a believer for 5 decades. It was a radical change in me. The differences between culture, politics and Christianity are vast but at times enmeshed--Satan's ruse. As I was reading scripture this morning, I prayed that I would be preserved from mere morality and apparent Judaeo/Christian values which simply shape a person's ideas to make him a "good" citizen of this world. As you stated, "we are patriots of another land whose builder and maker is Gos."
I have often asked the Lord to help me focus on His glory but alas how often I've fallen short. "We all have sinned and <deprived ourselves> of the glory of God". (This self deprivation void in your life is what the world wants to fulfill, thus every advertisement you see on TV, billboards, etc.). We are the rebellious ones of our own choosing. The deception of Satan however, is masterfully colored.
Jim, in this article you have pegged the Western Evangelical culture. I look forward to the sequel.
Kurt, thank you for your kind words... but I must give credit to Jameson Steward for writing the piece... I merely edited it.