Comments on: Our Primary Concern http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/01/11/our-primary-concern/ A Ministry of Shepherds' Fellowship Sun, 01 Mar 2009 19:54:00 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Rod Williams http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/01/11/our-primary-concern/comment-page-1/#comment-106765 Rod Williams Sun, 10 Feb 2008 20:05:35 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/01/11/our-primary-concern/#comment-106765 Although I fully understand and appreciate the rationale behind these arguments, allow me to present a more balanced approach. After reading these, I'm at a total loss to understand why each of them presumes a precise, distinctive line must always exist between evangelism and political activism. Are there no evangelists who engage in politics? Are there no politicians who attempt to witness to their neighbors? God's gifts are as diverse as are the opportunities He affords us to use them. Why would exercising one’s gifts to promote or fuel a national Christian revival through the election of Christian leaders be deemed as social moralizing? Do we simply surrender every time a far left activist wants to further corrupt our children, or further thwart our freedom to worship and engage in such evangelism? If there were no Christians in politics, the entire Church would soon be forced underground. What if a ballot initiative were secured in which the issue was the reintroduction of prayer into schools? If I can witness to 3 people in one hour, but in that same hour I may cast the deciding vote to bring prayer back into public schools that would enable thousands (millions…?) of kids to pray to almighty God in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, what am I to do? Should we become involved in local school politics wherein the issue may be, say, teaching (promoting) contraception rather than abstinence, or do we refuse to vote because such would diminish our time spent evangelizing? MacArthur states: "When the church takes a stance that emphasizes political activism and social moralizing, it always diverts energy and resources away from evangelization. Such an antagonistic position…leads believers to feel hostile…also antagonistic toward…neighbors and fellow citizens…they ought to…share the gospel with." Is the promotion of teaching abstinence in our schools an “antagonistic position”? Are we to turn a blind eye to the corruption of our own children? What is my unsaved neighbor, who happens to believe as I do on the above school matters, saying about my Christian faith after witnessing my refusal to become involved because I’m not a “political activist”? Is this pious attitude also an evangelical one? By taking this position, have I successfully “evangelized” my neighbor? I say quite the opposite! Again, where is the line to be drawn, and why should it always be the same for everyone? I submit that each Christian is to exercise to the fullest, in conjunction with and through much prayer effort, the gifts with which God has blessed them, all for the growth and strengthening of the Christian Church Body and thus the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Although I fully understand and appreciate the rationale behind these arguments, allow me to present a more balanced approach. After reading these, I’m at a total loss to understand why each of them presumes a precise, distinctive line must always exist between evangelism and political activism. Are there no evangelists who engage in politics? Are there no politicians who attempt to witness to their neighbors? God’s gifts are as diverse as are the opportunities He affords us to use them.
Why would exercising one’s gifts to promote or fuel a national Christian revival through the election of Christian leaders be deemed as social moralizing? Do we simply surrender every time a far left activist wants to further corrupt our children, or further thwart our freedom to worship and engage in such evangelism? If there were no Christians in politics, the entire Church would soon be forced underground.
What if a ballot initiative were secured in which the issue was the reintroduction of prayer into schools? If I can witness to 3 people in one hour, but in that same hour I may cast the deciding vote to bring prayer back into public schools that would enable thousands (millions…?) of kids to pray to almighty God in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, what am I to do? Should we become involved in local school politics wherein the issue may be, say, teaching (promoting) contraception rather than abstinence, or do we refuse to vote because such would diminish our time spent evangelizing? MacArthur states: “When the church takes a stance that emphasizes political activism and social moralizing, it always diverts energy and resources away from evangelization. Such an antagonistic position…leads believers to feel hostile…also antagonistic toward…neighbors and fellow citizens…they ought to…share the gospel with.” Is the promotion of teaching abstinence in our schools an “antagonistic position”? Are we to turn a blind eye to the corruption of our own children? What is my unsaved neighbor, who happens to believe as I do on the above school matters, saying about my Christian faith after witnessing my refusal to become involved because I’m not a “political activist”? Is this pious attitude also an evangelical one? By taking this position, have I successfully “evangelized” my neighbor? I say quite the opposite! Again, where is the line to be drawn, and why should it always be the same for everyone? I submit that each Christian is to exercise to the fullest, in conjunction with and through much prayer effort, the gifts with which God has blessed them, all for the growth and strengthening of the Christian Church Body and thus the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

]]> By: Russell Moore http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/01/11/our-primary-concern/comment-page-1/#comment-103639 Russell Moore Wed, 30 Jan 2008 11:50:24 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/01/11/our-primary-concern/#comment-103639 Patte, I appreciate your views as I'm sure John does as well. However I think you are missing the point of the post. John did not say that it doesn't matter at all that a non-believer agrees with or does not agree with abortion. In the context that abortion specifically is wrong and that believer and non-believer both should be encouraged away from such a horrible act, I believe John would completely agree. But I believe the point of the message was that opposing political viewpoints, pro-abortion vs. anti-abortion, prostitute (ie lawlessness) vs. police officer (ie the rule of law), conservative vs. liberal, all represent worldly considerations that we as Christians must lay aside when considering the ultimate calling we are trusted with. That of taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth. It is a tragedy that the children murdered by abortion are killed before ever having the chance to live. Its also a tragedy that sin blinds those who perform and have abortions to believe that such an act is morally acceptable. But we must understand that God is the one in control, that unsaved sinners cannot control their depravity and thus do commit evil (rape, murder, etc) and that they desire to do so as a result of their sin nature. Social activism does nothing to change the sin nature in someones heart that leads them to social evil. Only conversion by the saving power of God through the Holy Spirit can produce such fundamental change and thus effect society to more closely reflect God's will. We are all destined for an eternal life. The question that we as Christians must address is ultimately not what happens in this world that we can change via our money, time, or activism but what are we called to do while on this side of heaven as believers? We are to share the gospel of Christ to an unsaved world. Period. For the church to concentrate on anything other than helping to bring about the true conversions of people's hearts for Christ is a waste of our God ordained mandate. This is what I believe John was trying to say. If you know John's ministry or heart at all, you know he does believe that Christians can strongly influence the world, but that this is a consequence of living a strong Christ honoring, God glorifying life. Social activism against the tide of a world ruled by Satan is not our primary goal. Freeing people from that world to a knowledge of God is. Patte,

I appreciate your views as I’m sure John does as well. However I think you are missing the point of the post.
John did not say that it doesn’t matter at all that a non-believer agrees with or does not agree with abortion. In the context that abortion specifically is wrong and that believer and non-believer both should be encouraged away from such a horrible act, I believe John would completely agree. But I believe the point of the message was that opposing political viewpoints, pro-abortion vs. anti-abortion, prostitute (ie lawlessness) vs. police officer (ie the rule of law), conservative vs. liberal, all represent worldly considerations that we as Christians must lay aside when considering the ultimate calling we are trusted with. That of taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
It is a tragedy that the children murdered by abortion are killed before ever having the chance to live. Its also a tragedy that sin blinds those who perform and have abortions to believe that such an act is morally acceptable. But we must understand that God is the one in control, that unsaved sinners cannot control their depravity and thus do commit evil (rape, murder, etc) and that they desire to do so as a result of their sin nature.
Social activism does nothing to change the sin nature in someones heart that leads them to social evil. Only conversion by the saving power of God through the Holy Spirit can produce such fundamental change and thus effect society to more closely reflect God’s will.
We are all destined for an eternal life. The question that we as Christians must address is ultimately not what happens in this world that we can change via our money, time, or activism but what are we called to do while on this side of heaven as believers? We are to share the gospel of Christ to an unsaved world. Period.
For the church to concentrate on anything other than helping to bring about the true conversions of people’s hearts for Christ is a waste of our God ordained mandate.
This is what I believe John was trying to say.
If you know John’s ministry or heart at all, you know he does believe that Christians can strongly influence the world, but that this is a consequence of living a strong Christ honoring, God glorifying life.
Social activism against the tide of a world ruled by Satan is not our primary goal. Freeing people from that world to a knowledge of God is.

]]> By: Patte http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/01/11/our-primary-concern/comment-page-1/#comment-100597 Patte Tue, 22 Jan 2008 01:04:41 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/01/11/our-primary-concern/#comment-100597 Yes, Dale. I have given this a great deal of thought &, as you know, have put the commandments of God into practice. Commands like; Proverbs 24:10-12 If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength! Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not He who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not He who guards your life know it? Will He not repay each person according to what he has done? Psalm 82:3 Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Ephesians 5:11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. I cannot help but wonder if John MacArthur advocates that the people in his church & at the Master's college stay in the boat & wait for the fish to jump in? Addressing a social evil such as abortion allows for Christians to reach more than a million lost mothers & babies with a biblical gospel. Does he think these mothers & fathers & abortionists are going to stop by Grace Community church to hear him preach any time soon? Is it likely that abortionists are going to attend the Master's college? I am enamored with the Savior who went OUT to fish for men & showed His disciples how to do it by inviting them to come along with Him as He engaged His lost neighbors right where they were. This past Saturday morning we engaged over 60 people waiting in line at the abortuary with the gospel of life & eternity. We also loved them like the Good Samaritan & stooped down where they lay to offer them help through their pregnancies. Jason's & Jessica's baby is alive today. Jason thanked me this morning & said; "I thank God that He sent you to us. We know that this baby is a blessing." Now we have many months & years to share the gospel & disciple this couple & welcome their dear infant. If they NEVER come to be regenerated, their little darling boy or girl will have benefitted from our 'social activism' which we bring the gospel into every time we go out to the field of souls at the abortuary. Just think, too, of all of the babies who can be born from the one that was delivered from death? One of my friends is an anointed evangelist. His mother was approached outside the clinic where she had gone to kill him ... & now Chris ever liveth to bring Christ praise & do good to his neighbor. Being involved with real-life causes like justice for the orphans IS obeying God's commands & the mandate ofthe great commission. It saddens me very much that such a well-respected man like MacArthur belittles what the Lord has commanded ~ I hope he comes to realize how this kind of teaching causes many in the church to do the exact opposite of what Jesus modeled for us. His article will keep many men & women sitting in the pews & feeling very spiritual about it. Yes, Dale. I have given this a great deal of thought &, as you know, have put the commandments of God into practice. Commands like;
Proverbs 24:10-12
If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength! Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not He who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not He who guards your life know it? Will He not repay each person according to what he has done?

Psalm 82:3
Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.

Ephesians 5:11
Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

James 1:27
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

I cannot help but wonder if John MacArthur advocates that the people in his church & at the Master’s college stay in the boat & wait for the fish to jump in? Addressing a social evil such as abortion allows for Christians to reach more than a million lost mothers & babies with a biblical gospel. Does he think these mothers & fathers & abortionists are going to stop by Grace Community church to hear him preach any time soon? Is it likely that abortionists are going to attend the Master’s college?

I am enamored with the Savior who went OUT to fish for men & showed His disciples how to do it by inviting them to come along with Him as He engaged His lost neighbors right where they were.

This past Saturday morning we engaged over 60 people waiting in line at the abortuary with the gospel of life & eternity. We also loved them like the Good Samaritan & stooped down where they lay to offer them help through their pregnancies. Jason’s & Jessica’s baby is alive today. Jason thanked me this morning & said; “I thank God that He sent you to us. We know that this baby is a blessing.” Now we have many months & years to share the gospel & disciple this couple & welcome their dear infant. If they NEVER come to be regenerated, their little darling boy or girl will have benefitted from our ’social activism’ which we bring the gospel into every time we go out to the field of souls at the abortuary. Just think, too, of all of the babies who can be born from the one that was delivered from death? One of my friends is an anointed evangelist. His mother was approached outside the clinic where she had gone to kill him … & now Chris ever liveth to bring Christ praise & do good to his neighbor. Being involved with real-life causes like justice for the orphans IS obeying God’s commands & the mandate ofthe great commission. It saddens me very much that such a well-respected man like MacArthur belittles what the Lord has commanded ~ I hope he comes to realize how this kind of teaching causes many in the church to do the exact opposite of what Jesus modeled for us. His article will keep many men & women sitting in the pews & feeling very spiritual about it.

]]> By: Dale http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/01/11/our-primary-concern/comment-page-1/#comment-100435 Dale Mon, 21 Jan 2008 20:37:12 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/01/11/our-primary-concern/#comment-100435 Amen, Patte. I interpret MacArthur's point to be that one's position on abortion has no bearing on his or her salvation if the person has not repented and trusted Christ. He calls for loving, praying for and sharing the gospel with people, without antagonizing them. However, loving them means telling them when necessary -- as when they're lined up outside an abortion clinic waiting for someone to kill their child -- that they are breaking God's laws, that they will face God's wrath and that they should turn from their sin, particularly including the sin of murdering their child. More often than not, this message antagonizes them. And they rationalize, justify, defend, curse and kill the child anyway. So if this is antagonism, so be it. Children's lives are at stake. Amen, Patte. I interpret MacArthur’s point to be that one’s position on abortion has no bearing on his or her salvation if the person has not repented and trusted Christ. He calls for loving, praying for and sharing the gospel with people, without antagonizing them. However, loving them means telling them when necessary — as when they’re lined up outside an abortion clinic waiting for someone to kill their child — that they are breaking God’s laws, that they will face God’s wrath and that they should turn from their sin, particularly including the sin of murdering their child. More often than not, this message antagonizes them. And they rationalize, justify, defend, curse and kill the child anyway. So if this is antagonism, so be it. Children’s lives are at stake.

]]> By: Patte http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/01/11/our-primary-concern/comment-page-1/#comment-99998 Patte Mon, 21 Jan 2008 05:59:53 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/01/11/our-primary-concern/#comment-99998 I don't agree with the following part of MacArthur's post:"It makes no difference if an unsaved person is for or against abortion ... he will spend eternity apart from God unless he repents and believes the gospel. When the church takes a stance that emphasizes political activism and social moralizing, it always diverts energy and resources away from evangelization." This is a dangerous way to teach those who are part of the body of christ upon the earth. It most certainly DOES make a difference is an unsave person is for or against abortion. Who does it make a difference to? To her babies, to her neighbor's babies, to her co-worker's babies, that's who. Would you also say; "It makes no difference if a person is a loving father or a rapes his own daughter? It certainly DOES make a difference TO THAT CHILD! Listen, we cannot control WHO becomes a genuine believer because, 'salvation is of the Lord', but we can teach & preach that man's duty is to OBEY God's commandments ... EVEN IF THEY NEVER ARE SAVINGLY WROUGHT UPON BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, the duty of man is to OBEY God. A person CAN control whether they rape a child. A person CAN control whether they murder a baby. Secondly, I think MacArthur is under-estimating the power of proclaiming the gospel in the midst of & in the context of loving our neighbor who is the victim of a social evil. After all, would MacArthur say that Jesus' example of loving our neighbor like the Good Samaritan (which is glaringly devoid of 'spiritual words & religiousity, in fact, Jesus makes it obvious that the 'religious men' wouldn't stoop in the dirt to love his neighbor, probably having more 'spiritual' things to attend to) didn't make a DIFFERENCE for that neighbor? In fact, correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think that I have ever heard MacArthur give specific directions or lead others on how to love our neighbor like Jesus did. Our Savior was the whole package of loving perfection & truth. He gathered the children unto Himself & made sure that everyone knew that 'of such is the kingdom of heaven'. But they are just little monsters of inquity, right? Well, our Savior was ever discerning that what men dismiss as unnecessary can, in fact, be the very good works that He requires. We had all better be careful. It is easy to spiritualize life & fail to love our perishing neighbors (like the 50 million babies, many who were carried by church-goers who profess to belong to Jesus Christ) as ourselves. I am ALL for keeping the gospel the center of everything we do. It is the most important message of all. But, if we are to teach people all that Jesus commanded, then we MUST teach them to obey God's Law & warn them to repent of sin. It is exactly sins like murder that we ARE to be faithful to address in order that lost mothers & fathers are afforded the opportunity to turn from their sin as God requires. I don’t agree with the following part of MacArthur’s post:”It makes no difference if an unsaved person is for or against abortion … he will spend eternity apart from God unless he repents and believes the gospel.

When the church takes a stance that emphasizes political activism and social moralizing, it always diverts energy and resources away from evangelization.”

This is a dangerous way to teach those who are part of the body of christ upon the earth. It most certainly DOES make a difference is an unsave person is for or against abortion. Who does it make a difference to? To her babies, to her neighbor’s babies, to her co-worker’s babies, that’s who. Would you also say; “It makes no difference if a person is a loving father or a rapes his own daughter? It certainly DOES make a difference TO THAT CHILD! Listen, we cannot control WHO becomes a genuine believer because, ’salvation is of the Lord’, but we can teach & preach that man’s duty is to OBEY God’s commandments … EVEN IF THEY NEVER ARE SAVINGLY WROUGHT UPON BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, the duty of man is to OBEY God. A person CAN control whether they rape a child. A person CAN control whether they murder a baby.

Secondly, I think MacArthur is under-estimating the power of proclaiming the gospel in the midst of & in the context of loving our neighbor who is the victim of a social evil. After all, would MacArthur say that Jesus’ example of loving our neighbor like the Good Samaritan (which is glaringly devoid of ’spiritual words & religiousity, in fact, Jesus makes it obvious that the ‘religious men’ wouldn’t stoop in the dirt to love his neighbor, probably having more ’spiritual’ things to attend to) didn’t make a DIFFERENCE for that neighbor?

In fact, correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think that I have ever heard MacArthur give specific directions or lead others on how to love our neighbor like Jesus did. Our Savior was the whole package of loving perfection & truth. He gathered the children unto Himself & made sure that everyone knew that ‘of such is the kingdom of heaven’. But they are just little monsters of inquity, right? Well, our Savior was ever discerning that what men dismiss as unnecessary can, in fact, be the very good works that He requires.

We had all better be careful. It is easy to spiritualize life & fail to love our perishing neighbors (like the 50 million babies, many who were carried by church-goers who profess to belong to Jesus Christ) as ourselves. I am ALL for keeping the gospel the center of everything we do. It is the most important message of all. But, if we are to teach people all that Jesus commanded, then we MUST teach them to obey God’s Law & warn them to repent of sin. It is exactly sins like murder that we ARE to be faithful to address in order that lost mothers & fathers are afforded the opportunity to turn from their sin as God requires.

]]> By: Wellington Ndlovu http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/01/11/our-primary-concern/comment-page-1/#comment-99268 Wellington Ndlovu Sat, 19 Jan 2008 00:23:30 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/01/11/our-primary-concern/#comment-99268 Let God be the Judge , however i am certain he is no respector of persons and my comment given in earnest to the one and only unbendable truth was and is as my former post refused publication. Well truely i am a staunch predestinarian and as such leave it all for it shall be examined on the final hour. Scripture is clear true followers of Christ rest from their labours knowing that they are eternally loved by God. our faith makes us soldiers of Christ and not of men. We believe all provisions have been decreed to be as according to gods word. Thus to be involved in civic activities promoting division in unscriptural based opinion is a far cry from the word of God. We are called not to be taken from the world but to be apart from it. The Love of God embraces truth not delete it from feeding the sheep. I pray for Gods names sake he gives me strength to remauin bold in adversity and in muddy waters Amen Let God be the Judge , however i am certain he is no respector of persons and my comment given in earnest to the one and only unbendable truth was and is as my former post refused publication. Well truely i am a staunch predestinarian and as such leave it all for it shall be examined on the final hour. Scripture is clear true followers of Christ rest from their labours knowing that they are eternally loved by God. our faith makes us soldiers of Christ and not of men. We believe all provisions have been decreed to be as according to gods word. Thus to be involved in civic activities promoting division in unscriptural based opinion is a far cry from the word of God. We are called not to be taken from the world but to be apart from it. The Love of God embraces truth not delete it from feeding the sheep. I pray for Gods names sake he gives me strength to remauin bold in adversity and in muddy waters Amen

]]> By: Jacob Lichner http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/01/11/our-primary-concern/comment-page-1/#comment-98603 Jacob Lichner Thu, 17 Jan 2008 20:54:47 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/01/11/our-primary-concern/#comment-98603 @Ben... If I am understanding you correctly, you are essentially saying that our freedom to evangelize is dependant on the state of the government. If it is God who says it is okay to evangelize, then who is going to say it isn't? Also, consider the birth of the church under Roman suppression in contrast to the church here in America where we are "free". The former flourished while the latter has lost its footing... @Ben… If I am understanding you correctly, you are essentially saying that our freedom to evangelize is dependant on the state of the government. If it is God who says it is okay to evangelize, then who is going to say it isn’t? Also, consider the birth of the church under Roman suppression in contrast to the church here in America where we are “free”. The former flourished while the latter has lost its footing…

]]> By: Brad Boynton http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/01/11/our-primary-concern/comment-page-1/#comment-97830 Brad Boynton Tue, 15 Jan 2008 05:59:12 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/01/11/our-primary-concern/#comment-97830 I here and see Christians get so involved in politics. They love to talk about it, read about it, even debate about it. But I wonder why can't we be just as passionate about our Lord. I wonder why can't He be the One we are talking about? Why can't He be the One we tell everyone about? We have been fooled into thinking that if we care about the well being of our country that makes us caring Christians, but if we really cared we would be concerned about telling others how to be saved through faith in Jesus Christ. I here and see Christians get so involved in politics. They love to talk about it, read about it, even debate about it. But I wonder why can’t we be just as passionate about our Lord. I wonder why can’t He be the One we are talking about? Why can’t He be the One we tell everyone about? We have been fooled into thinking that if we care about the well being of our country that makes us caring Christians, but if we really cared we would be concerned about telling others how to be saved through faith in Jesus Christ.

]]> By: Walter Heaton http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/01/11/our-primary-concern/comment-page-1/#comment-97678 Walter Heaton Mon, 14 Jan 2008 10:11:00 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/01/11/our-primary-concern/#comment-97678 Ben, as you have recognized, John's point is a valid one: our PRIMARY concern is an extension of the kingdom of God via proper evangelism. Sean's points from Capitol Ministries are also powerful reminders from the experiential side of the equation — gobs of money and countless hours in political activism do not help us to achieve our PRIMARY goals. Prayer, spirit-anointed unabashed preaching of the rightly-cut Word, and our involvement in other means of evangelism are the "foolish things" that God has sovereignly chosen to save souls — and so, households, communities, states, and countries. I don't think its proper to assume that John remains apathetic to political issues and the political process just because he has chosen to focus on our PRIMARY concerns. (The post itself gives sufficient evidence of this.) Though I haven't asked him directly, I'm pretty sure he votes — which is undoubtedly one of his SECONDARY or TERTIARY concerns. In short, 'Don't let Satan blow it out,' Ben. "Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine!" Just make sure that you're letting it shine for all the right reasons. Keep your priorities straight, and work to be winsome — even in the red states. As I'm sure that you do. Keep on keeping on! Walter Heaton Ben, as you have recognized, John’s point is a valid one: our PRIMARY concern is an extension of the kingdom of God via proper evangelism. Sean’s points from Capitol Ministries are also powerful reminders from the experiential side of the equation — gobs of money and countless hours in political activism do not help us to achieve our PRIMARY goals. Prayer, spirit-anointed unabashed preaching of the rightly-cut Word, and our involvement in other means of evangelism are the “foolish things” that God has sovereignly chosen to save souls — and so, households, communities, states, and countries.

I don’t think its proper to assume that John remains apathetic to political issues and the political process just because he has chosen to focus on our PRIMARY concerns. (The post itself gives sufficient evidence of this.) Though I haven’t asked him directly, I’m pretty sure he votes — which is undoubtedly one of his SECONDARY or TERTIARY concerns.

In short, ‘Don’t let Satan blow it out,’ Ben. “Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine!” Just make sure that you’re letting it shine for all the right reasons. Keep your priorities straight, and work to be winsome — even in the red states. As I’m sure that you do.

Keep on keeping on!

Walter Heaton

]]> By: Chris http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/01/11/our-primary-concern/comment-page-1/#comment-97641 Chris Mon, 14 Jan 2008 06:48:06 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/01/11/our-primary-concern/#comment-97641 Keep emphasizing these points! We (Bible believing Christians) are too often cheerleaders for one particular party or politician. We must instead align ourselves with Christ alone, fighting for His cause, by His means. Evangelical activists say that means we are "ignoring" the culture and political system. Ridiculous! Believers who hold the "make disciples first" position vote too. I might add that we often vote in the same ways. The difference? We do not believe that vote (or politician) can by its (or their) merit bring about Godly, social change. Only the redeeming work of Christ can change a culture; but it must happen one person at a time. Keep emphasizing these points! We (Bible believing Christians) are too often cheerleaders for one particular party or politician. We must instead align ourselves with Christ alone, fighting for His cause, by His means. Evangelical activists say that means we are “ignoring” the culture and political system. Ridiculous! Believers who hold the “make disciples first” position vote too. I might add that we often vote in the same ways. The difference? We do not believe that vote (or politician) can by its (or their) merit bring about Godly, social change. Only the redeeming work of Christ can change a culture; but it must happen one person at a time.

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