It is not
our task to offer world systems that will replace the fallen and flawed system
of the City of Man. Instead we offer Christ and recognize that only the
eradication of sin will lead to the problems of the world being solved.
This
solution comes in the form of judgment fire. We're here to proclaim and offer a
choice: life or death.
We criticize
their political and economic systems, their nationalist aspirations, and their
propaganda machines but it is not our intention to construct alternatives.
So then what
would happen if society (as a whole) started to listen?
That
question will always remain merely hypothetical. The only way it can become
viable is if the Gospel-Kingdom message is compromised and framed in a way that
is socially acceptable.
It is
important to understand the New Testament has no expectation of this. Ours is
the way of the wilderness and it will always be the path of fools to the wisdom
of the world and its rulers. We have no basis for expecting more than a small
number of converts. Our situation is analogous to the days of Noah, a period in
which very few were faithful to the covenant.
When the
Lord comes will he find faith on the earth (Luke 18.8)? Though some have tried
to twist this rhetorical question the expected answer is patently 'no'.
The elect
praying in desperation are hardly a ruling majority or a force wielding power.
We are
called to cry out even though it will often seem that no one hears. We are not
called to take the reins of power and coerce the lost.
Revelation
indicates that throughout the course of Church history the Church will be all
but eradicated. At least it will seem so.
The modern
Church employs a hard political message for the world, but within the walls of
the church (as it were) the message is soft and inviting. They never want to
offend anyone and are eager to the fill the pews. Desperate for numbers and
often the money that comes with them, they seek in every way to accommodate the
lost and effectively they end up compromising the message. Even conservative
and confessional churches fall prey to this.
We need to
denounce the world and expose their deeds, but in another sense we need to
exhibit Christ's love to a lost world, and demonstrate our care for the lost.
We need to be empathetic to the lost masses of the world. We cannot save people
if we're constantly railing against them and trying to fight them for power.
We need to
criticize the world to show people the source and fruits of sin and its
consequences, but our hard criticism is for eyes that can see it, ears that can
hear it, and hearts that can understand. We need the 'hard' systemic criticism
within the Church.
Why? To
maintain the antithesis. Without that, we will have no Church to speak of. The
world will invade and take over.
And that's
precisely what has happened.
The modern
Church preaches a weak and watered down gospel to its people and won't directly
preach on the issues of the day unless they somehow fit in with a political
agenda. That's not a proclaimed message. That's manipulation.
The truth is
often more complicated and what people need are the tools to work through the
principles and implications. They need to learn how to think through issues and
the tough ethical tangles that surround us. Life is complicated and their
'clerics' won't be able to manage all their issues and give them the answers. Instead
of tools and guidance they get programmes, politics and therapy and maybe some
financial advice... world affirming at
that.
They need to
be taught what it means to live as a Christian and how the world deceives us.
Middle class people aren't going to like the message and if they leave in the
face of Biblical preaching... then let them go.
Biblical
preaching elicits a response. People will either be provoked and challenged and
it will bear fruit... or they will be offended and leave (Isa 55.11).
Our modern
echo chambers which affirm the values of culture and unify the Church through political
engagement have created a pseudo-unity, a false form, a false church.
The Church
has no hope for reform unless it begins to focus on the message preached and
the teaching of the Bible to the congregation... a teaching that doesn't mince
words. People need to be challenged with doctrine and they need to be taught
that doctrines of the Kingdom challenge the claims of the world and its
systems. It is no child's play to follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth (Rev
14.4).
Many claim
to be doing this but are largely affirming the world, or at the very least a
system within the world. They'll point to the bad, but the fact that they point
to other man-made constructs and say this is the way... they're in the same
boat, in the same condition. They're on the same worldly road. The answer isn't
to affirm another worldly system but to embrace the wilderness way, to live as
strangers and pilgrims.
Yes, people
will leave and in droves. But filling the Church with Laodiceans neither
pleases nor honours the Lord.
The lost
don't need a political gospel and the threat of a legislative body coming into
power that will force them to obey. They need the gospel that teaches them to
lay up treasures in heaven and to deny the self, the gospel that teaches them
that we are new creatures and belong to a new realm.
The modern
Church under the influence of Dominionism has inverted its mission and has
convinced the masses to build the wrong kingdom.
Do you want
to be an activist? Be an ecclesiastical activist. Work to change the Church and
challenge the apostasy and the false teachers who promote heresy and call it
godly Kingdom living.
But a
warning, they will put you out, rail against you, try to destroy and think they
do God service.
