What is the role of the church of God? What are we told to do as Christians? Should Christians be in politics? Should we be so concerned with the world when we are to be heavenly minded?
These are the questions I am (hopefully) going to be answering over the next couple of posts. It is a deep subject….and a controversial one in the church today. So…let’s dive right in!
What is the Role of the Church?
These are difficult times for the church…but, honestly, when has there not been a time like that? We here in America have been blessed for centuries not to be persecuted for our beliefs in God and His Son Jesus Christ. We have had it easy. And that was the intent of the founding fathers, that those in this country should have the choice about worship without being arrested, fined, or even killed, as they were. But I believe we, as a whole, have taken it for granted. While we knew that it happens all over the world, and we would say how blessed we were to live here…we did not prepare for a time when it could be taken away. The time has now come, and instead of standing firm…we retreated.
I have to admit, I have been very saddened by the church’s response to the issues over the past seven months.
Instead of opening our arms to scared and aching hearts, we closed our doors. Instead of being a light in this dark world, we faded into the background so as not to be noticed by the media. Instead of being bold warriors of Christ and confronting evil, we stayed silent and told people to be quiet and conform to what we were told.
Though we speak from the pulpit and social media platforms about not being led by fear and to be different from the world, our actions these last seven months have shown the world the opposite, and have embodied fear.
Romans 12:2 says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Conform means “to comply with rules, standards or laws”.
Now…here is where it can get a bit tricky, so hang with me for a moment!
Yes, as Christians, we should most definitely respect and obey authorities that God has placed in our lives, and follow the law that is put up for our good (Romans 13:1-7)…but we are to also stand apart from the rest of the world. Sometimes that will look like us following the law and complying. Other times it will mean BREAKING the law. For example, look at the midwives in Egypt (Exodus 1), Esther, or Rahab…or even Christ.
Now, I want to clarify here and say that I am in no way advocating breaking the law…but I want to show you how we have been using these verses in scripture as a way to hide and not face the evil and the needs that are so blatant in our country today.
First off…to be breaking the law would require what you are going against to be an actual LAW. None of the things the government has declared of us these past months have been laws. To become a law would require it to go through legislation, which none of these have. So, by not following mask requirements or social distancing standards to the letter, you are in fact NOT breaking the law, but doing what our founding fathers designed this country to allow: making your own choices based on your information and your God given conscience.
Our country’s laws…come from the Constitution. That is the protection of the people…and the church FROM the government. The government has limitations…and we the people are the “boss” of the government. But today, so few Americans (even in the church) know how our government works. So few know the actual laws or what the Constitution says.
The United States of America is the greatest country on earth! A country like no other! It is a country blessed by God and a country that stands out from the rest of the world. We have the opportunity to be a light to the rest of the world and the American church has endless opportunities, under LAW, to spread the gospel…and not just to other countries. But in our own backyard. Today more than ever!
What we are facing in this country today is a great darkness and evil. And there is a role that only the church can fill. We are the ones equipped to fight evil. We have the Word of God, the Sword of the Spirit, with which we can fight of evil. Satan cannot take us. He has no power over the children of God. So what are we afraid of? Good is hard to find in this world, evil is not. So why are we not more willing to speak up and fight it?
NEVER should the forces of darkness speak louder than the forces of light! And that is what I am seeing today. Church, our right to worship God freely is being threatened! In just a short amount of time Satan has gotten us to fall in line. He got us to close our doors, limit contact with people, limit how we serve and where we go. And when we finally do reopen our doors, we are now limited on the number of people we can have, how they can interact and even how to worship. We have been fooled, and we have talked ourselves into believing that we should comply and it is for our good. So subtle that we won’t see the attack from the enemy.
Our founding fathers didn’t believe this was for our good. Have you taken a look our country’s constitution lately? Have you seen the first amendment? Think about this: our founding fathers thought this point so important that they made it FIRST on the list:
“Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…”
Take a look at what the Declaration of Independence has to say about government abusing power, “But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security.”
Did you catch that? “Congress shall make no LAW.” In other words…by the government telling you how to worship or even NOT to, THEY are breaking the law…and by law and duty we do NOT have to listen or conform. But instead, we are to confront.
We are not to let evil, or wrong actions slide by. Even Paul would not sit back and let the authorities off the hook when they broke the law (Acts 17:37), but he gave it to them straight.
Church, what do you do when you see something wrong? Ignore it? Walk away? Or confront it?
We are ambassadors of light. We are to confront the darkness. We are to be on the alert for the attack of the enemy…in EVERY direction. He knows his strategy well, and you can bet your bottom dollar that he will not play fair or always in the way you are expecting. Expect the unexpected…and the sneak attack.
Church, our voices should be the loudest ones out there, but instead we are the quietest. Our churches should be packed more than any grocery store or protest, instead we limit our occupancy and tell people how to act and what to wear. This does not mean that we throw all caution to the wind…but we need to use our common sense, swing open our doors and our arms, and let the people decide for themselves, based on their own consciences and comfort…and respect for one another.
Because the American Constitution protects our right to worship God freely and spread the gospel to all the people, the CHURCH should be its BIGGEST advocate. Instead…we have forgotten it and have opted for silence and to hang our heads in obedience because it is safer and easier.
Look around you! We are in a major spiritual battle. A battle for the church, the country, individuals…have you noticed where all the restrictions seem to be applied? The church. We can protest without restrictions, go to stores, bars, etc. and no one makes a fuss. But churches have the most restrictions…the one place there should be none.
Where are the Warriors of Light? There are a seemingly endless line of those trying to stamp out God and His church from our country, and the world, but where are those to oppose them? They are few and far between. Will you be one of them? Will you answer the call to battle? Will YOU be willing to take a stand for God, for the law of this country and the principles those who built this country DIED for?
So…what is the role of the church?
- Spread the gospel – Matthew 28:19-20, 2 Timothy 4:2
- Have fellowship, encourage and build up one another – Acts 2:46-47, Hebrews 10:24-25
- Train and equip against evil – Romans 12:9, 12:21, 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, Ephesians 6:10-18,
- Watch and pray – Matthew 16:27, Matthew 25:1-13, Mark 13:9-23, Mark 14: 38, 1 Corinthians 16:13, Revelation 22:12, 22:17, 22:20
What is your line in the sand? When will you snap? When will you speak out? If not now, then when? If not you, then who?
Watch and pray…every day. Then RISE UP, get involved and do something about it all. Be an ambassador of light in a world where darkness is screaming.
Can you be a Christian and a Patriot? What better combination!!
Be on the lookout for Part 2 of this post, where I will talk about the question “Should Christians be in politics?”
Preserving Foundations 
Leave a comment