On a rainy Monday morning so many thoughts for the week ahead run through my mind. Monday is supposed to be my "day off," but even after celebrating my 73rd birthday on Saturday, I can't seem to convince my brain to take some time off from the Lord's work. Instead, on this anniversary of the tragic events of 9/11/2001, I find myself looking at our nation and the world and grieving over the lack of leadership from our President and others in government. But that's not the worst of it. I am appalled at the level of compromise from some Christian leaders and others in the Christian community when it comes to taking a stand for the truth of the Gospel and the application of Biblical truth to our culture. At every turn, it seems, churches and leaders compromise the truth and give in to the voices around us that demand inclusion, tolerance and the all-encompassing "love" that approves of what God says is evil.
Isaiah wrote, "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter" (Isaiah 5:20). It is said that for the Republican Party to win elections, we must compromise, especially on abortion, LGBTQ "rights" and many other social issues in order to get more votes. What does God say? Listen to this verse from the book of Proverbs, chapter 25, verse 26: "Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked." What a clear picture of what God thinks of those who compromise in the face of opposition. Visualize a muddied spring or a fountain that spews brown-colored, foul-smelling water. So is a righteous man who backs down, who refuses to speak, who gives way to the voices that demand compliance.
The "abortion issue," according to some, will cost Republicans votes, and possibly elections, if we do not compromise. And there are other issues ... so many of them. What many in the Christian community fail to understand when they say, "We must focus on preaching the Gospel and leave politics to the politicians," ... what they fail to understand is that Jesus Christ is Lord OVER politics and HE speaks to every issue in the political realm today. While we proclaim our hope in Christ alone, we who are His disciples are called to be salt and light in the world by declaring that HE is KING!! HIS "position" on abortion must be ours, and we must proclaim it and stand upon it.
"Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked." If pastors and other Christians refuse to speak the unfiltered truth of God's Word, compromising in order to avoid offending someone ... anyone ... we are like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain ... whether speaking about abortion or LGBTQ rights or transgender issues, or other things like alcoholism, gambling, and pointing out the idols in people's lives that distract them from the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Too often leaders "tiptoe" around the truth, rather than declaring, "Thus says the Lord!" Loving people demands exposing the darkness. Otherwise we will be found muddying the waters, calling evil good and good evil. Such a "position" is actually the refusal to take a position.
We must be like Elijah on Mt. Carmel, when he said to the people, "How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him, but if Baal, then follow him" (I Kings 18:21). It's time to stand up for Jesus Christ, for the truth of His Word in every matter. To do less is to be like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain!! I don't want to be either. How about you??
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