The church must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state. It must be the guide and the critic of the state, and never its tool. If the church does not recapture its prophetic zeal, it will become an irrelevant social club without moral or spiritual authority.
Martin Luther King, Jr
Has the church lived up to this calling?
Have we Christians been informed in political issues so as to be that voice for the government? Or have we just reacted?
Are we not only uninformed about the issues, but also uninformed about the scriptural basis for our views?
Do we seem uninformed, ignorant, intolerant and hateful to an unbelieving world - or do we live up to the standard of love that Christ set, requiring us to use our minds, words, and lifestyles to honor Him?
Do people wish we hadn't opened our mouths?
Are we standing up for truth, or for centuries-old prejudices and assumptions?
Do we know the difference?
It's time we thought about things.
Prophetic zeal.
ReplyDeleteAnd how wonderful would it be if the church offered the things we think this country needs if the government isn't offering them.
Ahh good point.
ReplyDeleteI would love for the American church to no longer be seen as a 'social club', but as a FORCE to be reckoned with. How on earth does that happen? It's gotta start with us!