November 1, 2016 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Character Series

Staying Neutral?

So many of us have been told again and again that Christians need to stay neutral. To be Christian, I am told, is to be neutral, tolerant, and a pacifist when it comes to popular culture and the political arena.

Tell that to Christ or Paul or Peter or John the Baptist. All these men were persecuted and killed for speaking out against evil leaders (politicians). God wants His people to take a stance against philosophies that imprisoned people or injustices that take advantage of others.

What does the Bible say? Psalms 58 directly implicates politicians and the evil within a society:

Justice? You high and mighty politicians don’t even know the meaning of the word! Farness? Which of you has any left? Not one! All your dealings are crooked: you give ‘injustice’ in exchange for bribes. These men are born sinners, lying from their earliest words! They are poisonous as deadly snakes, cobras that close their ears to the most expert of charmers. (The Living Bible, 1971)

How can we be called a son or daughter of God if we do not take a stance for what is good and right? Will God reward us for good works if we do not fight with words and actions of our own against injustices? Are you going to let the political climate dictate and control how you respond to societal evils? I hope not!

If you are not persecuted, if you are not spoken against, if you do not have enemies, then I can say with confidence, “You are no good to God!”

Jesus said, ‘That if He is persecuted, so will you; if the world hates me (Jesus), then it will hate you also’. When did God promise you a life without ever standing up for His principles? You can exercise all the talents and gifts God has given you and do not stand-up against evil, and then God will say, “I never knew you!” on the judgment day.

You are not God’s friend without boldness. You will never be given a mountain by God to call your own unless you are willing to fight against evil. Your name will not show up in the Book of Life if you cannot ‘love God with your strength’.

Yes, it is that important to God that you confront all that is contrary to the Gospel of Christ. Have Christ? Then have His boldness of character to be a culture changer.

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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