"Surely, the principles and the practice of Christianity are simple and lead not only to meditation but to action." William Pitt to William Wilberforce 2 December 1786.
The eminent British theologian and pastor, Martyn Lloyd Jones has left us a sermon on God’s recognition of earthly works that requires serious examination. Of course he is addressing a Christian, a person who has been moved by the Spirit of God to see and understand his own guilt, from which comes a Godly fear and repentance for sin. The work of regeneration is entirely of grace, initiated against our natural inclinations by the Spirit of God. That is why salvation is not to our credit for we have no part in initiating a hunger and a thirst to be right with God.
If you are a Believer, you will rejoice over that event in your life and at the same time you may be raising an eyebrow and wondering what more could possibly be said about earthly works.
The Scriptures do teach clearly that believers do embark on a sanctification journey which encourages the development of the fruits of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, long-suffering, meekness, gentleness against which the world has no quarrel. Such persons are peaceable in society, endeavoring to defeat personal sin, enjoying fellowship with others, serving in their local church as Sunday School teachers, choir members, youth leaders and more. Outside the church they even bear witness to their faith. Whenever they are presented with an opportunity to acclaim the merits of Christ’s sacrifice, they do so, trusting that the Spirit will, through their witness bring about a work of grace in others.
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/living-grace/player/the-spirit-of-christ-434370.html
So far, at least in Canada, no one could ever find fault, unless of course you happen to be a student at Trinity Western University, where they encourage students to voluntarily subscribe to a Biblical code of ethics. However, at the individual level, the behavior of Christian persons is innocuous, as well as mandated by every western code of polite behavior.
Conversely, it’s true that in many areas of the world that are dominated by religions such as Islam, converts to Christianity do not have the same freedoms. Just assembling together to hold a church service can be an offense punishable by death. The freedoms to witness to a society hostile to the Gospel of Jesus Christ are limited, and maintaining one’s own counsel and integrity in such a situation becomes in itself the cross on which they may be called to give up their lives. Martyrdom has happened literally thousands of times in our generation.
So what more..... can be required of western Christians ? Because of Christianity, the west has been the cradle of individual freedom. In fact it has become a mark of Christian character to think and to act pre-emptively to make things better or to correct evils that have crept in. This freedom to apply doctrine and do good has been the foundation of many good works. Hospitals, orphanages, unions, schools, co-ops, and insurance are but a few. These are all positive creations that have benefited society.
Now in our day, (See earlier post - Regaining the Prophetic) the socialist governments of the west have re-programmed all of the beneficence in society, to their own credit, taxing the people and swamping them in regulations that determine what they can and cannot do as a charitable society. That leaves just the negative side (what's going wrong with society) to be often forbidden by law, and hence, avoided by the Christians of our day.
Jesus said that we were to take up our cross and follow him. Did he have the comfortable pew of politically correct Christianity in mind, or was he talking about an instrument of torture that he himself would soon endure to pay for sin? The answer to that question is obvious.
All along our way, we will find causes that metaphorically are crosses beside our road. It’s often convenient to ignore them because in many cases they are evils either spawned or tolerated by the pagan society around us, and to which, the church is forbidden to comment. That leaves us as individuals, and we struggle, when all around us conform. Society around us controls what we see and hear, so it is hardly any surprise that they dictate through their media instrument, what we are to believe concerning, abortion, the Palestinians, foreign policy, marriage, human rights and individual freedoms — to name but a few.
The cross in Roman times was an instrument of torture. Why should we expect less in our day - because we live in a more civilized time? I submit it only seems civilized because in the name of peace and good will, we naturally shrink from issues that if publicly addressed, could cause us harm. Why, as Isaac Watts, the hymn writer says: Must I be carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease; While others fought to win the prize and sailed through bloody seas ?
Are we then unwilling to oppose the evils of our time ?
Martyn Lloyd Jones spells it out very clearly. Whatever we recognize as our calling will be measured by an eternal standard that involves our willingness to suffer the cross in this life. That said, I offer no judgement of any activity. You must take the risk of approval or disapproval at the eternal court yourself. The only guidelines that I can offer is that the world will not approve of any cause you embrace which disturbs the evils of the "status quo". Disapproval and scorn for a righteous cause is the more likely result, and paradoxically, the best test of our choices.
