Should Christians campaign against supposed "social injustice"?

Over the last few years it has become apparent that a number of so-called "Evangelical" Christian societies have been more concerned with getting involved in politics and fighting "social injustice" than preaching the Gospel.  Is this right?  What is more important - campaigning to put the world to rights or telling people the only way to be saved for all eternity?

In Mark 14 v 7 Jesus said that the poor are always with us and when we wish we may do them good.  There is nothing wrong with helping someone in need and, on occasion, I've bought a meal for a homeless person.  Such an act opens an opportunity for the Gospel and may lead to that person getting saved.

However, what should be the main thrust of our service for Christ?  I would suggest that campaigning on social issues detracts from the real task that the Saviour left us viz. to spread the Gospel so that souls may be saved.  Consider the following 5 points:

1.  Christ did not concern Himself with the problems and politics of this world.  When a man came to Him complaining about his brother not sharing the inheritance this may well have been an opportunity to put right a perceived wrong.  However, Jesus refused to get involved (see Luke 12 v 13-14).

2.  Christ lived during a time of great oppression from the Roman occupation but did not once mention the need to protest against the Romans.  Moreover, He showed kindness to a centurion.

3.  Peter lived at the time of Nero, a particularly nasty bit of work, but did not encourage any form of protest against him; on the contrary he taught that one should be submissive to the authorities - (see 1st Peter 2 v 13).

4.  Paul taught, in Romans 13 that God appoints the government and we should not rebel against it. The only exception being where the authorities try to prevent Gospel preaching (see Acts 5 v 29).  Moreover, in this chapter we are told that the prime responsibility of the government is the maintenance of the rule of law "they bear not the sword in vain".  It is NOT the government's job to provide health, education and welfare; it is wholly wrong for Christians to protest against welfare cuts which are designed to stop scroungers sponging off the state (If anyone refuses to work let him not eat - 2nd Thess. 3 v 10).

5.  God sets a person's station in life.  He ordains an individual's financial circumstances.  As Christians we believe God provides, and we trust in Him rather than moan about the government not giving us enough money (see Phil 4 v 19).  

I believe that our PRIME responsibility is to spread the Gospel (Christ died for our sins and rose again) so that people can be saved.  After all, what good is it for "social injustice" to be put right if the beneficiaries of our action are heading for Hell when they die?

Are you "IN"to the Bible?

Over the last 30 odd years I've read the Bible through many times and the more I read it the more convinced I am that it is the Word of God.  While perusing this thought recently I came up with the following 5 "IN"s:

1.  The Bible is INspired.

In 2nd Timothy 3 v 16 we are told that all scripture is "given by inspiration of God".  Some versions use the words "God breathed".  The very words of God have been breathed into being in the pages of this wonderful book.  All that God has to say to us is there in the Bible.

2.  The Bible is INerrant.

As mentioned above, I've read it through many times and have not found any errors.  The supposed contradictions can easily be answered by keeping a passage in context.  It is historically accurate and no known fact of science or archeology has disproved the Bible.

3.  The Bible is INfallible.

Many so-called "Christian" ministers deny the Bible's infallibility and claim it has mistakes.  IF the Bible contains mistakes how do we know Jesus is the Son of God?  To call oneself a Christian and deny the infalliblity of the Bible is to cut away the ground from beneath one's feet.

4. The Bible is INdestructible.

As a young kid I used to watch "Captain Scarlet".  This man was indestructible; no matter how many times he was shot he still survived.  The Bible is like "Captain Scarlet" - down through the centuries it has been attacked and maligned.  However, it still survives today and is still changing lives for the better.

5. The Bible is INvincible.

Voltaire boasted that within a 100 years of his death the Bible would be a museum piece and nothing more.  However, not long after he passed into eternity (to face the God he had denied) his very house was used to publish God's Word! Truly God has the last laugh - His word is invincible, it will always triumph.

 I feel deeply privileged to be an evangelist spreading the truths of this glorious, soul-saving book!

What do these 6 men have in common?

Apart from the fact that they are the men what do the following 6 people have in common?

1.  Von Ribbentrop - Nazi

2.  Billy McCurrie - terrorist

3.  Mitsuo Fuchida - Jap pilot (who led raid on Pearl Harbour)

4.  David Upton - homosexual

5.  Michael Ford - atheist

6. Brian Morris - Drug Dealer

The answer is....they all got saved!  The details of these people are available on the internet - simply google their names, with the words "Christian conversion" afterwards, for the proof of their wonderful change.

1. Von Ribbentrop

He was Hitler's Foreign Minister, and one of the men convicted of war crimes for which he was hanged.  What isn't so well known is that he got saved before going to the gallows.  His true story is outlined by Chaplain Gerecke.

2.  Billy McCurrie

Was a terrorist in N Ireland; got saved and is now a Baptist Minister soundly preaching the Gospel.  This man's violent hatred was removed by the power of the Holy Spirit.

3. Mitsuo Fuchida

He was the pilot who led the infamous attack on Pearl Harbour.  Got saved 5 years after the war ended after being given a tract as he got off a subway train in Tokyo.

4. David Upton

David was involved in homosexuality for many years and was told that he couldn't change, but he did through the power of the Gospel.  His testimony can be viewed on www.illbehonest.com  (scroll down to the bottom to the "testimonies" section).

5.  Michael Ford

Michael was an atheist who had no time for the Bible's claim to be God's word, BUT God had other plans for him and drew him to repentance and faith in Christ.   Again, view his testimony on www.illbehonest .com

6. Brian Morris

Brian served a prison sentence for drug dealing but got saved in prison and is now a Baptist Minister in Wales.  His testimony was highlighted in the national press.  Google "Brian Morris former drug dealer, now minister". 

Time and time again, I've heard of, and come across, people who have been changed by the Gospel.  I personally know of some who've got saved through the street ministry in Canterbury,  including a former God-hating satan worshipper and a former drug addict.

(I've no doubt that enemies of the Gospel will boast about former "Christians" who fell away but that only proves the Bible is true.  Jesus predicted, in the parable of the sower, that there would be people who profess salvation but fall away).

The Bible says: "If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation, old things have passed away; behold all things have become new".  2nd Corinthians 5 v 17.

The devil uses the film industry to spread his lies.

I note from the national press that the film "Ouija", which is being shown on cinemas at the moment, is leading to a huge increase in people dabbling in the occult. This will, in turn, lead to a corresponding increase in people being taken over by demonic forces and suffering all sorts of mental and physical troubles in their lives.

Indeed, it is not an exaggeration to say that the devil has destroyed many people's lives (not to mention their eternal souls) by drawing them into activities like "Ouija" boards and so on.  Moreover, he uses all sorts of ways in which to lead people into godless behaviour with the film industry (as we see from this latest "offering") being one of those ways.

Another example of the devil using a film to lead people astray is "Brokeback Mountain" (released about 10 years ago).  I saw a trailer for this and quickly realised that it was promoting a particularly filthy and vile perversion of the most unnatural kind.  A cursory read over a review confirmed this to be the case.   No doubt the aim of the film was to convince people that this kind of "behaviour" was acceptable and that anyone who objects was a narrow minded bigot. 

This kind of tactic from the devil is nothing new; in the 1960s "The Dirty Dozen" was released and quickly became popular.   It was about a group of US soldiers who went on a suicide mission to kill Germans.  However, in keeping with the anti-Bible spirit of that decade, one of the characters used the Bible to justify his killing of women.   I'm sure that many watching that film were led to believe that Bible-believing Christians were extremist nut cases and, as a result, closed their minds to the Gospel.

A more recent example of this satanic chicanery is "12 Years A Slave" about a black man kidnapped and sold into slavery while in a drunken state.  One could argue that his drunkenness led him into the suffering he endured over the next 12 years (a clear warning against abusing alcohol).  However, as I watched this film it became clear to me that this was yet another case of the devil trying to discredit the Bible. The "villain" of the story was Edwin Epps who, even by Southern standards of brutality, was particularly wicked.  What I objected to was the way the film showed his use of the Bible to justify mistreating the slaves.

While it is true that many people have misinterpreted the Bible in order to claim that their vile conduct is justified in God's sight, it is also true that the devil will use every means at his disposal to put people off reading the Bible and seeking after God - the film industry being one of the most obvious examples.

What should be our response to this?

We should simply rest in the sovereignty of God.  We need to recognise that  the devil has always been in the business of attacking people's souls by seeking to lead them away from the truth BUT he is a defeated foe.  No matter how much he uses his devious means to fulfil his purposes he will never stop the elect from being saved.  ALL people elected, according to the foreknowledge of God, WILL be saved.  In John 6 v 37 we read that every person given to Jesus by His Father will believe in Him.  The devil will use many and varied ways to draw people after himself, but even he cannot stop God from drawing the elect to the foot of the cross in repentance and faith in Christ.

As we spread the glorious truths of the Gospel let us do so in absolute confidence that the Gospel "is the power of God unto salvation to every one who believes".   Romans 1 v 16.

An excellent web site for seekers after truth.

Over the last 10 years, or so, I've sought many opportunities to engage in reasoned debate with non-Christians on the internet.  Although there have been some people with a willingness to discuss various issues in a reasonable way, there have also been many occasions when I've had to stop such debates because the unbeliever has showed a distinct hostility to having a sensible discussion.

Such people are not interested in searching for truth, all they want to do is pour out invective against God and the Bible; to attempt to reason with them is a classic case of "pearls before swine" - Matthew 7 v 6.  (Indeed, some of these people have been so angry against the Bible they have even banned me from their blogs, no doubt because they cannot cope with the power of God's word).   Moreover, when passing out tracts on the street I've become adept as discerning the difference between a genuine seeker and those who just want to have an argument.

When meeting genuine seekers I often point them to an excellent web site which seeks to answer people's sincere questions and exposes the errors of false teaching eg evolution, atheism and the cults. This web site I write on the back of a booklet entitled "Knowing God personally" which I give to people who show any kind of interest in the truths of the Gospel.

The address of it is:   www.thechristiananswer.org and it is well worth a Christian studying it in order to strengthen one's faith and give ready answers to genuine enquirers.  The Bible says that we need to be ready to give an answer to those who ask about the faith we have (1st Peter 3 v 15).

This web site is an invaluable aid to evangelists and, indeed, to any Christian with a desire to spread the word so that others can be saved.  As we do so let us remember that if a person is truly, and sincerely, seeking after God then they will find Him.

"You will seek me and find me, when you search for me with all your heart"  Jeremiah 29 v 13

Political Correctness - the new Nazi party

In 1930s Germany you would get into serious trouble for nothing more than simply expressing mild criticism of the Nazi party, you  would be arrested and sent to prison for such "offences".   Moreover, it was even likely that if your son or daughter made an unguarded comment at school, to the effect that you disapproved of Hitler, then you would not only get a visit from the State Police, but your kids would be taken away from you.

Fast forward 80 years to the Western world today.   Politicians often boast about how people fought in the world wars for freedom.  They boast that we are free to live and work without state interference; they even claim that we have free speech.  However, the facts contradict such boasting; consider the following:

Christian believers have been arrested just for outlining basic New Testament doctrine concerning marriage and family life viz. that marriage is for one man and one woman. and that sex should only take place within marriage;  in other words that fornication, adultery and homosexuality are all sinful.  Christians have been dismissed from jobs or demoted for expressing such truths.

Moreover, in the name of tolerance, we are told that all religions lead to God and, if a Christian preacher states that Jesus is the ONLY way to Heaven then that is a form of racism.  Indeed, I well remember someone accusing me of racism when I told him that truth.

In my street evangelism I've noticed that there is an increasing public awareness of the fact that true Christian preachers emphatically state the truth of John 14 v 6, and there are many more questions about this issue than used to be that case a few years ago.   One evening in August I had 4 conversations with enquirers who pressed me on this matter.   I've also told adherents of "other religions" that people who don't believe that Jesus is the Son of God are going to Hell (see John 3 v 18).

So far I've not had any trouble with the Police over this but it is only a matter of time before someone complains and then I'll be seeing the inside of a cell.  For example, in Ramsgate I've had several conversations with a Jewish chap and we get on well together.  However, if he had taken exception to me telling him that those who don't believe Jesus is the Son of God are going to Hell, then I would have been accused of anti-semitism and probably arrested.

Does this mean that we water down the truth of God's infallible word?  Chocolate soldiers would, no doubt, look for ways to fit in with the ungodly and still maintain their Christian faith (or what's left of it) but true soldiers of the cross will unashamedly, and unreservedly declare the truth of the Gospel even though it may mean serious consequences.

In 1990 I stood in a pulpit and stated that the day will come when Christian preachers will be nicked simply for telling people that Jesus is the only way to Heaven, and that all other beliefs will lead people to Hell.  At the time this seemed a preposterous suggestion, but the days are rapidly approaching, and may even be here, when it becomes a criminal offence to preach Christ outside the four walls of a church building.

We should not be suprised at this, the Gospel has always been opposed but has always triumphed in the salvation of souls and the glorification of Christ's name.  Indeed, the reason why Gospel preaching is so strongly opposed is simple - it is the truth and the devil doesn't like it.

"I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes"  Romans 1 v 16

Jihadi John? We are all murderers!

In recent weeks there has been a lot of newspaper reports about the activities of a group of Islamic Fundamentalists going under the name of "Islamic State" (or ISIS or ISIL).   This group has been causing a huge amount of havoc in Syria and Iraq, carrying out atrocities including the decapitation of westerners who have had the misfortune to fall into their hands.

One of the terrorists responsible for this barbarity has been a man with a British accent dubbed "Jihadi John".  This "person" has appeared on videos purporting to show the murder of at least 4 westerners (2 Brits and 2 yanks).  I understand that there is a huge manhunt underway to capture him and bring him to some kind of justice.

It is right that we condemn the wickedness of I.S. and the one termed Jihadi John but, before we do, let us remember that we are all murderers, we have all committed acts of killing.  I state this fact for 2 reasons:

Firstly, in the New Testament Jesus taught that if we hate someone then we as guilty as killers (Matthew 5 v 21-22).   Simply hating someone in our hearts is just as if we had killed them.  God sees everyting and, if we don't repent of hating someone the Lord will bring us to account in the same way as if we had killed.

Secondly, when Jesus died on the cross He did so as a sacrifice for the sins of the whole world.  It was part of the divine plan that He would pay the price for our sins.  Therefore, it was not the Romans alone who killed Him (or the Jews for crying out for His blood) but it was us.  We all killed Christ - we all had a hand in putting to death the Son of God, a dreadful crime because Christ was sinless and perfect.

Consequently we must conclude that we are all guilty before God, and we all need to repent of these acts of wickedness.  Having repented we must all then accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour - He is the ONLY way to eternal life.

Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth and the life; no-one comes to the Father but by me"  John 14 v 6