Privilege and Responsibility

Dear Brethren,

Are we falling for "political correctness" in the churches of God?  The basic idea is that some don’t want to offend anyone, especially any religious groups, and so they must be very careful of what they preach.  Political correctness is creeping deeper and deeper into today's mindset.  Major issues such as abortion, euthanasia, military service and homosexuality are finding increasing acceptability among various churches of God.  Why are Church leaders ever more fearful of stepping on toes?

Who will speak out unsparingly, to show God's people their sins?  Should we be careful not to offend the Islamic peoples.  Are we ashamed of the gospel, which says that God's people win?  Or is it just that the Church leadership feels that it is more important to avoid any possible offence?

The politically correct position is to not offend those of any other faiths.  The New Testament Church would not have passed the political correctness test: "There salvation in no other name: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved than that of Jesus Christ of Nazareth."  (Acts 4:12,10)

"Political correctness," asserts that one faith must not offend any of the others.  That is a false gospel.  There is only one true gospel. "Judgment is now at the house of God."  (1Peter 4:17)  This is not the day of salvation for the Arabs, Protestants or Catholics.  This is the day of salvation for the Church of God!

As God's chosen people, we are the Israel of God. (Galatians 6:16) Please realize that this unique calling and status affords us two things.  First, a very special privilege, and secondly, a responsibility, as the people of God.  We are privileged to be the unique people who can actually live God's way of life now!  But, as the only people on earth who actually understand where we are in God's Plan – we have the responsibility to warn the others.

Thank God, we have the religious freedom to speak out publicly in America.  Most other nations are not able to do so.  Two Australian pastors were found guilty of vilifying Muslims on December 17th.  They breached section 8 of Australia’s Racial and Religious Tolerance Act.  In Canada, it is a public crime to read the following scripture.  "The men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly."  (Romans 1:27)

As long as God gives us the strength – we will not be politically correct.  Here is an excerpt from one of the recent radio broadcasts.

"Muslim terrorism is fueled by a totalitarian ideology that seeks, nothing less, than world domination.  Extreme Muslim terrorism has a special focus on subjugation of all Christian countries – that is – except for America.  They desire nothing less than complete conquest of America – along with the annihilation of the American people.  World terrorism thrives in huge open societies.  Muslim extremist count it as a given that they will be able to utilize modern communication and technology, international travel across borders, world banking, and public transportation as weapons in their warfare.

"Remember how it happened in 1938 – 1939…?  In the exact same way that a fierce nationalistic pride infected and possessed the German peoples in early WWII – as they became a war mongering nation...

"In that same way, the Islamic peoples of the earth will be induced to believe that their time has come to take possession, and rule the Earth.

"Biblical prophecy shows that they will not be successful – but the Islamic peoples do not know the Bible.  The Koran does not speak of the utter demise of the Muslim nations that will come upon them as a blitzkrieg – after their pride comes to the full...

"Which Nation will it be, which ultimately intervenes, to put a halt to world terrorism as we are experiencing it?  The Bible refers to that nation and its leader as the "beast power," or the "king of the north."

"The day is coming soon, when a segment of the New European Union is going to retaliate against terrorism with a fury – and crack down hard on extreme Muslim terrorism – everywhere that it exists.  Jesus Christ prophesied clearly – exactly how the end-time clash between the Muslims and Europe would finally come to a head.  Who will come out on top?

"We read in Daniel 11:40  “And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over."  Who can know the timing of these end-time battles?"

A small flock will know.  We do not believe it is right to sit back and assume that it is someone else's duty to preach the Gospel and warn the nations.  We, in turn, like the disciples, must preach the gospel, without fear, for a witness and a warning before the end.  Jesus Christ also gave us, today, our commission when He said, "Go ye therefore and teach all nations."  The purpose of the radio broadcast is to bring a witness and a warning, not to get members.

Who will hear and respond?  Here is our hope:  We want to direct real effort at "seeking those which are lost and driven away," for the reason that they are a part of the "bride of Christ" which needs to be prepared.  Finding and feeding the flock is primary.  This is a part of the objective of the radio broadcast.  It will be good if we are able to round up a few scattered brethren who have lost their way, been driven away, or have no place to attend services.  Perhaps some wayward members will find in us the kind of caring fellowship that distinguishes the Body of Christ.

Over the airwaves, we openly speak out against homosexuality, abortion, and false religion. "...show my people their sins."  (Isaiah 58:1)  Our format includes pointing out this nation's rejection of God – and the consequences that are sure to follow.

We have the responsibility to give it our all.  Maybe, those organizations with the major resources will be motivated into like action.  That would be a good thing!  Who knows, maybe this is what God has in mind for us?   God is going to get the job done - that is for sure!  Who will do it?  We must speak out - we have to.

Jesus Christ indicts the leaders for their lack of concern for the scattered and injured brethren.  "Therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the Lord."  (Jeremiah 23:2)

Jesus is angry with those who are politically correct.  "Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?  The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost."  (Ezekiel 34:2,4)

We do not have any grandiose ideas that we will do a work that will gather all the sheep into one flock – that seems to be what Jesus, Himself, will do.  Ezekiel 34:11-12 "For thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.  As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day."

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Sermon:  "Absalom Part 1"  
Sermon:  "Absalom Part 2"  

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