As a believer in Jesus Christ and someone who stays abreast of what is occurring in the world, can I ask you a question? Is it getting harder to know about, process and love with what is happening around us?
Let me say that for me it is certainly not getting in easier. It is not getting harder because for me that moment of where I seemed to recognize just how bad things are occurred awhile ago.
I would think that for most people it would be difficult at best to see a lot of good things happening around us. We need to recognize that this has actually been part of the course for mankind throughout history. Were there better times in history? Certainly, just like there were times when it has been even worse.
Now in a perfect world, which this one is not, mankind would learn from it's mistakes. Chart the better course and strive to be a better person. Well, we all know how that idea has worked out. It hasn't and mankind continues to keep repeating, at the least, the same mistakes.
Until you seriously look around and learn, you are going to find out that this world has some very strange and for you possibly objectionable ideas about how things are to be. It comes from the perspective of a particular society. It is often influenced by some form of belief system to which the people are committed.
When some of those things are then introduced into another society there can be conflict that erupts. It would be important for you to know right now that not everyone thinks like you. Not everyone has your same belief system and those are just your neighbors. We aren't even talking about other countries.
We are influenced and often then controlled by what goes on around us. This is true in every aspect of life. The Christian influence of our founding fathers made what was a nation that was Christian. That did not mean everyone was a Christian but the majority were and it influenced the young nation and how it acted.
Scripture says that we as believers are to be salt and light. Matthew 5:13-16 is Jesus explaining what we are to be-
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.
15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.
16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
The important part of this teaching of Jesus is what our role is to be in the world. It also clearly describes how anything can have an affect when it is manifested. Are we that Christian nation from which we began? Probably not and most certainly less of a Christian nation because of what has occurred throughout our history. Please understand I am not saying that people should not come and be a part of this country. I am however saying that when they come they do so learning who we are and what we hold as truth. I also realize that is not occurring today. The tried and proven way of people learning who we are are has been lost.
So how does this affect you and I as believers? Well, for one thing it reminds us that we must be teaching the truth of God's Word in our churches. That when people come into the church it is our job to make certain they are true believers. That the Gospel must be front and center in all that the church does. If you don't know what you believe, you will fall for anything.
I have experienced some good and bad ways of people coming into the church. The right way is for the church to very sincerely and unapologetically say who they are and what they believe. As a church, you must know what you believe and be sure that each person who comes into the church is educated into those beliefs.
Now probabaly after the last couple of paragraphs you might be asking yourself "so what does he mean about know what you believe?" Well, I am glad you asked and let me explain that to you.
A church in which Christ is the head will have very specific beliefs that are non-negotiable. They are basic, foundational and fundamental into who the church is and they are then common to all churches to which Christ is head.
the church believes that salvation is through Jesus and Him alone
the church is surrendered to Christ
the church is a soul winning church
the church is waiting for the return of Jesus Christ
Now is there more to a church? Of course there is but these 4 basics are foundational and fundamental. It is all about keeping the main thing the main thing.
In God's Grace,
Elbert Nasworthy
