Loving and reaching people in a politically divided nation By Randy Hurst
How should we, as followers of Christ, relate to people in such a politically divided nation? How should we, as followers of Christ, relate to people in such a politically divided nation? We must be careful not to allow politics to hinder our God-given purpose to be active in His redemptive mission by clearly communicating the message of Christ s love and forgiveness to a sinful world. Paul s advice in 2 Corinthians 5:1 is especially appropriate: From now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. In an emotionally charged political climate, it is essential that Christian believers retain a spiritual perspective. We should view people beyond political and even moral issues. Each person is an eternal soul for whom God sent His Son to die. Each is someone we are called to reach in the love of Christ.
Reaching the lost should be preceded by loving the lost. Ancient examples The Book of Daniel is particularly relevant to the increasingly ungodly culture in which American Christians find themselves. God spoke to Daniel in visions that enabled him to record history in advance. In The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, historian Edward Gibbon, who was not a Christian, stated that the four empires and the invincible armies of the Romans were described with as much clarity in the prophecies of Daniel before the events happened as they were afterward in the histories of Justin and Diodorus. Even beyond ancient history, Daniel s prophecies clearly show that social and political conflict will exist until Christ s eternal kingdom is established on earth. Daniel also reveals a compelling example of how, in an ungodly nation, the lives of the prophet himself and his friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were not only exemplary but also influential. Daniel s uncompromising character was evident when he continued to pray after the king s edict made such an act illegal. But even as he followed what was right, he showed respect to each king he served. What finally caused King Darius to put Daniel in the lion s den was not a rebellious act by Daniel. It was the result of a trick by Daniel s enemies. In fact, Scripture records that the king immediately tried to find a way to save Daniel. Daniel s life and service elicited the respect and concern of the king whose law Daniel s integrity made him break. After Daniel s deliverance, King Darius said, I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions. 1 When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were cast into the fiery furnace, it was not for strident protests of civil disobedience. There is no record of them shouting, We won t obey! They simply wouldn t bow. They took a stand. Though uncompromising in their service to God, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego won the respect of ungodly rulers and even more importantly brought glory to God. The Bible records that King Nebuchadnezzar bowed down before Daniel, paid him honor and said, Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings. 2 Years later he said, I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. 3 Apostolic instruction The apostles Peter and Paul boldly preached Christ. But both taught that proclaiming the message effectively requires more than just words. They also emphasized the importance of the way in which we should communicate. Peter wrote, In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 4 Concerning unbelieving husbands he wrote, If any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 5 Paul wrote to the Colossian believers: Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace so that you will know how you should respond to each person. More than words Many Christians believe that if they know the right words, offer the right arguments and are persuasive enough, they will be effective witnesses. But reaching people for Christ involves more than just saying the right things. A clear evangelistic message cannot compromise the truth concerning man s need for forgiveness and transformation. But the right words should not be shared with a wrong attitude, such as a proud, judgmental or condemning spirit. A contradiction between what we say and how we say it sends mixed signals that hinder the effectiveness of our message. In His final days with the disciples, Jesus gave commands and instructions concerning the mission to which He was committing them and us. We are to proclaim His message and make disciples in all the world. But our effectiveness in fulfilling the Great Commission will be determined by our obedience to another of His commands, one He called the greatest commandment. Jesus told His followers that by their love all men would know that they were His disciples. People don t separate the message from the messengers. Our lives should illustrate the transforming power of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and our love should reflect the love of our Savior. Love is disarming. Genuine, tangible Christian love will open the door for the message. Reaching the lost should be preceded by loving the lost. The consequences of social and political issues are critical, but they are far outweighed by the eternal consequences of sin. Cultures change and governments rise and fall. The souls of people endure forever. In the midst of conflicts concerning right and wrong, we must take a stand. However, we should remember that other issues are at stake that are significant not only for the time in which we live but also for eternity. The most powerful means of reforming our nation is for individual lives to be transformed by the power of the gospel. Minds can be changed by God s truth and hearts by the power of His Spirit. In the light of eternity, our most important objective is not to win people over to our political positions or moral convictions. It is to lead them to Jesus. All Scriptures are from NIV unless otherwise noted. Italics added for emphasis. 1 Daniel :2,2 2 Daniel 2:4,4 3 Daniel 4:3 4 1 Peter 3:15,1 5 1 Peter 3:1,2 Colossians 4:5, (NASB) John 13:34,35
Simply Sharing Christ A critical part of effective witnessing is timing. God works in nonbelievers lives and allows us the privilege of entering into that work. Because God is at work in the circumstances, minds and hearts of people, we must be ready to respond to them when He gives us when speaking to the Jews, but in the opposite order: According to Paul s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, torical person, possibly as a great teacher or even a prophet but only a man. Jesus was much more than a teacher and prophet. He was God in human form. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died for our sins and conquered death by rising talking about is not just our body dying. It means our spirit, which lives forever, will be in everlasting punishment in hell. Jesus explained that hell is like a lake of fire, and that everyone who goes there is separated from God forever and burns in fire that never ends. 9 opportunities. The apostles Peter and Paul taught the early Christians to be effective witnesses by being responsive to nonbelievers. Peter wrote, Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. 1 And Paul wrote to the Colossians: Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. 2 Often, the majority of effective witnessing is listening. A conversation can lead to discussing two critical questions. Who and why In their preaching, both Peter and Paul addressed two vital questions about Jesus. Peter s preaching in Acts always answers these two basic questions: Who was Jesus? Why did He give His life? 3 Paul answered the same two questions This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ. 4 To the Corinthians, Paul wrote that his message was simply Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. 5 Being prepared to discuss these same two questions will equip a person to simply but effectively share Christ. They are the two most penetrating questions a person can consider. Who was Jesus? In recent years, Jesus has been a prominent focus of attention in the media. Cover stories about Him have appeared in almost all major national news magazines. Television programs and miniseries have featured Bible characters especially Jesus. But, accounts of Christ s life by secular media almost invariably question or even deny outright the historical reliability and accuracy of the four Gospels. Jesus is sometimes presented as just a mythical figure. At other times He is shown as a his- again to offer us the gift of everlasting life. When speaking with nonbelievers with no Christian background, first focus on who Jesus was in history, speaking of Jesus as God in human form 2,000 years ago, before progressing to who Jesus is the living, resurrected Christ. If Jesus Christ was not who He claimed to be, if He is not the crucified and risen Son of God, then as the apostle Paul declared, our faith is useless. Paul wrote, There is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. Why did He give His life? John the Baptist clearly announced the purpose of Jesus mission in coming to earth when he said, Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! The reason Jesus gave His life is because each of us has sinned and is separated from God. The punishment for sin is death. 8 The death the Bible is But, God made a way to forgive us, save us from everlasting punishment and bring about His plan for our lives. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty for our sins. Jesus was born as a man, but He lived His life without sin. Men lied about Him and judged Him guilty of things He had never done. Then they hanged Him on a cross to die. Jesus never sinned, but He was punished for sin. So death had no power over Him, and He came back to life after three days. 10 Now He gives everlasting life to anyone who receives Him. All Scripture references from the NASB unless otherwise noted. 1 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV) 2 Colossians 4:5, 3 Acts 2:22-3, 3:12-2, 4:8-12, 10:34-43 4 Acts 1:2,3 5 1 Corinthians 2:2 1 Timothy 2:5 (NIV) John 1:29 8 Romans :23 9 Mark 9:4,48 10 Mark 8:31, 9:31
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