"Christian" Activism

Should we or shouldn't we?

Should we protest?

Should we stand up for a cause?

Should we promote a "Christian" agenda publicly and vocally?

Should we protest the rights of the unborn child?  The right to teach Creation in public schools?  Traditional marriage between one man and one woman?

Is activism a calling of a Christian?

It's easy to become involved in activism.  It's easy to become passionate about a cause, especially for Christians, because we feel strongly about these issues.  Morality is being eroded by our society, government, and media.  Someone has to stand up for these moral issues right?!

The things I've mentioned are very "hot button" topics today.  I've seen more than one facebook argument ensue over a moral, Christian opinion someone has expressed in their status.  It's not that I don't think we should be bold in sharing our stand on these types of issues, but sometimes I question the value of spending so much time "lobbying".  Are we really making a difference, or are we missing the point?

A little over a year ago I posted a sermon my Pastor preached about Christians protesting.  It's been one of the most viewed articles on my blog.  In this sermon, my pastor shared what the Bible says about protesting.  We could also call it activism.  The truth is, you don't see a whole lot of this kind of thing going on in the Bible.

Is abortion wrong? Absolutely.  Do we need Creationism taught in our public schools? Yes!  Should we stand against same-sex marriage?  I think so.

BUT...

I am convinced that no matter how many protests we rally, how many letters we write to our MPP's and MP's, or how many petitions we sign, these are only band-aids solutions for a wound that really needs reconstructive surgery.  Our problem is not abortion, same-sex marriage, and/or evolution.  The problem today is SIN.

And the solution is right in the Scriptures.
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins... For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. (Eph 2:1, 8; see also Romans 1).

Here's something I think is funny about Christians.  We get on these kicks of supporting our "causes" and "issues", and it's like we do everything we can to avoid dealing with the CAUSE of the cause or issue.  We'll attend fundraisers, prayer groups, rallies, protests, donate money, and a host of other things, but we won't pass out a gospel tract or witness to our neighbour!  What good is our presence at a protest if we can't give out a gospel tract?  A protest is never going to save a lost sinner, but preaching the gospel to them will!

Paul said that it is the GOSPEL that is the ...power of God (Rom 1:16), not attending a pro-life fundraiser.  II Corinthians 5:17 tells us that it's being in Christ that makes us a new creature.  If we want to change our world, we need people's lives to be transformed by Christ!  We don't just need a teacher who is allowed to teach Creation in high school.  It's time to start doing that reconstructive surgery on the wound and stop applying the band-aids! Attending a rally against same-sex marriage isn't going to do one thing to make our society change it's views on that subject.  You could post a facebook status every day condemning abortion, but it's not going to change a single thing!!!  What changes people is CHRIST!  What changes people is having their sins forgiven!

I believe that the devil uses these things to distract Christians from what's really important.  The last thing Satan wants is for us to tell others about Christ, so if he can get us distracted from that he will.  What's worse is that he uses a good cause to distract us, so we don't even realize half the time what we are doing!  I never said that would shouldn't be against abortion or same-sex marriage.  I think it's good and right to be against those things, because the Bible teaches us they are wrong.  But, the Bible also teaches us that our calling is to tell others about Christ.  Mark 16:15 doesn't say "Go ye into all the world and protest abortion, and then people will see that it's wrong, and then everyone will change, and then they will get saved."!!!

God's Word is clear.  The world is lost, and it's getting worse and worse.  The world doesn't need another protest or another fundraiser.  The world needs Christ.  When we start giving people Christ, HE will change their lives.  That's what's going to stop abortion and allow Creation to be taught in our schools.  When lives are transformed by Christ, people will put away their sin and live for their Saviour.  Let's use our time, energy, and resources on what really will help our world!  It's as simple as passing out a gospel tract, inviting someone to church, or sharing a Scripture verse.  We can all do it!  God was so good to save us when we came to Him in repentance and faith.  Our one and only goal should be to share that amazing gift with everyone we meet!  I need more encouragement to do this too, so I hope that we can all work together to get the gospel to our communities.