Back to the Basic

Back to the Basic

The social cultural in our nation toward Christianity appears to be turning sour. Basic value issues like marriage and the value of life that most Christians considers paramount are viewed by many as being intolerant, outdated, and hateful.  This seems to be especially true in metropolis areas of our nation. The question that begs an answer is how did we get here?

Often the evangelical church goer will recite the usual Christian platitudes, “it’s a sign of the end times” and “the Bible says the love of many will wax cold.” Do we know it’s the end times since the Bible tells us that no one on earth knows? Is it possible that we have dropped the ball and instead of examining our ministry; we are making another excuse? Isn't that waxing cold?

A great amount of emphasis is put on the necessity of evangelism and discipleship by church leadership as a cure for the decline in our nation’s moral convictions. Without question these are needed areas within today's ministry that need improvement.

However, there may be two elements that lay at the base of the decline of Christian effectiveness to influence our culture.  These elements have been forgotten or are being ignored. Take for example the two verses found in Hebrews:

 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV)

While verse twenty-five has been used by pastors over the ages to beat the membership into attending every service, verse twenty-four goes virtually ignored. The concept that the meeting of the body should be to encourage believers to love and good works. A concept that is unknown to many believers.

We, the believers in Christ, must earn the right to be heard. It is not a given! We must love and not just one another!  We must love those unsaved souls that differ with us. We must love even when our views are opposed; and our values are spurred. We must love when it is inconvenient. It must be sincere love with holy motivations; and it must be a consistent love. Only when they see that kind of love will today’s culture listen.

Accompanying love must be action. The army of believers in this nation must “stir up one another to love and good works.”  Unfortunately, many in our nation see the local church as a taker and not as a giver.  Why? Many local church ministries are in a maintenance mode. Everything they do is internal. They fix the roof, expand the playground, hold their banquets and keep the membership content and happy. They are seen doing very little for the community. There is a real void in good works.

Perhaps we need to return to these basic elements. We need to love like Jesus did; and to acknowledge that we were saved for good works beyond the church doors.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10 ESV)

“For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” 1 Peter 2:15-16 ESV

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