Oil and Water
We all know about oil and water right? They don’t mix.
That is exactly what I thought about when I read this blog post from Church Marketing Sucks, and then in turn this article from ABC News.
Just for the record I am not against church, America, guns, government, or the constitution. However, I am overwhelmingly against mixing the above mentioned elements.
Christians and specifically the American Church has, for far to long, divided over non-kingdom matters mainly due to mixing spiritual and civic priorities, ceremonies, and ideals. I have wrote more about this here.
We as Christians in America need to do some serious soul searching concerning what our priorities are and where they come from. Furthermore we need to look more deeply at what practices in our church are based on biblical principles rather than modern practices.
Keeping “the main thing the main thing” is the only way to advance the Kingdom and grow a church. Focus on Jesus and all other issues and concerns will fall away.
Jesus himself taught this same lesson in Matthew 22:15-22
Matthew 22:15-22
Then the Pharisees went and plotted together how they might trap Him in what He said. And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any. ”Tell us then, what do You think? Is it lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus perceived their malice, and said, “Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites? ”Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax.” And they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.” And hearing this, they were amazed, and leaving Him, they went away.
Christ is talking about more than just taxes here. He is talking about priorities and allegiance. He is not willing to concern Himself with the worries of this world at the expense of His Father’s Kingdom. We should follow His example, and be equally as fervent to stay focused on our true purpose.
–Wholly Surrender!