tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255306865882909508.post1443273663258868355..comments2023-04-13T03:40:21.382-05:00Comments on San Antonio Bible Heralds: "The Christian's Responsibility in a Pagan Society"MikeThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08611741320703303844noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255306865882909508.post-12672349320145000552020-05-21T11:44:26.923-05:002020-05-21T11:44:26.923-05:00You couldn't be any more right!! As we have di...You couldn't be any more right!! As we have discussed previously, this idea that so many Christians have that they have to "demand their rights" is ludicrous on its face. I have said before that Paul made use of his citizenship only when it was convenient to the spread of the gospel, not so people would defer to him and give him his "space." But all this today is a product of the society that we have been raised in. The demand for our rights is the way of the world and, as with so many other things, that mentality has also infected the church. As to whether those folks are cultivating the fruit of the Spirit, I leave that to the Lord who alone knows the heart. But their actions do not speak well for them. Thanks!MikeThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08611741320703303844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255306865882909508.post-448359032767805112020-05-21T10:33:05.305-05:002020-05-21T10:33:05.305-05:00I agree with both the Seel quote and the following...I agree with both the Seel quote and the following MacArthur commentary. As you know, I have been somewhat appalled by the reaction of some of the brethren we know in common who are seemingly more interested in war with culture/government than with evangelism and a passionate, unflustered, genuine Christ-likeness. The Lord alone knows, but my best guess is that those who are ever flummoxed over the "culture wars" and whose passions and energies are spent engaging those government and kindred concerns - may find little left over for the genuine cultivation of the fruit of the spirit, and the need to evangelize and for being a blessing to our fellow congregants, and society at large. We are to witness of Christ to society - not war with it. Paul did not, nor did the other apostles wage campaigns against Roman, Greek and other governments. They did not picket, boycott and waste countless hours bemoaning that the secular and godless world is what it is - secular and godless. They went about preaching the gospel. Establishing churches. They were not preaching the "gospel" of Americanism, nor were they establishing "faith-based" organizations to confront government/societal powers. Somehow, what to me seems most biblical in terms of conduct and intent is now waved off with the demeaning use of the word "pietism." That's rubbish. As Christians, we are to model our behavior on the precepts and examples from the Word of God. We ought be, to the best of our abilities, the best citizens of our country...and not numbered among those fomenting obstinance, if not outright rebellion against our God-given government. Particularly NOT over this virus issue. The "good news" is not about Christianizing the nations - it is about God's calling and saving His people in Christ. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com