It is hard to understand politics if you are hung up on reality. Politicians leave reality to others. What matters in politics is what you can get the voters to believe, whether it bears any resemblance to reality or not. Not only among politicians, but also among much of the media, and even among some of the public, the quest is not for truth about reality but for talking points that fit a vision or advance an agenda. Some seem to see it as a personal contest about who is best at fencing with words. (Thomas Sowell, Town Hall.com July 5 2011)
For many, Dr. Sowell’s statement does not come as a surprise. As a society we have come to the point where we do not expect much from our politicians. When it comes to who is more trustworthy many will have a difficult time choosing between politicians and the used car sales men.
As disturbing as this might seem (i.e. disregard for truth and reality), this same attitude of ignoring the truth and reality has found its way into the church. For some unknown reason the church have abdicated its role as the arbiter of truth and the soul of the society and have now embraced the politically correct culture of “acceptance” and “tolerance.” A culture that seeks to undermine everything the scriptures advocates. Instead of confronting man’s greatest need (Redemption and the forgiveness of sin) the body of Christ is now preoccupied with pop psychology, motivational speeches and health and wealth sermons. Is it any wonder that church members do not view the bible as the authoritative word of God? Is it any wonder that preachers no longer believe in the power of the gospel to save?
If the body of Christ is not even willing to take a firm stand against some of the issues facing us a nation, how will it deal with the erosion of basic Christian doctrine? If the body of Christ lacks common sense and discernment to such an extent that we now tolerate and accept overt errors in the name of political correctness, how will we be able to handle the attack on doctrinal integrity? Truth according to scriptural is objective and it corresponds to reality. Unfortunately the church’s view of truth today is not only subjective but emotive. Issues such as abortion, homosexuality, euthanasia etc which are relevant to our culture are not only being rationalized but promoted by the church. Some within the church are even calling for a period of silence so that we can better understand this issues before the church can take a position. How interesting! it is no longer an issue of acceptance and tolerance but that of silence (systematic censorship).
It is one thing for the leaders of God’s people to abdicate their responsibilities, it is another thing for the people of God to love, enjoy and relish what the leaders of God’s people are doing. The situation in the church is made worse because of the attitude of Christians who sit in the pew every week. Jeremiah 5:30-31 tells us A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; [31] The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof? This is a dangerous position for the church to be in because when truth becomes irrelevant, the opinion of the powerful becomes law, opinion poll becomes the drives of decisions and surveys become the source of “truth”. When truth becomes irrelevant, feelings takes the place of reason, challenger becomes vilified and collective salvation trumps individual responsibility.
For the church to remain relevant within our body polity there is a need for an awakening within the body of Christ. The reason for this much needed awakening is because the church cannot rise above the level of its leadership. That is why this downward spiral must stop. We must reverse the course of self-destruction embarked upon by the body of Christ. 2 Chron. 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. We as Individual believers must examine ourselves and check if we are still in the faith , we must hold ourselves accountable to the word of God, we must ask ourselves are will living a life that brings glory to him in this perverse world? When we have the courage to confront the issues facing us as individuals that is when we will be in a position to confront and challenge the leaders of God’s people.
