This article by Jack Hibbs was originally published by Harbinger’s Daily (harbingersdaily.com), and is republished with permission.
Abortion is one of the driving political forces of this current election cycle. Sadly, many ill-informed pastors and Christians refuse to get involved in things like the sanctity of life because of their politics. “That’s political stuff,” they say. Really?
Do you know how that happened? Politicians ran into the church, took the topic of abortion and declared it to be a political issue, knowing that a weak, worthless, wimpy church would bow down and leave the scene. The political world ran in and said, “Marriage is not a church issue; it’s a political issue!” And the church just collapsed and folded.
As you can tell, I have no confidence at all in a church that is not a New Testament church. Why would I? Why would anybody? The church has to be the ground and pillar of all truth. The church has to be the entity by which the world is brought to the knowledge of God and also the conviction of God. The church is to be the most loved and the most hated people on Earth—just like Jesus.
If you are a pastor who says, “We just preach the gospel,” and neglects to get involved in the things your people have to live through six days a week, you are an idle Shepherd. You may have a degree. You may have your doctorate in ministry. You may come from a long line of preachers. That is irrelevant! Unless you and I are being salt and light and effective in the culture, we have become good for nothing to be cast out on the roadway and trampled under the foot of men (Matt. 5:13). In that scenario, our lampstand has been removed from its holder, Jesus said, because it has become a candle without a light (Matt. 5:14-16).
Christian: This nation is dying, if it’s not already dead. Why? A dead church.
This nation is reflecting the condition of the church today, and it’s in shambles because of sleeping pulpits and people who are too cowardly to get involved and to talk to the school board, the city council, the governor and the President. This cannot happen. This violates the heart of God.
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Each of us is going to have to make a decision. Do you do what God tells you to do, or will you do what Caesar tells you to do? Whoever you obey, that is your Lord. If Caesar says you are forbidden to talk about these issues—that they have taken and declared to be political—are you going to cower back into your corner and stay silent? If so, then you are complicit in the destruction and the attack against the will of God.
I pray that you will find it within yourself as a believer to get involved, knowing that at any moment, we can go to heaven by either rapture or death. Until that time, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16).
Find out what the school board’s doing. Find out what your governor is doing. Find out what your State Assembly is doing. Find out what your city council is doing. Do you know who your county board of supervisors are? Are you praying for them? Are you watching how they vote? Make a difference. Speak up. Write a letter. Make a phone call. Shine your light!
And yes, always preach the gospel. But I am convinced you can walk and chew gum at the same time. We can preach the gospel and then we can be disciples. Let’s do that to His glory.
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Jack Hibbs is the senior and founding pastor of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills, the Founder and President of Real Life ministry, and a nationally syndicated TV and Radio host.
Joakim Lundqvist