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Who "Owns" Our National Sin?

[I notice we evangelicals worry a lot about the sin in our society. I've often wondered, though, whether that is a "fear reaction" (or even a pride-reaction!) rather than a God-reaction.

My cousin had another excellent article on this topic...]

One of the main issues with church is that it is spending too much of its energy trying to increase the moral standards of the world while its own is on the decay. It is a terrible misconception to think that things are going to get better as far as moral issues are concerned in regards to the world when the word of God clearly states the opposite.

Further in trying to increase the world’s moral standards many have judged it unrighteously (I Corinthians 5:12,13). This has resulted in us losing a certain element of Grace and the world in turn judging us. While we need to profess our standards, do things legally if we have the opportunity to and help those who are deceived, we have no right to tell a nonbeliever what his standards are or pray against things pertaining to it.

However we can bring out right from wrong in the context of the gospel or help them if they want it. There needs to be a radical shift in thinking in regards to this. When it happens we will start seeing a lot of things we have longed for in the church including a marked increase in Holiness.

By DrErnie at 2008-04-18 07:10 | Theology | previous forum topic | next forum topic

"To point 1 finger at you, I point 3 back at myself"

I'm in strong agreement that we need less condemning of worldly standards and practices (S&P). It's hard to let go of the cultural dominance of our society, but we can still be cultural leaders through our own standards and practices displayed in our own lives and organizations. That's what God has given us the grace to govern at this point in history. And if our National Sin is getting darker, it can bring God more glory to show forth the excellence of His ways in contrast to the encompassing culture.

As I've observed Ed Silvoso's vision and practice of transformation, it's a replacement of worldly S&P with God's S&P. It's not initiated by condemning the worlds S&P. As Ed applies God's S&P to the domain that God has given him the grace to govern, his circle of influence radiates outward. Ed's been at it for years and years and now God is giving him favor to influence leaders of nations. Ed didn't do it by railing at anyone, He did it by praying for anyone (even national leaders).

I think we can pray against ungodly practices in our society, especially the spiritual strongholds which deny God. We're certainly instructed to pray for our governmental leaders and if God's ways are the best ways then praying for them to be manifest is certainly a blessing.

--
Your new birth comes from God's living Word. Just think: a life conceived by God himself! - The Message (1Pet1:23b)

By Jor Bratko at Tue, 2008-08-05 10:36 | login or register to post comments

Amen!

Well said, Jor. As someone else put it, it is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness. We need to always keep our focus on God's glory amidst the corruption of this world.
-- Ernie P.
"If we are out of our minds, it is for Christ" -- II Cor 5:13

By DrErnie at Tue, 2008-08-05 10:40 | login or register to post comments

But is this one of the "main issues" of the church today?

I'm not sure I agree that this is a "main issue" though. It might be a highly visible, politicized issue, but I don't think its really affecting most churches, or churchgoers significantly enough. I'd put "indifference" way higher on the scale along with "materialism", "friendship with the world", and "unbelief". But that's just my opinion.

--
Your new birth comes from God's living Word. Just think: a life conceived by God himself! - The Message (1Pet1:23b)

By Jor Bratko at Tue, 2008-08-05 13:38 | login or register to post comments

The "main issue"?

I think my cousin's point is that the churches understanding of sin is (all too often) what they outside the church are doing wrong, as opposed to what we righteous Pharisees in the church are doing wrong. For revival to come, we need to invert that.

This also meshes with what I think John Isaacs once described as the "religious spirit" that dominates the Church in America, and is our real national curse...

-- Ernie P.
"If we are out of our minds, it is for Christ" -- II Cor 5:13

By DrErnie at Tue, 2008-08-05 13:49 | login or register to post comments