About Jesus - Steve (Stephen) Sweetman

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Who Needs More Prayer?  

 

As western-world Christians we often pray for the nation in which we live.  We pray that it will return to the Christian nation we think it once was, but can a nation be considered Christian?  Your answer may depend on how you define Christian nation.  It's my belief that the Bible portrays all nations, past, present and future as being Babylonian in nature, and thus, are never Christian.  They all, including your nation, oppose God to one degree or another, and they will until they all fall in God's judgement (Revelation 17 and 18). 

 

We must know that the cross of Christ did not provide salvation for a nation, but for people in a nation.  As the church, then, we are responsible to preach the Biblical gospel to those in our nations.  If we don't, they won't hear the gospel that can save them (Romans 10:14 - 15).              

 

I am saddened when I hear our secular media view Evangelical Christianity as a social/political movement instead of the Jesus Movement it is to be.  This tells me that we are devaluing the Biblical gospel by turning it into a social/political gospel.  Jesus said that we are known by our fruit (Matthew 7:16 and 20).  If we preach a social/political gospel, then our secular media is correct in viewing us as a social/political movement.          

 

The Bible clearly states that no law or legislative decree, including the Law of Moses, can save anyone.  So, by becoming a social/political movement we are replacing the power of the gospel that saves (Romans 1:16) with law and legislation that saves no one. 

 

1 Timothy 2:1 and 2 tell us to pray for our leaders, but look at the reason why we should pray.

 

"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."

 

We pray for our leaders so we can live in peace as we preach the Biblical gospel that can save those in our nations.  Paul said nothing about our prayers saving a nation.  Concerning such prayers, I hear some Canadian Christians hatefully condemning Prime Minister Trudeau, and then they pray for him.  Those prayers are hypocritical and insincere.  One local Christian group actually wishes that someone would assassinate him.  Is that how Canada becomes Christian?  Have we forgotten that we are to submit to our leaders (Romans 13:1 through 7)?            

 

So who needs more prayer?  I believe our western-world wayward church needs more prayer before Jesus removes its light, His Spirit, something He can do (Revelation 2:5).  Then you can pray for your nation so you can freely preach Jesus to its lost population.      

 

Post Script

 

Most reading this article live in a democratic nation, so exercise your civil liberties.  Have your say.  Promote your cause, but never at the expense of the Biblical gospel you are commanded to both live and proclaim.  

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