WARNING - WHAT IS 'MODERATE' AND WHAT IS 'RADICAL'?

by Glenice Mills

“We need to find a way of making it ‘us’, all moderates, against them, all radicals of all religions.” Australian Prime Minister, Mr. Malcolm Turnbull.

This would have to be the most serious statement a person has ever made that is a challenge to the Church right now and in particular the Church in Australia. This is our political leader speaking. For many of us who have known that there is a move to undermine the freedom of the church it is now been spoken and acknowledged. There are many dangers on a number of levels.

We can take this statement as addressing the Muslims and those who hold to their extremist views however there is much more behind it. We, the body of Christ need to ask ourselves some serious questions right now.

How is ‘radical religions’ defined? Is a Pentecostal, Charismatic church classed as a radical because it believes in Baptism of the Holy Spirit? Is an apostolic/prophetic church defined as a ‘radical’ because they speak out and address unrighteousness, injustices and ungodliness? Is a church that meets on a Sunday who is not threatening to what is deemed ‘politically correct’ defined as radical or is it what is called a ‘moderate’?

The Dictionary meaning of moderate is: avoiding extremes, one who holds moderate views, make less violent, intense, to becomes less vehement.

The Dictionary meaning of radical is: fundamental, far-reaching, holding extreme views, revolutionary, advocating radical reforms.

How do you define ‘a way of making it ‘us’? Is this saying we all need to agree by compromising, accepting the opinions of the loud minority, or ‘let’s all be friends no matter our religious, political, financial, social beliefs?’ If this is so, then we are heading down a road of increasing unrest, intolerances, prejudices, divisions and factions. It is the very opposite of ‘us’. It is the beginning of fascism, the mouths of the people shut up and the rising up of ungodly dictatorships.

Is there a political agenda here? Is there a push to silence the mouths of those who would make a stand for what is right and true? Undoubtedly!

The church is on the cusp of serious choices whether they choose to bow to what is politically correct by joining with and aligning ourselves with other religions to ‘keep the peace’ or are we going to stand out, stand apart, and not compromise, appease and agree with what we know is against God and His ways. Will we be the remnants who do not bow the knee to all that is idolatrous or will we be prepared to count the cost by being different with its associated persecutions, ostracism and isolation?

Does this mean that when we Christians speak out against social issues such as abortion, homosexuality, same sex marriage and euthanasia that we are deemed radicals and therefore we need to change so we become more ‘us’? What say some of say, “no, we won’t be quiet on these issues?” What happens to us? We will be viewed as the same as a murderous jihadi?

We are already seeing examples where church leaders have been challenged because of their stance of some of these issues. This is happening in America and we are not and will not be immune either if we are truly going to make a stand for what is right and true.

Church wake up!!! This is not the hour to stay comfortable, safe and secure in our little bubble of ‘false peace’. The greatest test is coming on the Church and it is happening now on our watch. What legacy do we want to leave our children and grandchildren? Let’s not fall for what appears to be right and open the door for deception. It’s time to be on the alert like never before!

THE DANGER OF TOKENISM

by Glenice Mills

We live in a world of slogans, sayings and catchy themes. Language is a subtle way the enemy can numb us to believe lies and say things that have no foundation on fact, truth or wisdom. We say things not realizing the power of the words we speak.

I want to address something that is being blithely spoken at this time, which is a part of our language, but is a very serious thing to speak.

Everywhere at the moment after the Paris bombings, leaders, Christians and peoples from all nations are saying, “My thoughts and prayers are with those in Paris”. Words are cheap. If we are truly honest we are probably thinking of other things and our prayers may be a quick ‘Help the people in Paris Lord’ and then we get on with our own thoughts and prayers for our own needs and wants.

Many who don’t know the Lord as Saviour still pray and that is the marvel of mankind that has this deep innate seed on the inside of all to reach out to God in prayer.

I am not being critical or judgmental because the truth is the Lord hears our prayers, He knows our hearts and I know He is grieved about what is happening in Paris and in the world. Rather I am challenging the heart intent behind the words we speak or more importantly what we don’t speak.

I fear tokenism is behind a lot of things and our religiousness will have us speak things that we have absolutely no intention of actually carrying out. I wonder how many people who have said the words ‘my thoughts and prayers are with Paris’ have actually sat down, sought the Lord for His heart for Paris, or whatever is on His heart in France or other nations that are also experience devastating things.

Tokenism means granting minimum concessions, making a token effort. I think we are all guilty of this in some measure, however we need to be very careful particularly as Christians when we give our word to someone that we carry it out. So perhaps we need to be more mindful of what we commit to saying and doing?

My question is: from what heart intent is these prayers for Paris being offered up? Emotion is powerful but the foundation of the emotion is critical. Sadly many are praying for Paris out of fear and anger. What ‘religion’ is the base from which these prayers are being said? What false foundation are these prayers based on? Man’s opinions? False peace? Do the people really care or they only doing ‘the right thing’ from pretense?

Many prayers are to a god, but not to Father God, through Jesus Christ our intercessor. Does God hear these prayers?

I have no doubt that many Christians are burdened with Paris and France right now and this is rightly so. Others have burdens for other nations, people or situations. The Lord reveals His heart to His people and we all have a responsibility to stand with, pray, love and support those who need us. Prayer is not just words it is actions. Prayer is a free will choice, not an obligation.

Let’s seek God for His perspective on some things. Yes He is a God of love, compassion and mercy, however let’s be on target and pray what He wants us individually to pray, not from wrong emotions, obligation or because it’s the right thing to do. Let’s not say, “I’ll pray for you” and go on our merry way with no intention of doing what we just said. Watch out for tokenism – it is subtly in our culture and speech. Let’s come back to what God says.

Let’s not forget this:

James 5:16
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The EFFECTIVE prayer of a righteous man avails much.