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"Flee from Babylon! Run for your lives! Do not be destroyed because of her sins. It is time for the LORD's vengeance; he will pay her what she deserves." ~Jeremiah 51:6
Featured Monthly Article: November, 2008 |
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I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people-- not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler--not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. "Purge the evil person from among you." ~1 Corinthians 5:9-13 esv
Boycott the Christian Boycott With Christmas fast approaching, I felt this was an appropriate time to speak out against the increasingly popular and unbiblical “christian boycott” of secular retailers. While I do receive an occasional email during the year urging me to boycott fast food chains that donate to liberal causes, the appeals will inevitably increase with the holiday season beginning. So before boycotting Wal-Mart or protesting with a “keep Christ in Christmas” pin on your jacket this year, please take a moment to read what the word of God has to say on this subject.
…not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters… “Let Target know that you won’t tolerate their ‘anti-Christmas’ stance”… not so cry the words of the dear apostle. “Don’t eat at McDonalds until they commit to withdrawing support for gay and lesbian worker rights”… nonsense according to the living and powerful word of God. We would need to physically go out of the world to avoid doing business with secular companies that are defiled with all forms of sin. While we do have clear instruction to obey our own convictions in disputable matters, instructions on organizing the boycott of secular retailers are strangely missing from the pages of scripture.
But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler--not even to eat with such a one A recent poll* reveals that, statistically speaking, more then 50% of the people you share a pew with on Sunday morning regularly view pornography. According to the same source, there is close to a 40% chance that your pastor does too! How many more of the “clergy” and “laity” are involved in fornication, adulterous relationships, and countless other sexual sins? A quick look around on Sunday morning will also reveal a great number of openly greedy church members, as evident by the treasures they accumulate and show off. How many are idolaters also, worshipping a carved mental image of “jesus” that blesses them in their pursuit of the American dream, enjoyment of the pride of life, and love of unholy entertainment? “Don’t even eat with such a one” the Holy Spirit cries out through the apostle. Yet, we gather with them weekly to lift up hands of praise and take communion while turning a blind eye in order to protect our comfortable religious traditions. Because our pulpits (even in evangelical, Bible believing churches) are largely full of cowards, hirelings, false teachers, and pornography addicts who serve mammon or reputation over God, church discipline is not practiced and the pews are left full of goats. It’s no wonder, then, that we are so quick to divert attention away to secular stores!
For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. "Purge the evil person from among you." While the word of God commands us to sell our possessions and give the money to the poor, love our enemies, carry our cross of self-denial daily, keep our hearts from being polluted by the world, be active in sharing our faith, fast, and pray without ceasing, these practices are mostly foreign, even to dedicated church goers. Yet when Christmas roles around and we spot our first “Happy Holidays” sign in the strip mall, we are quick to rise up as a body and strike hands in protest against the poor heathen people who dare to “take Christ out of Christmas”. Professing Christian friends, do not bother asking unbelievers to “keep Christ in Christmas” if you haven’t bothered to keep Christ’s commandments the rest of the year. Would it really honor the Lord to make unbelievers act out the same empty form of godliness that the vast majority of church goers in America already do? In all soberness, I suggest that the Lord Jesus would rather be left out of Christmas here in the west than to have His Holy name associated with it. While a spiritually bankrupt “church” attempts to cover her nakedness with such ploys as boycotting secular retailers, I urge those who name the name of Christ to examine yourselves in light of the Lords call on His true disciples. Please consider these more Biblical forms of boycotting this Christmas season, and abandon the vanity of modern American Christianity. A solid place for all professing believers to start would be to boycott the rights to your life (Luke 14:27-33), your material possessions (Matthew 6:19-24), desires of your sinful flesh (Ephesians 5:1-10), and the American dream (1John 2:15-17). From there, I suggest boycotting your local Christian bookstore which peddles the prosperity “gospel”, emergent “church” heresy, and countless other forms of Jesus merchandise for a quick dollar (2 Peter 2:1-3). Other places that I suggest raising the banner of protest against include the majority of TV preachers, Christian movies, and Christian singers (Jude 1:3-4). For those seriously committed to the boycott, you could then take aim at your church gatherings that don’t preach the whole council of God, nor practice Biblical discipline, that look like a six flags over Jesus, and are structured more like Roman Catholicism then the New Testament body of Christ (2 Timothy 3:1-5). Judgment must begin at the house of God, and more so in our own hearts if we are to reach unbelievers with the power of God. To that end, I pray that the Lord blesses you with spiritual riches as you take the time to meditate on the scriptures referenced throughout this article. Speaking of riches, remember that Jesus is starving and is having a hard time staying warm this Christmas season (Matthew 25:31-46). Might I suggest buying Him a meal or coat (1 John 3:17-18) rather then buying a "keep Christ in Christmas" pin for your own coat this year. May the Holy Spirit lead you into all truth as you pick up your cross and follow after Christ.
In Him, Jim (www.fleebabylon.com) PS: If you are looking for a place where you can feed or clothe Jesus please check out Orphan's Tear or Gospel For Asia.
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