Activism
Posted by: forthright <forthright@...>
http://www.forthright.net
Going straight to the Cross
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Don't just sit in the tree -- do something!
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COLUMN: Understanding the Times
Activism
by Emmett Smith
A recent Associated Press article, titled
"Activist Camp Trains Civilly Disobedient," dealt
with the efforts of environmental activists to
further prevent logging in National Forests.
According to the article, the week-long camp was
intended to train participants in techniques of
civil disobedience (including "tree sitting")
designed to delay or stop the loggers.
I don't know if you've noticed, but being an
"activist" is considered a highly desirable
occupation among many in today's society. Just
think back on how many times you've had activism
presented in a favorable light in movies, books,
newspapers, etc. However, today's activists have
nothing on the apostles and the early church!
According to Acts 17:6, they were referred to as
"These that have turned the world upside down,"
and Thessalonica was in an uproar due to Paul's
presence there. Within their generation the gospel
was preached throughout the world! And their
activism changed the world, literally, for
millennia.
It's unfortunate that the present-day emphasis on
activism so rarely encompasses spreading the
gospel of Christ. We're always being informed
about so-called "gay" activists, "pro-choice"
activists, etc. It seems that almost any cause is
considered a noble motivation for activism ...
except Christianity. And the situation is coming
to a head on several fronts.
Unless you've been marooned on a desert island
this past week, you're aware of the Supreme
Court's recent rulings on a variety of issues.
Many activists have been encouraged by the
decision striking down Texas' anti-sodomy law and
the one upholding race-based admissions at the
University of Michigan. These are signs of our
times. However, these kinds of issues are not
unique to our times. The early church had to deal
with these kinds of things as well (1 Corinthians
6:9-11).
What we really need are Christian activists whose
priorities are in order. The handful of people
Jesus chose for His work almost 2000 years ago
were able to turn the world upside down. His
commission hasn't changed in all this time. The
world still needs the gospel as badly now as it
did then. What's your cause?
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