Buzzard Christianity

If you put a buzzard in a pen with dimensions not exceeding 8 feet on either side and entirely open at the top, the bird will remain a prisoner in spite of its ability to fly. The reason is that a buzzard always begins its flight with a run of 10 to 12 feet. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but stay a captive for life in a small enclosure with no top.

Some Christians act like captured buzzards, feeding off the past and refusing to fly into the great unknown for the sake of Christ. The future to them seems aboding, for the culture they now live in is strange and indifferent to their values. They prefer their cage, which represents safety and familiarity. But Christians are called to take the gospel to their culture, not keep it a prisoner with them!

Christian, you were made to soar like an eagle, not live like a buzzard! Stretch out your wings and catch the current of the Spirit. Go and make disciples in the culture you dislike, for who are you to fear, when He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

The Preacher

Taken from Heralds of God by James S. Stewart

"Redemptive work is always costly. There is no hope of ease for the faithful servant of the cross. It is involved in the very nature of his task that he can never be at the end of it. Not his to evade the burden and heat of the day: physical weariness, sickness of heart and bitter disappointment, the strain of the passion for souls, all the wear and tear of vicarious burden-bearing – these he will know in full measure. He may even find himself wondering sometimes why he ever accepted a commission in a warfare in which there is no discharge. He may have moods when a haunting sense of anticlimax overwhelms him. It is one thing to set out gallantly when the flags are waving and the drums summoning to a new crusade, but is it quite another thing to keep plodding on when the road is difficult and the initial impetus has spent its force and the trumpets of the dawn have ceased to blow. It is one thing to have inspirations; it is another to have tenacity. My little children, wrote Paul to the Galatians, of who I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you: a swift and startling turn of phrase giving a profoundly moving insight into the price of true Christian ambassadorship. For –It is by no breath,
Turn of eye, wave of hand, that salvation joins issue with death-

And if ever a man finds the work of the ministry becoming easily manageable and surmountable, an undemanding vocation without strain or any encumbering load of care, he is to be pitied, not congratulated: for he has so fragrantly lost touch with the One whose ministry of reconciliation could be accomplished and fulfilled only through Gethsemane and Calvary. Without shedding of blood there is no remission of sins. Unless something of the evangelist's life-blood goes into his quest for souls and into the word he brings them from the Lord, the quest remains fruitless and the word devoid of delivering power."

James Stuart Stewart (1896 - 1990) was a minister in the Church of Scotland and professor at the University of Edinburg. He grew up in Dundee and graduated from the University of St. Andrews in 1917. He served as Chaplain to the Queen in Scotland from 1952 to 1966. Author of many books, he was voted by Preaching Magazine in 1999 as the best preacher of the 20th century.

Election Blues

Some may feel that all hope for America is lost because the election results did not favor their candidate. Make no mistake—elections will not bring about the kingdom of God through political means. Jesus said to Pilot, “My kingdom is not of this world.” 

We will not “Christianize” America through political force. The state cannot and should not do that. The 200 year old hymn, “Lead On, O King Eternal says, “For not with swords loud clashing, nor roll of stirring drums; with deeds of love and mercy the heavenly kingdom comes.” The hope of the world (and America) is not political force, but the reign of Christ.

It is through our love and evangelism that we invite people into this realm. At the same time, we are called by God to seek and act for the welfare of the place where we live (Jeremiah 29:7). Let's represent the gospel by demonstrating the love of Christ to a desperate and dying world.

Christian Involvement in Politics

Romans 13:4 tells us that government authority exists for our good. But good must be defined by Scripture; otherwise it becomes subjective and will be determined by the majority will. If no one explains what God expects in governing, then government officials will have an excuse to legislate their own morality. Christians as citizens in the state within which God placed them must therefore be actively involved in politics for its own good. 1 Peter 2:14 further explains that government is to punish those who do evil and praise those who do good. Again the question of the definition of good arises. Unless magistrates receive counsel from the religious community, mayors, senators, or presidents will not understand God’s view of good and evil or right and wrong.

Throughout history God has involved His people in advising or warning secular rulers. Daniel told King Nebuchadnezzar, the most powerful ruler on earth at the time: “Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity” (Daniel 4:27 ESV). Joseph, as Egypt’s second-in-command, often advised Pharaoh. Moses confronted the Pharaoh and demanded freedom for the Israelites. Queen Esther influenced King Ahasuerus and her guardian, Mordecai, became counselor to him.

In the New Testament, John the Baptist confronted officials about morals, even scolding Herod the tetrarch “for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and all the evil things that Herod had done” (Luke 3:19). In Acts 24, Paul addresses the Roman governor Felix “about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment.” Paul held Felix accountable for his conduct as a public officeholder and wife stealer. It is clear that Paul captured the governor’s attention, for in verse 25, Felix was disturbed and sent Paul away.

            The “God is dead” movement of the 1960’s attempted to make God irrelevant to the culture. Once God is removed from civic life, the remaining two characters - the individual and the state – will be free to determine their own morality. In other words, without Christian involvement in politics, there will be no counterbalance to the government’s declaration of what is best for the people. And what will and has occurred is the redefining of moral conduct. What was the old immorality is now the new politically correct morality. Isaiah 5:20 says, “Woe to those who call good evil and evil good.”

The Christian religion has always been the basis for judging this nation’s beliefs and values. The founding fathers understood a moral government is based in the Judeo-Christian ethic. When values are debated in government, religion is at the core - whether it be Judeo-Christian or Secular Humanism. When the Christian religion is banished from the public sector, then the vacuum created will be filled by paganism and religious secularism.

            Christians are citizens of two kingdoms – the kingdom of God and the kingdom of the state or nation that God has placed them. They have a duty to be involved for the betterment of man and the preaching of the gospel. Ephesians 5:11 exhorts us not to participate in evil, but to expose it. How can evil be exposed if Christians run from involvement in the society in which they live? We are called to be in the world, but not of it; and being in it is to influence it for Christ. In America one of the influences we are given is the vote; and therefore we are to exercise it for righteousness sake.