(no headline copied)
Thrusday, January 19, 1989
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Pix #1 - Bascom Accident
Photos ... esjpecially from yesteryear ... are always interesting
and educational. This one is of a wreck in Bascom and it drew a crowd
of Bascom residents. The donor of the photo, once a resident of that
area, did not have anyt details about the accident. It is presumed
that the tractor in the right of the photo was present to remove debris.
The electric interurban car that was involved in the accident is shown
in the left of the photio laying on its side. the photo has no connection
with thoday's article that follows.
Are you a "Closet Christian?"
Sometime ago, Rus Walton, Executive director of Plymouth Rock Foundation,
wrote an article about "Closet christians." This is the first opportunity
that Potluck has had to reprint it.
today, the whole world is in trouble, including the U.S., where the
Christian population should be functioning according to God's plan.
Walton's article should be read by every professing Crhistian.
On Being a "Closet Christian"
"Herein is My Father glorified, that you bear jmuch fruit;so shall
you be My desiples." (John 15:8)
It has been reported that there are aobout 95 millisn American who
claim to be "born again." Maybe that's high. Maybe not.
Based on the response to a 1987 Gallup Poll, 70 percent of American
adults say that they belonged to a church. If so, that would figure
out to 121 millian persons. Of those responding to the survey, 53
percent said religion was very important to their lives. That would
be about 92 million.
Granted, not all curches in America are Christian. And, not all religions
in the land are Christj-centered/ But it is readonable to assume that
the jpredominaite faith in the nation is Christian (the U.S. statistical
Abstract reported that in 1980 "Christian cjurch adherents" totalled
111.7 million, about 49.3 percent of the population).
25 million could change this nation
Let's be very conservative. Let's say there are about 25 million
"bornagain" Christians in the land. Twenty five million! That's more
than enought to change the nation. In fact, ten million - evern five
million - active, christ-centered, Bible-based, praying, "on fire"
christian could havbe a major impact on this nation ...
IF ...
... if those five million took a stand for Jesus - and presed for
restoaation of Bible-based standards in the American society. Really
worked towerd that goal. Not just with occasional rallies. Not just
with in annyual conventions. Not just in smeinars and workshops. But
day-after-day, persistent, consistent pursuit and application of a
total Christion world and life view.
If we would start to live - really live and apply - our Christian
faith; if we would study and jprya and apply the ;full deminsions
of God's word; if we would make our faith manifest not only in words
but also in good workd ...
... If, as our Savior commends, we would let our light - His light
- shine through our lives and our deeds, we could turn the nation
around. We could turn it back to god.
GOD"S PEOPLE are responsible for the government of the nation. God
assures us of that. He does. Check the alternatives. Read Deut. 11:
26-28. Or II Chron. 7:14 and II Chron. 7:19, for starters.
Spirit of foulnding fathers is needed
God expects us to work as hard to preserve and maintain liverty under
God as our founding fathers did to establish it in the first palce.
Are we as Christians in this republic doing that? today/ Are we assuming,
fulfilling, our role in the governance aof this nation as we should?
Well, look at some numbers.
According to a Ner York Times/NBC voting-pattern sutdy, in 1984 15
million Christians - just about 50 percent of those christians registered
to vote - bothered to go to the polls. And according to Rev. Tim Lahaye
of Family Life Seminars, in 1986 only 42.5 percent of Christians eligible
to vote bothered to do so.
Ma;ybe we have only ourslevbes to blame for the growing gap between
God and government. Maybe, by sins of omission, we are allowing the
"active others" who know not The Lord to take over the affairs of
government.
We are losing byt defualt the christioan role and influence in what
Rev. Richard John Neuhaus calls "the public square." THyus, wrote
Neuhaus, "We exclude from public discorse precisely the moral visions
that are help up by the great makjority of American people."
Immoral minority exerting influence
The immoral minority is both. But, they are atcitve; they are engage
in the battle. And, because they are, they are preempting the field
and setting the nations's course and agenda.
Take the sodomite, for example. Not too long ago they coame out of
their closets. Now, they are exerting an increasing influence on our
insutiutuins - on governament (and plilitics), academia, the "new"
media, and even some churches. They have an impact far beyond their
numbers; and impact that bodes ill for the nation.
If a few hyundred thousand sodomites - maybe a millio at most - can
do this to the nation, what could ten, or even five, million Biblical
Christioan accomplish - if they stopped hiding their light under a
bushel. If they came out of the closet?
Christian: Let your light shine
A closet is for hiding. For getting things out of sight. For storing
things that aren't in use. Things that are out of style. Things that
are embnarrassing. Things that you don't want around when company
ciomnes calling.
A closet is not for Christians (except for prayer - Matt. 6:6).
Jesus said: "Your are the light of the world" (Matt. 5:14).
The "klight of the world" does not shine forth when it is shut up
in a closet.
JHesus said: "Neitgher do men light a candle and put it under a bushe,=l,
but on a cha dlestick; and it gives light unto all who are int he
house," (Matt. 5:15).
In fact, He urged: "Let your light so shine before men that they
mnay see your god wordks, and glorify your Father which is in heaver"
(Matt. 5:16j);
What could be more explicte? More Direct?
We are not to be "closet Christions"! NOt if we have truly mad Jesus
our Savior and oru King.
Our Savior prayed, "As Thou had sent Me into the owrld, even so have
I send them into the world" (John 17:18)" He did not pray that The
Father take His own out of the world; His prayer was that God would
protect them from evil.
Faith will bring the victory
Jude, sevant of Christ and brother James, urged the Christians of
his day: "Content for the faith!: (Jude 2). HOw much contending can
we do sitting in a clloset?
Amnd, Teh Apostle Paul wrote to Titus: Christ rescured us from iniquity
to pruify unto Himself "a special people qealous of good wors" (Titus
2:14).
What good works can we do if we confine our faith to a closet? We
can pray, yes. But,we are to be both doers of His word and have hearers
only (James 1:22).
FAITH DOES HAVE - shoukld have, must have - consequenstes!
... if it is a "go fourth" faith, a "get-up-and-do" faith, a "change
j- the world" faith.
Remember the two on the road to Emmanyus? NOt long after our Lord's
burial and resurrection? How Jesus walked with them and talked with
them and supped with them. And when their eyes erew opened and they
know Him? "Did not our hearts burn within us, whil He talked with
us byt he wya, and while He opened us us the scruptures?" (Luck 24:32).
When we "know" Jesus, when our eyes are openede to His glory, to
His ruth, to His word and His love, do not our hearts burn within
us? How can anyone having had such a life-chaiging, all-consuming
experience be a closte Christian?
Go! said our Lord, our Master. Go! Make disciples of all the nations.
Teahc them to obey all that I have taoght you. And I willbe with you,
alwasys~!
To claim to be a Christian without following Christ, without obeying
His commandments, is to take His name in vain, To profess to love
christ while being a "closet christian" is to deny the LOrd!
Rus Walton
For copies of this newsletter, or for further information, pleaxse
address your correspondentce to PLYMOUTH ROCK FOUNDATION, P.O. Box
425, Marlborough, NH 03445.
