All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. - 2 Timothy 3:16
Thursday, January 5, 2017
Gospelization, Not Globalization - Philippians 3:20
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ . . . . - Philippians 3:20.
2017, the call for “globalization” has never been stronger. From ideas like multi-national corporations and cosmopolitanism, to global interdependence and consciousness, to integration and inclusion, to multiculturalism and universalism, we are awash in the erroneous notion that the entire world will somehow, strictly by human intervention (enforcement of international law or WAR), come together in a grand exposition of brotherly love. It is the ultimate 1971 “Coke” commercial - “I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing.” How quaint.
But exactly how detrimental is such an idea to the Christian life? Consider this: if just one single man is sinful, the exponential for sinfulness would become immeasurable if there ever became a mankind united outside of God’s purview (think Tower of Babel - Genesis 11)! And to my knowledge there is no talk or consideration of the one true God within the conversations of globalization. Economics? Yes. Population control? Yes. Free trade zones? Yes. But God? No, there is no talk of God. The darkness of globalization is it’s most preeminent mark.
And doesn’t God tell us to refrain from friendship with the world? “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” - James 4:4.
True Christians certainly pray for peace toward all men, but through Christ, and through Christ alone, and certainly never through the vain imagination of men! “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” - Colossians 2:8. If history has taught us anything it is that mankind cannot be trusted!
The simple issue of shared common flesh in the world is not an indication of God’s will! “For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.” - 1 John 2:16. However, there is certainly the Scriptural truth that all men need to come to faith in Jesus Christ. “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” - Philippians 2:9-11. Man is never to put his faith in man. This is the essence of the Gospel - faith in Jesus Christ!
Yes, there is a common place for mankind to come together in unity and brotherly love but it is not under the auspices of a United Nations proclamation, nor is it under a global decree. It is under the command of God Almighty, Himself - “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” - Romans 10:3-4. We need not be a global community; we need to be a Godly community! We must put away the specious notions of a unified mankind outside the love of Jesus Christ, for such a thing will never occur. “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.” - Matthew 24:6-7.
Mankind’s efforts will never circumvent God’s will. Let us continue to spread the word of God to all nations and pray resistance to the tide of secular globalization!
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