     Ephesians 6:12-13(12) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (13) Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ephesians 6:18-20(18) praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints' (19) and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, (20) for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. One can search the New Testament and find no calls from Jesus or the apostles to get involved in government to affect change in society. In fact, they tell us that Satan is the ruler of this world and that we should come out of the world (Revelation 18:4), not love it (I John 2:15) or even be friends with it (James 4:4)! Jesus charges the apostles to preach the good news of the coming Kingdom of God: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). He also says "that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations" (Luke 24:47), but makes no mention of a great crusade to change society. The "church" tried that in the fourth century, hooking its wagon to the Roman Empire under Constantine, and notice what happened: Once it became part of the government, it became the worst abuser of people, law, and morality throughout the Dark and Middle Ages! During the time of the Reformation, Protestants came to power in many European countries—and promptly followed the Catholic example of abuse and persecution of "heretics" and "nonconformists." Would today's "moral majority" fare any better? No, the focus of the gospel is personal and individual, not societal or national. Even in the apostles' day, mass conversions were rare and worthy of note (Acts 2:41; 4:4). Certainly, none will occur in these times because of government edict or political action. Each person must hear the words of salvation, respond, repent, and live righteously. Real societal change begins with the individual and expands to his family, his friends and neighbors, and beyond as the result of the witness of godly living (Acts 1:8; I Peter 2:12; Isaiah 43:10). Besides, the time of the end is characterized by its immorality and rejection of God (II Timothy 3:1-5, 13; Matthew 24:4-13; Revelation 9:20-21; etc.). Though we cannot throw up our hands in defeat, our efforts to turn society back to Christian morality appear doomed to fail. It will take "a strong hand from someplace" to strike this present evil world with a rod of iron and enforce righteousness and peace on stubborn and rebellious mankind (Isaiah 11:1-5; 63:1-6; 66:15-16; Daniel 2:44; Joel 2:1-10; 3:9-17; Zephaniah 1:14-18; Zechariah 14:3, 12; Revelation 19; etc.). — Richard T. Ritenbaugh |
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