Dear Christian, what will you do?
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Dear Christian, what will you do?
By: Pastor David Grove
John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, said in his inaugural address on January 20, 1961:
“My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.”
This statement will forever stand as one of the most inspiring calls to action from an American leader. This is not a political article—far from it. Instead, this is a call to action to a group that goes even deeper than being an American.
This is a call to my fellow Christian brothers and sisters and to ask, “What will you do?”
My fellow Christians,
“Ask not what God can do for you—ask what you can do for God.”
Why say this? Because not only has the world changed since 1961, but the church has also. Cultural shifts inevitably influence the church, and over the past six decades we’ve witnessed tremendous and treacherous changes within the church body. Let’s look at some of these changes and how it has impacted Christianity as a whole.
Changes in Our Nation Since 1961:
Our country has experienced:
1. The assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., and Robert F. Kennedy.
2. Assassination attempts on President Reagan and President Trump.
3. Ongoing wars, some necessary and some unnecessary.
4. Civil unrest and rioting in our streets.
5. Growing distrust in government.
6. Economic collapse and acts of terrorism that destroyed buildings and lives.
7. Increasing influence of non-religious movements eroding moral and ethical foundations and beliefs.
Please note, these forces are no longer merely attempting to reshape our society; they are succeeding in many ways. But it’s not too late, Yet!!
Changes Within the Church Since 1961:
The church has also faced serious challenges:
1. The moral downfall of individual Christian leaders and denominational leaders.
2. Endless debates over Bible translations and music styles.
News flash: There were no denominations, translations, organs, or pianos in Scripture, only hearts devoted to worshipping the One True God.
3. Scandals within Evangelical churches as well as the Roman Catholic Church.
4. Individuals claiming Christianity while changing Scripture to match cultural trends—leading many away from Biblical truth and impacting the person negatively for eternity in the process.
5. Distrust within denominations due to financial fraud, moral failure, and false teaching.
6. Signs of decline within the church body:
• Too many opinions, too little involvement. Tradition has become religion.
• Divorce rates in Christian homes (30%) are close to secular rates (36%).
• Average Christian giving is about 2.5% rather than the Biblical tithe of 10%.
• Roughly 31% of Christians read the Bible daily.
• Roughly 37% pray daily.
• Many view the “falling away” as inevitable prophecy rather than a call to action.
These are only a few of the areas that have been affected within our churches. Friends, this should awaken all of us as Christians to take action and put the “Great Commission” from Jesus into overdrive.
We are witnessing spiritual complacency and laziness, and the enemy loves it. This is not written to condemn Christians, but to awaken us. Scripture teaches us that God’s Word both convicts and sets us free (John 16:8; 2 Timothy 3:16–17). Believe it or not, conviction is a good thing and it’s healthy.
7. Some churches have grown silent on Biblical truth while becoming overly involved in party politics. They are concerned about making a splash on their social media platforms by backing and bashing one candidate over another.
Let me speak to the Pastors for a moment, Pastors, you should speak to the issues of the day through the lens of Scripture—but avoid partisan politics. The pulpit is for Biblical Preaching and Teaching ONLY. It is the place that God’s truth is brought forth to touch, impact and change the lives of those who are listening. It’s not the place for political platforms.
So How Do We
Respond?
We stand firm on God’s Word.
We refuse to compromise with shifting cultural trends, no matter who leaves.
We keep building God’s Kingdom by Teaching, Believing and Living out the Truth that sets us Free.
One other area that has caused much problem within the Christian church today is, “family run” churches. These are people who have too much money and too much power. If you are attending a church like this, stand up and speak out. The church does not belong to one person or one family, the church is us, the body of Christ and we belong to Him and Him alone. If you don’t believe me how this impacts the church today, look at most “family run” churches, they are almost empty and their doors may be closing soon. Please don’t set idly by saying nothing, you can make a difference. If your church leaders won’t listen to these concerns and they continue to allow “the family” to run everything, then find a church that is about serving God and not man.
It’s time to move beyond asking what others—and even God—can do for us.
It’s time to ask what we can do for God and then act upon it.
So, Dear Christian, “What Will You Do?”
Our churches can thrive again if we return to God’s ways and remember to keep: JESUS FIRST in All Things.
With JOY in JESUS,
Pastor David