We Aren't to Judge the World

     "...Paul says...but to mind our own business and ensure there is proper discipline in the church (1 Cor. 5:12-13). 

     "When faithfully executed, such instruction recovers a brother or sister. It upholds God's commands and tells an understandably suspicious world, 'We can police ourselves, thank you very much.' We fall into the sin of gossip when we seek to uphold Christian nationalism rather than the body of Christ.

     "Christians are called into union with Christ through the gospel. We are also called to citizenship in our temporary country. There is nothing wrong with Christians as citizens participating in non-religious and nonviolent protests or advocating for particular candidates and policies.

     "This must not be done in the name of Christ or his church. Ministers and churches must proclaim God's law and gospel to all people and nations, including rulers. However, they have no authority beyond God's Word. The church does not have a president or legislative body, but a King who has given them a specific commission:

     "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20). 

End of chapter 11

Recovering OUR SANITY

Professor Michael Horton