Keep the Main Thing, the Main Thing/Abortion

Political/ World Issues 

Recently a Maid Arise reader shared with me how she would like to see more on the Abortion issue.  She also lamented on the fact that there seems to be no Christian resources to glean from on this topic.  I wanted to share something that was written by guest writer Chris Hutto .  Also I would like to share some resources.  Plus if you are interested in other posts on the topic please see the Political/ World Issues  page of this blog!

Keep the Main thing, the Main thing

by Chris Hutto 

I would like to address the opposition we face from Christians for abortion abolition. Some don’t think it's the Christian's job while others just become offended anytime they hear a “thus saith the Lord.” There are many avenues from which other Christians attack the abolition standpoint but really I only want to focus on one of them.

Whenever you do something bold for God you will be criticized. Whenever you stand up for what is right you will be mocked. Whenever you choose which side of the fence to be on and stay on it someone is going to be offended. That's because people don’t like it when someone else rocks the boat. People find comfort in consistency and conformity. It's much safer to agree. It's much easier to passively stand by. But is this the Christian thing to do? 

Some Christians say that we shouldn’t judge people or that we all just need to get along. Some cry, “peace” when there is no peace. Christians were never meant to be silent in the face of evil. We are soldiers and ambassadors. The world craves ambiguity but as Christians we don’t need to fit in. We were never meant to keep our opinions to ourselves. We are taught in society to follow the masses and even those that have promoted individuality through things like media and clothing brands have become the newest fashions and trends. We have become robots in a society of illusions. Everyone claims that they want to be different but insist that no one challenge the world view that has been hand crafted for them by the god of this world.

"Whenever you stand up for what is right you will be mocked. Whenever you choose which side of the fence to be on and stay on it someone is going to be offended. That's because people don’t like it when someone else rocks the boat.”

As Christians we automatically don’t fit in. This isn’t a condemnation or something to be ashamed of. We willingly traded our conformity to the world for the transformation of Christ at the blood stained cross. We throw off the weighty expectations of the world everyday when we pick up our own cross that has also been stained with the blood, sweat and tears of our own ambitions, dreams and desires. We have been crucified with Him. He was crucified outside the camp, why do we deserve any different? We are salt and light. Salt is painful to the stinking wounds of sin. Light is blinding to the inky darkness of evil.

"As Christians we automatically don’t fit in. This isn’t a condemnation or something to be ashamed of. We willingly traded our conformity to the world for the transformation of Christ at the blood stained cross."

 

I said all that to say this --  No matter what you do for God in this world you will be reviled. It was God's plan. Always has been. And it's okay. Both sinner and saint will criticize and complain. Does it change the legitimacy of our cause? No. Should it hinder the work? No. If you stand up against sin the sinner will say you are too judgmental while the saint says you are self-righteous. If you boldly proclaim the truth the sinner will say you are hateful while the saint says you are full of pride. 

Since obeying the great commission and reaching the lost with the Gospel the most hurtful attacks I have experienced against the work have come from fellow Christians; fellow soldiers. It isn’t the homeless drunk that lashes out, he already knows he's a sinner, but the comfortable Christian sitting apathetically in the barracks. Its easy to lob grenades at your own guys while they are fighting the enemy because they have their backs to the comfort of the barracks. They are charging the gates of Hell.

"We have become professional takers.”

The work of abortion abolition is not for the weak. If you are looking for recruits to criticize the guys on the battlefield, you don’t have far to go. The churches are full of them. Not only does the Christian soldier have to deal with the frontal attack of the enemy but the back biting attack of his comrades. The pews have become the comfortable barracks of the Christian army. It has become the mess hall where you never have to leave, only to glut on the abundance of food. We aren’t fed week after week, month after month, year after year to grow fat and lazy. It is better to give than to receive. Our crosses are never for ourselves but for others. 

We have become professional takers. We have mastered the art of cross bearing just enough to hoard the benefits for ourselves. Sitting in church is what a ''good'' Christian is supposed to do. The bearing of our crosses and burdens look so spiritual. But what about giving? What about sharing the good news? What about boldly standing up for truth? Often all you get in return is a mocking stare, an unkind word, a whisper behind your back.

Those whispers become the very flames of discouragement and doubt that destroy the battle ready soldier of Jesus Christ. We are all guilty of this are we not? Gossip and backbiting have become one of those sins that Christians sweep under the rug by adding a bit of humor and a lot of quenching of the Holy Spirit. 

I'm writing this to address one of those sneaky darts that so often pierce the armor-less back of the fighting soldier. I’m writing this both to those that have been hurt by that dart and those that are throwing them, from the shadows of the barracks. There are many darts being thrown around carelessly, but I want to focus on just one of them. 

I call it the, “Keep the main thing the main thing” argument. Many Christians, once they get a preconceived idea about something, paint everything with the same brush. The best way to try and destroy someone’s viewpoint is to build a straw-man argument, paint it with their misinformed, preconceived notion about that argument and than knock it down with skewed logic. By misrepresenting someones position it makes it much easier to attack.

Many Christians, when confronted with the question whether or not they should be actively “delivering those being drawn to death” will say, “keep the main thing the main thing” or something similar. What they are saying is that we shouldn’t be focused on a side issue when we should be spreading the Gospel. It sounds good but it is a straw-man argument. 

In one sense they are right. No matter how many people we convince that abortion is wrong, if they aren’t saved, they will still go to Hell. But do we dismiss the subject in light of their salvation? I believe Christians with this mindset don’t really understand the very Gospel message they are championing as the “main thing.” I'm not saying they aren’t saved but that they missed a vital step in convincing men of sin and leading them to the cross. Does abortion abolition and salvation have to be separate? No. Actually they can't be apart. 

“Man must be convinced by the law that he is a sinner, that he is sick before he will willingly take the cure, Christ's blood atonement.” 

First of all, what is the Gospel message? The death, burial and resurrection of Christ. But how do we convince people that they need it? That is what often is missing. We shouldn’t go up to people and say, “Just turn to Jesus and He will save you.” They will say, “save me from what?” Man must be convinced by the law that he is a sinner, that he is sick before he will willingly take the cure, Christ's blood atonement. 

Was Paul not “keeping the main thing the main thing” when he boldly preached against superstition and idolatry on Mars Hill? If Paul were alive today his fellow comrades would have berated him for preaching against one thing. They would have said he had too narrow of a focus. Why wasn’t he preaching the Gospel and asking if they wanted Jesus to come into their hearts? Because he first had to destroy their false notion of innocence. First he had to convince them of their sin. He had to preach against the wickedness that was dear to their hearts. What is dear to the hearts of the American people? Might it be the idols of convenience and comfort? Maybe its the callousness toward life or the addiction to pleasure. How many babies have been murdered on the alters of these very things? Fifty-six million so far.

"The world doesn’t need anymore cute messages of universal peace and love.”

Humanity must be shaken to the core of its blind ignorance. The world doesn’t need anymore cute messages of universal peace and love. What the world needs is a broken heart. God resisteth the proud but giveth grace to the humble. Did Jesus fail to “keep the main thing the main thing” when He cleansed the Temple? Maybe He was wisely striking at the heart of greed and irreverence. There's no hope until the sickness is revealed and taken seriously.

If attempting to save the lives of innocent babies isn't enough for the dart throwing Christians at the very least I would hope they could see that the abortion issue is often the very means to salvation for a wounded soul. The law must be used before grace is applied but sometimes the conviction of lying and stealing and adultery isn’t enough. I’ve had people proudly proclaim that they were lying, stealing, blasphemous, fornicators at heart. Sometimes we need the indictment of murder to get them to see the light. 

Abortion strikes hard at the soul of humanity. How couldn't it? It is the legal slaughter of children by their own parents. Christianity isn't a spectator sport. Something must be done but if the majority of Christians are content with apathy I would implore them to stay out of the way and sit in the comfort of the barracks and gorge themselves on the meat of the Word. The pews are comfortable. The camp is friendly and inviting. Maybe then in the slumber of inaction and disobedience they will stop throwing darts and hindering the work of the Lord.

Please visit Chris' blog dedicated to abortion: voicesofdissidence.wordpress.com

Outside the Camp

Spiritual Lessons

Outside the Camp

I work part-time at a small country store and bakery called “Bushels”. It is a really nice place to work. Safe, conservative, and friendly. The Lord placed the job right before me, like an open door, and told me to walk through. (But that is another story altogether.) And while this store holds several blessings and little benefits about it, it also holds a very distinct religious atmosphere. It is a Mennonite store. The wide variety of co-workers and religious beliefs that are mixed into one small place is almost amusing to me. Several of the young girls I work with are either Mennonite, holding strict outward standards but with little depth to mention, or girls which claim to be “Christians”, but honestly, don't look or act much like a Christian at all. If I hadn't asked what they “believe”, I would have never guessed. And then, there's me. Somewhere in the middle of it all.

Several weeks ago, I had a very interesting occurrence. A conversation with one of the girls I work with. She has been a fairly new addition to the store help, but also, a nice addition. And while we were chatting away one day about life and such, she asked me, “So, are you going on the camping trip this weekend?” I just starred at her, with a rather confused look. “What camping trip?” And her hesitant ,“Oh”, for a response, wasn't exactly reassuring. All the young girls from work had planned a camping trip together that weekend. I obviously wasn't invited. In fact, the week before, my boss had made sure to let me know he would be needing me to work that following Monday, because the girls were asking for the day off. He failed to mention why. I must admit, I did feel a little bit like “the unpopular school girl who wasn't invited to the birthday party”. But honestly, I didn't really care that much. Sure, I might have considered going for a little while or something, but it wasn't anything worth crying over. Later, when my work shift was over, I began to think about it all over again. I mean, it was a little odd, that I was the only one not included. Even one of the girls, which I just mentioned before, who was relatively new and married (all the other girls are single) was invited to go! Why not me? Was I really that different? And I would also like to mention right here, that the girls I work with, are very nice to me. At least, to my face they are. I wouldn't want to give the wrong impression. All of us generally like working together. So, I do not believe this was so much a matter or personal dislike, but rather, of spiritual indifference. So I asked myself, what would “worldly Christians” and “Mennonites” have in common that I do not? You'd think I'd fit somewhere right between the two, but I don't. In many ways, I am actually much more conservative than the Mennonites, even though I don't wear a head covering or claim to be one. No, instead, I claim to be a Christian, though I am totally different from the girls that also claim to be “Christians” there. And so, I don't think they really know quite what to do with me, or where I fit. Maybe I make them feel uncomfortable? and would therefore ruin their fun little vacation? Or possibly that the things they would enjoy doing would contradict with where I stand? Whatever the reason, I realized for one of the first times in my life, what it really is to be different from others around you, even so called “Christians” or “friends”. To be willing to stand “outside the camp”. And to stand alone. Someone had once told me, that to follow Christ is lonely. I hadn't completely understood exactly what he meant by that, until then.

A few days later, the Lord met with me about this very subject in my devotions. I was reading Hebrews 13 at the time, and this is what I read:

“Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.” (Hebrews 13:12-14)

I looked down again at the words before me, “Without the camp”. I set my Bible down on my lap and just started to laugh out loud. Literally, “without the camp”. He was laughing with me. Christ suffered without the gate. He suffered alone. He was willing to be rejected, despised, to be misunderstood. And because of this, He knew exactly how I felt. He'd been there Himself.

In a very small way, He had given me the opportunity to bear His reproach. And again, I mention that it was in a “small” way, because it was. Others bear so much more. But I was thankful for it. Thankful to be outside the camp.

“Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:” (I Peter 4:4)

I hope you know, that I am by no means encouraging employee rivalry. To be excluded socially isn't “spiritual”. Being liked by other employees, doesn't automatically mean you're “worldly” either. But, I do want to say, that the people who are comfortable being around or with you, does say something about you. What is your conversation like with them? Do you just agree with their standards? Or neglect to state your own? Is there anything different, anything deeper, anything real that they may see? Or do you simply fit right in?

“Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.” (Luke 6:22)

Christ went far enough to tell us how that we are blessed when we are separated from their company. That “Blessed are ye” when we are reproached for His name's sake. When we are hated, for the cause of Christ. As Christians, we should actually expect this.

“Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.” (I John 3:13)

As the World hated the witness of Christ Jesus, so the world will hate us. And just as they persecuted Christ, so are we persecuted for following Him.

“I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” (John 17:14)

“ But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: And be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.” (I Peter 3:14-17)

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings: that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” (I Peter 4:12-14)

He tells us, “Happy are ye” and “Blessed are ye”. And Why are we so blessed? Why are we so happy? Firstly, because it is His will for us.

“Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.” (I Peter 4:1-2)

Truly, suffering is not fun. Being rejected isn't exactly joyous either. Especially for those of us who “like to fit in”. It can be hard to stand alone. But He does give the ability to. He has already gone before us, making a way. Hebrews 2:18 and 4:14-16 says how we have a Father who feels our infirmities. Once being tempted as we are, yet without sin. Because He suffered alone, so can I. Because He gave up all,”despising the shame”, so can I. Because He chose to bear my reproach, by His grace, I can bear His. He gives the grace and He promises to keep us.

“Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.”    (I Peter 4:19)

Because He is faithful to me, I can be faithful to Him. We are also “happy” and “blessed” in this, because it brings Him glory.

“Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” (I Peter 4:16)

Christ is worthy. And if we, Christian, are not willing to stand, who is? “Without the camp”. Are you willing? Even in the little things, the small areas of our lives? In the workplace or our own social outlets? Even in our homes? In relationships? Must Jesus bear the cross alone? Or will we also take up our cross,”despising the shame”, for the joy that is before us?

“Must Jesus bear the cross alone and all the world go free?

No, there's a cross for everyone, and there's a cross for me.

The consecrated cross I'll bear till death shall set me free,

And then go home my crown to wear, for there's a crown for me.

Upon the crystal pavement, down at Jesus' pierced feet,

Joyful I'll cast my golden crown and His dear name repeat.

O precious cross! O glorious crown! O resurrection day!

Ye angels, from the stars come down and bear my soul away.”

(Written by George N. Allen and Thomas Shepherd and others)

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)