We hear the term “Evangelical” used daily in news broadcasts about the Primary elections. Here are some of those headlines:
• Republicans Hope to Find ‘Missing’ Evangelical Voters
• Whom Do Evangelical Insiders Favor in 2016?
• How Evangelicals Will Influence Tennessee’s GOP Primary
• Evangelicals Split Going Into SC Primary
Throughout this political process, I have had the feeling that the writers of these types of articles have misused the term “Evangelical.” Let’s see the definition of Evangelical from Gotquestions.org:
Question: “What is an Evangelical Christian?”
Answer: To begin, let’s break down the two words. The term Christian essentially means “follower of Christ.” Christian is the term given to followers of Jesus Christ in the first century A.D. (Acts 11:26). The term evangelical comes from the Greek word that means “good news.” Evangelism is sharing the good news of the salvation that is available through Jesus Christ. An evangelical, then, is a person dedicated to promoting the good news about Jesus Christ. Combined, the description “evangelical Christian” is intended to indicate a believer in Jesus Christ who is faithful in sharing and promoting the good news.
In Western culture today, there are many caricatures of evangelical Christians. For some, the term evangelical Christian is equivalent to “right-wing, fundamentalist Republican.” For others, “evangelical Christian” is a title used to differentiate an individual from a Catholic Christian or an Orthodox Christian. Others use the term to indicate adherence to the fundamental doctrines of Christianity. In this sense, an evangelical Christian is a believer who holds to the inspiration, inerrancy, and authority of Scripture, the Trinity, the deity of Christ, and salvation by grace through faith alone. However, none of these definitions are inherent in the description “evangelical Christian.”
In reality, all Christians should be evangelical Christians. The Bible is consistently instructing us to be witnesses of the good news (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 16:1-4; 1 Peter 3:15). There is no better news than Jesus! There is no higher calling than evangelist. There is no doubt that holding to the fundamentals of the Bible will result in a certain worldview and, yes, political belief. However, there is nothing about being an evangelical that demands a certain political party or affiliation. An evangelical Christian is called to share the good news, to preach God’s Word, and to set an example of purity and integrity. If these callings require political action, so be it. At the same time, evangelical Christians should not be sidetracked into abandoning our highest calling—sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.– source
It seems clear that many secular news sources, and even “Christian” sources (at times) insist on defining the Evangelicals as “Right Wing Republicans.” I believe that certain events in current American history have created this misnomer for those who truly follow Christ and share the Good News of His Gospel.
Abortion
In 1973, a decision by the SCOTUS on the case of Roe Vs. Wade polarized the nation in a way that would forever change the way people voted. When I use the term “Christian” in the rest of this piece, I will be referring to true Christians. What I mean by this is to be a true Christian, one must have had a life changing, born again experience with Jesus Christ. A true Christian realizes that they are a sinner, desperately in need of a Savior – Jesus Christ. A true Christian trusts the finished work of Christ on the Cross for the forgiveness of their sins. A true Christian knows that the reason they are still on this earth is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others so that they might be saved.
Christians inherently know that abortion is morally wrong. It is taking a life – the murder of a child. When the Holy Spirit indwells a Christian, He will impart truth to them, and will confirm these truths by the Word of God.
Gay marriage
Again, the SCOTUS made a decision which changed the definition of marriage. Their proclamation was that marriage was redefined as a union between any two persons – not just a man and a woman. GOD defined marriage in the first place! These people dare to change this definition in the face of God Himself!
Being born-again changes the way one thinks
Christians follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. They love what He loves, and they abhor that which He hates. I have met people who call themselves Christians, who care not about abortion or gay marriage. When I have discussed these things with them, they typically call abortion and gay marriage “Issues that we should just get over.”
Israel
Christians should love Israel and always be in prayer for her. I have met so-called Christians who hate Israel, and want God’s land to be wiped off the face of the earth. These people were not born again by the Holy Spirit. They are CINO’s – Christian in name only.
Our Constitution
The framers of our Constitution looked to God for His guidance and blessings. Democrats want people to believe that our forefathers never spoke of God. This is totally false and demonically inspired.
Democrats see the Constitution as a “living” document which should be changed and updated as time goes on. They call it “outdated.” The writers of the Constitution meant what they wrote, and wrote what they meant. Our Republic was founded upon those words, and were never meant to be changed or deleted.
If the Democrats had their way, they would tear up the Constitution and replace it with a progressive (Socialist) document. If that were to happen, we would never see God’s name mentioned anywhere in it.
Socialism/Communism
In the Socialist state – which invariably becomes a Communist state – belief in God and following Him is in direct opposition to the government. The leaders of the government want to “be” god. Allegiance to God will not be tolerated. This is why Christians will be jailed and many killed if America becomes a true Communist nation. If you are a student of history, you know this is true.
Jesus will say “I never knew you.”
Are YOU a true Christian? If Christians are going to be jailed or worse, would the government have enough evidence against you to convict you? That’s a hard question, but it may just wake up many people who think that they are heaven bound, but truly are lost in their sins.
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:21-23)
MARANATHA