And yet the American Church, so desirous of being comfortable and popular, regularly neglects these obligations. Preachers refuse to address controversial topics. Laymen are loathe to share teachings of the Faith if it might offend political-correctness. And such overt public activism as picketing an abortion mill, testifying before a city council or state government meeting, or participating in a March for Life -- well, that kind of stuff is way beyond the pale for the "couch-comfortable" (or even "pew-comfortable") Christian.
Oh yes; Christians can do an awful lot of whining (to each other) about the world going to hell in a hand basket, but they can't be bothered to actually do anything about it.
Thankfully, not all Christians are that way. And I'm blessed and honored indeed to have many friends that do engage the culture in behalf of Christ's teachings of holiness, justice and mercy. These friends faithfully shine the light in many arenas: at home, in church, in their neighborhoods, in the workplace, at school, before government officials, and in principled, peaceful public testimonies.
And they do so as an integral part of their worship of Jesus Christ, in the same pursuit of His calling that bids them pray, give, evangelize, and teach.
And oh, by the way, these light-bearing Christians also write letters, make phone calls, and send e-mails too. Which leads me into the next post...
