NWO RELIGION - List

WILLOW CREEK WANTS A 'JUST' CHRISTMAS?

By          Paul Proctor
         December 23, 2009
         NewsWithViews.com

In a recent article, The Christian Post reported:

“Willow Creek Community Church

is asking Christ followers to make some new Christmas traditions          this year.”

Beyond            gift exchanges, family portraits and Christmas carols, the South Barrington,            Ill., megachurch proposes serving the impoverished, visiting the lonely,            and caring for the stranger to make it

a more "just" Christmas.

"Just            Christmas" is the title of the prominent church's latest sermon            series.

The more than 22,000 attendees are being asked to look at their            city and see how things can be made right so the love of Christ shines            through.

“Just” is a curious word to associate with Christmas.

After all, making things          “right” in the world implies that a wrong was committed;

but          as I understand the scriptures and the fall of man, it is God that was          wronged, not you, me, the “impoverished,” the “lonely”          or the “stranger.”

So, why then is Willow Creek calling for a “just” Christmas?

Why not a generous Christmas or a compassionate Christmas?

Serving          others is certainly appropriate for the followers of Jesus Christ, but          since many non-Christians are involved in similar efforts around the world,          it is clear to me that one does not have to be a “Christ follower”          to help with the physical and emotional needs of others.

The Bible does,          however, teach that we are justified by faith; and without faith, it is          impossible to please God, even with our good works.

That          said, is it the church’s calling and duty to make things “right”          in this world?

Is that why Jesus came and died on a cross: to make the          world a more “just” place through our good works;

or is Willow Creek Community Church merely using Christianity to promote          social justice?

To many liberals, that’s what Christianity is: religious socialism.

And, sometimes truths are used to frame lies behind a façade          of faith where the social gospel is preached.

You see, the word “just,” is not a synonym for “charity.”

And, all the volunteerism Willow Creek can muster among its members at          Christmastime is not going make things “right” or “just”          in a sinful world.

“But          we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy          rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind,          have taken us away.” – Isaiah 64:6

Christian          charity denotes the exercise of loving compassion and a self-sacrificing          generosity toward others, especially those in need.

It is intended to          mirror and teach the unmerited love and grace God has shown for the needy          sinner in His Son Jesus Christ, through His suffering and sacrificial          death on the cross.

“But          God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners,          Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

But,          calling our Christian service to others “just” suggests that          the “impoverished,” the “lonely” and the “stranger”          are in need because they have been wronged and should therefore be helped          because they deserve it.

This          subtly twists Christian charity into social engineering, which fits in          perfectly with the transformational Marxist agenda of global governance,          a global economy and a one-world religion –

now more blatant than          when this columnist first began writing about it 10 years ago.

Sinners          are not entitled to God’s love and blessing in their lives. It is          death that we deserve for our sin.

The justice of God toward rebellion is His wrath.

If we were to have a “just” Christmas, which          frankly, is an oxymoron, there would be no one left alive to celebrate          it.

“For          the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through          Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 6:23

But          the birth of Jesus Christ is not about justice or fairness – it          is about God generously and compassionately providing a Savior we did          not deserve.

And, because of God’s unmerited gift to us, we are          spared an eternity of separation and suffering in Hell.

But,          if we teach the lost and needy through our good works that the service          they receive from us is “just,” will they not also believe          that God’s love and goodness toward them is deserved?

“For          by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is          the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his          workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before          ordained that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:8-10

Paul Proctor, a rural resident of the Volunteer state and seasoned veteran of the country music industry, retired from showbiz in the late 1990's to dedicate himself to addressing important social issues from a distinctly biblical perspective. As a freelance writer and regular columnist for NewsWithViews.com, he extols the wisdom and truths of scripture through commentary and insight on cultural trends and current events. His articles appear regularly on a variety of news and opinion sites across the internet and in print.

E-Mail: watchman@usa.com

Lee Dunn's List: NWO RELIGION

Paul Proctor -- Willow Creek Wants A ‘Just’ Christmas? 41

List Info