Some Christians who joined in worship with self-proclaimed Mormon Glenn Beck at the recent Restoring Honor rally, claim they were honoring Christ. I am disturbed by this and find the reasons for such participation wanting. One reason they claim is that since there are really two kingdoms – a political, national kingdom based on government and the kingdom of God – true Christians can unite with unbelievers on issues of common concern. Though I agree that this reason may be valid in some cases, it does not apply here.
Christians can and must work with non-believers on projects of common interest. Of course, working together involves agreement and unity for a common goal. The common goal may be motivated by different purposes, yet be a worthy goal. For example, various groups may work together on a community road as they all want to go different places for different reasons, for which the road is necessary. Some may use the road to journey for a noble cause, others may have a sinful destination in mind. Similarly, Muslims and Christians may come together to oppose abortion. Both parties agree abortion is an evil, though their reasons differ. As long as both groups agree on the project yet remain clear that their religious reasons motivating the project are quite different, there is no confusion that Christians are agreeing with the Muslim faith or that Muslims are embracing Christianity.
However, the expressed goal of this project, the rally, was about calling on God Himself. So any effort already requires unity about who God is, how He desires to be called upon, etc. Therefore, participation itself declares that all involved have the same God, the same way of salvation, the same way of worship, etc. So the reason doesn’t apply. Or Christians that remain committed to worshiping a god the same as the false deity of Mormons are themselves not really Christians. Their understanding of the nature of God is wrong and therefore any faith is empty.
Some Christians may object that although the rally had elements of worship and prayer, those were just elements supporting the “real” purpose which was to express that America needs God. They may believe that any outcry to any god should be supported and encouraged. Even cries to a false god are judged helpful since people will more quickly realize the falseness and look elsewhere, eventually finding the true and living God. I suppose they feel that any statement preached at the rally that would have clearly distinguished Jesus as distinct from all false gods would have discouraged any outcry to any god and was properly avoided, lest the preacher be seen as exclusive, unfriendly, or mean.
But what does God call Christians to do? We can love our country and work with our neighbor – but our first priority is to seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. God promises to add all the rest if we are faithful in our quest for His Kingdom. We don’t love our country first and portray confusion about Jesus to our neighbor, hoping that eventually God will add them to His Kingdom. On the contrary, God has clearly told us how His Kingdom is built. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the power that builds the Kingdom. It is to be proclaimed clearly, without mixture with the ideas of men or devils. God has promised to draw men into His kingdom when His Son Jesus Christ is lifted up – when Jesus is uniquely proclaimed as crucified, buried, resurrected, and reigning from heaven.
Certainly that gospel can be proclaimed outside the walls of the churches. It must be preached in the marketplace and in compromised venues such as apostate denominations or television networks and in worldly places such as political rallies and sporting events. But it must be clearly proclaimed and presented as distinct from the ideas of men or the tenets of false religions. Christ Himself spoke in such venues. His call was so distinct that there was little applause or agreement. The hearers knew exactly what He was saying and sought to run Him out of town or kill Him. May Christians in America be faithful unto death, contending unceasingly, on every stage, for the true and only saving faith that was once for all delivered by Christ and His apostles.
“For if the bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle?”
1 Corinthians 14:8
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again? It is good for nothing anymore, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.” – Jesus Christ
Matthew 5:13