“I’m A FUNDAMENTALIST! I’m not afraId to WEAR that term. Yet, today those of us who stand firm in the faith of historic Christianity need to rethink some pious traditions that have grown cold and dead. One in particular is our quest for biblical separatism vs. our social responsibility.”

 I’m Dennis Finnan, host and speaker on the World, the Word & You! Broadcast and in a moment we’ll talk about the Gospel call of Christ and the work God wants His Church to do in the 21^st century…

... The Bible tells us that one day as Jesus and His disciples were ministering to the crowds, the Lord stood up and gave His stirring "Sermon on the Mount." At that time, Jesus Christ declared what the Father in Heaven wanted from those who followed Him and desired to obey God. The Lord Jesus summed up almost everything He wanted to communicate when He said,

Mat 5:14-15 (NLT)  You are the light of the world—like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. 15 Don’t hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all.

Now what did Jesus mean by that? Well, for many Christians today this means we are to stand against sins like abortion, pornography and homosexuality. We are to run campaigns to stamp them out for this is paramount to our obedience to the Christian life. Yet others feel Jesus’ words mean we are to be a special earthly instrument to bring in a new world political order that is in full conformity to God's societal Laws given in the Old Testament. Still more believe it means we are to be practically and personally centered in social work such as: feeding the hungry, helping the poor and perhaps even redistributing the world's wealth to eliminate the inequities of the "have and have nots!"

Well, these multiple answers that would be given to asking what is "salt and light," causes us to rethink the age old question “What is our Christian social responsibility, in the world in which we live?” Well, discerning God's will in such a matter, can only come from opening and understanding God's Word, so let's look into this issue now.

Our journey today into God's Word takes us directly to what might be called the world of social ethics. Many Christians and their leaders now believe that Christ's call to be "salt and light," truly meant we Christians are obligated to minister “socially” as part and parcel to the Gospel mandate given to Christians worldwide. For them, failure to be heavily engaged in social work is really failure to preach the Gospel of Christ commanded of Christians. But with that thought we are thrust face to face with another question “Just what is the Gospel of Christ anyway?" If the content of the gospel is evangelism, then social responsibility is not a part of it. But if the gospel includes obedience, following Christ, bringing in the kingdom, or at least living kingdom ethics now, then social responsibilities will definitely be a part of the gospel message. So writes Charles Ryrie in one of his commentaries on this challenging issue.

Yes, today many believers are confronted with popular calls to be "full Gospel, or "whole Gospel" Christians. For these criers of the faith, a gospel that only focuses on the eternal salvation of an individual without meeting the needs of his humanity is an incomplete gospel.

Well, let’s look into the Word of God to find a true definition of what the "gospel" is. We read in,

1 Cor 15:1-4 (NLT)  Now let me remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then and still do now, for your faith is built on this wonderful message. 2 And it is this Good News that saves you if you firmly believe it--unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place. 3 I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me--that Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, as the Scriptures said.

Here we are told in no uncertain terms that the Gospel to be preached is -- totally redemptive! It has nothing to do with ministering to the physical or social needs of an individual, rather the spiritual needs of people's hearts is of vital importance! However, with that we also read of our Lord Jesus' own earthly ministry,

Matthew 4:23 (NIV) "Jesus went throughout Galilee , teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people."

Luke 7:22 (NIV) "So he replied to the messengers, "Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor."

Isn't this a bit confusing as to what God wanted Christ’s followers to do? Well let's examine these passages for clarity. First, the "poor" here in Luke 7:22 can refer to those who are physically and economically poor as millions worldwide are to this day. But it can also refer to those who are "spiritually" poor and bankrupt, who were living without a shred of hope for tomorrow as to being rightly related to their Creator God. Social activists for years have used these verses about Christ's ministry to declare that the mission of the church is ministering socially to the poor and downtrodden multitudes of peoples around the world by lifting their poverty and suffering, bandaging their wounds and curing their sicknesses. Who is right? Well, the answer lies in the fact that Jesus Himself delineated this dilemma in His words spoken in the Synagogue at Nazareth ,

Luke 4:18-19 (NIV) ""The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.""

Now, if Jesus was speaking to a call for “social responsibility,” realize this. He himself failed to live up to His own words. You see, He said the Father had sent Him "to preach the good news to the poor." If the Good News is then defined as social reconstruction and benevolence, Jesus never fulfilled bringing "freedom to prisoners," or "recovery of the sight of the blind," or "releasing the oppressed." However, as the Lord did preach the Gospel to the poor (Luke 7:22 ) He also preached this same Gospel to the rich (Luke 5:32 ; 10:1-10). Therefore, His words in the context of His ministry and life are clearly defined as something, other than social responsibility! The Gospel must of necessity refer to those who were not materially or physically poor but rather “spiritually poor,” which can be the rich as well as the economically poor. The “blind” spoke of spiritual blindness which included people worldwide, who exist in any economic class! Therefore, the classic passage I gave earlier is the final capstone to what is the Gospel Christians are to preach. Paul the great apostle writes,

1 Cor 15:1-4 (NLT)  Now let me remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then and still do now, for your faith is built on this wonderful message. 2 And it is this Good News that saves you if you firmly believe it—unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place. 3 I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me—that Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, as the Scriptures said.

Indeed, Christ's death and resurrection for sinners is paramount to the ministry of Christians everywhere. The gospel is therefore “Good News” to all because of two important facts: (1) Christ died, and (2) Christ lives! Everyone who believes this Good News, the Bible says will be "saved" from their sins, and be made whole in the eyes of God. That my friend and that alone is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the "whole Gospel," the "full Gospel" the Bible commands every Christian to be engaged in telling our lost world, everywhere!

So, if one is a true biblical and historic Christian, we must get back to the main ministry for the Church -- it is to bring spiritual redemption to our sin-sick world. Therefore, evangelism, Bible teaching and Christian discipleship is the ministry of the church of every age till Christ comes again. How we need to get back to this truth and mandate, for our world today desperately needs Christ! And, only the true Christian can declare it and bring it to the needy peoples of the world. Yes, "red, or yellow, black or white, rich or poor, they are all precious in God's sight."

Now with that said, is that all there is? The answer is no! For God has given us the Word of God and God Himself walked in this world giving us “an example” of His pleasure and purpose (1 Pet. 2:21). Again, Jesus Christ's ministry is itself our example. We read about His walk among men,

Mat 5:13-14 (NLT)  “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it useful again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. 14 You are the light of the world—like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see.

Here Jesus ties His followers to the people of the world in which they lived. Most evangelical interpretations of this passage say Christians are to be the "preservative" of righteousness in the world. This is true, for I preach this too, but is that “all” Jesus meant? The answer is no! You see, good salt not only preserves, but it also creates a thirst and gives zest and flavor to that which it permeates! In reading the Old Testament carefully, one can find another insightful meaning for the use of salt. It was used to bind a covenant, or give life and permanency to it! This is the meaning of the covenant of salt found in,

Numbers 18:19 (NIV) "Whatever is set aside from the holy offerings the Israelites present to the LORD I give to you and your sons and daughters as your regular share. It is an everlasting covenant of salt before the LORD for both you and your offspring.""

A covenant of salt was a "permanent living agreement." Thus, Jesus was saying, for Christians to be "salt," we are to "give life, a preserving influence, with stability and holiness." Moreover, to be "light," we are to reflect the light of Christ who said,

John 8:12 (NIV) "… "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.""

“Light” you see both attracts and repels. As believers we are to do both! We are to attract sinners to the light and covenant of Christ's salvation offer. But, we are also to repel the darkness of men's sins first in our lives and in rescuing lost sinners from its death grip on their hearts and lives. But the question we face in every age of the Church is "how do we do this?" Herein Christ answers…

The parable Jesus spoke to His disciples called "the Parable of the Good Samaritan," speaks of the practical need to "CARE FOR OUR NEIGHBORS." We do this, by doing good for them and too them, and by helping them in every area of their lives we are able. Without a doubt, GOOD WORKS are vital for the Christian in the world we live in. In fact, our Lord Himself went about "doing good." Luke writes in,

Acts 10:38 (NIV) "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him."

Even the Paul the apostle reminded the early church,

Galatians 6:9-10 (NIV) "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

The writer of the Book of Hebrews also stated,

Hebrews 13:16 (NIV) "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."

In relationship to all people then, our main ministry and goal is to preach the Good News that Christ died for sinners; and, that He lives now for them in glory and is coming again to be with all who embrace the cross for forgiveness of their sins. But along the way, we are also to be "untainted salt" and "pure light." We do this by being a personal and public reflection of God's love, His goodness and care for all people by maintaining behavior that "demands purity of life, boldness of witness and sensitivity to the needs of those around us." Paul writes to Titus instructing him to teach the church he pastored…

Titus 3:1-8 (NIV)- selected verses "Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, … And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone."

Therefore we can say the gospel is strictly redemptive, and must not be mixed with or confused with any "good works," or deeds owed to people. However, once a person is saved by the pure grace and mercy of God, their lives must display the goodness and grace of God toward others. We in effect are to go about “doing good,” as a result of our salvation experience. We are to "show" other that our salvation we preach changed our lives to love not only God but our fellow man.

How about it, fellow Christian, have you so been changed and are you so engaged? Or are you like many, aloof from your neighbors? Do they really see Christ's love operating in you? Are you a bold witness for the gospel message, uncompromisingly declaring the truth that unless folks receive Christ they will die in their sins? Are you also sensitive to the multiple and personal needs of others? Sensitive to the world we live in which terribly suffers because of its sins? Is your life truly the light and salt God wants, which will strongly create a thirst and flavor for the Christian faith? Do others want and crave for your faith, your life and living to be their very own? Or, are you living a life of luxury while the world has naught and goes to Hell? Admittedly no one can help everyone, or completely change the world. Why even God Himself while He walked this earth did not heal everyone, feed everyone, nor did He ever command any of His followers to do the same.

But He does command us to glorify God in our lives and living, and in our obedience to the great gospel mandate to "preach the Good News of Christ death, burial and resurrection to the whole world!" This amazingly is what God says Christians do that become that "salt and light," and love to a lost world!

Yet today we have other ideas. I tell you this, reforming government then is not the primary work of the church. Being a good citizen, voting and political participation is important, but only secondary to declaring salvation to our world. Feeding the starving millions then is not the work of the gospel mandate either. Yet, being involved in sharing our wealth, health and technology to alleviate these deplorable conditions must be done, but complimentary to preaching the Gospel that will save their souls. In other words, the Church today must give priority and emphasis to spiritual needs above all other engagements, yet never, never by-passing it or placing it secondary in our prayers and work. Our primary purpose here on earth is to SAVE LOST SINNERS! We must never vary from this work or be sidetracked into other worthy but lesser causes. Yet we cannot be obedient to the work of those saved to care for and reach out in social responsibility to the world around us that needs our practical love and care.

So friend, let us stand firm on the purposes of the Church on the earth. We are here to first share Christ with a lost and dying world. It matters not if that world is the slick Madison Avenue of New York or the disease ridden streets of Calcutta, India - men and women, boys and girls are born dead in their sins, spiritually poor and bankrupt and unless we go to them, loving them as Christ did, with the Good News that Christ died for them to save them from their sins, we will fail to be the witnesses we are commanded to be. But realize this. We must also with the same zeal and love for their souls, love them in their fallen needy living by reaching out to meet such needs and social responsibility. All too often fundamentalism has failed here to realize the Old and New Testament warned God’s children not to neglect social responsibilities. The haves are to share with the have nots. Oh yes, there are very important biblical principles that should accompany this, but none the less we cannot call ourselves Christians if we neglect to work and minister in the social arena of life. Friend, I say to you who are Christians, it’s time to rethink our fundamentalism’s teachings on biblical separation and social responsibility. They are not enemies but friends.

May God give every Christian listening a new charge and purpose, and may we truly be like a mighty army reaching out to bring our sin darkened world the light and the love of Christ. Say listening friend do you know Jesus Christ? Have you confessed your sins to Him asking for forgiveness? Have you put your trust alone in His work at Calvary where Christ died on a cruel cross for your sins? Are you trusting in Him for your righteousness before God? Have you been born again by faith in this Good News? May the living Lord Jesus Christ open every heart today to receive Him, and may Christians everywhere be the true light to reveal Him, and… the salt to give others a hunger and thirst to receive Him as their Savior and Lord...

...Say friend, what is your "social" responsibility? We know now, it is to be a pure and practical reflection of the love of God for all mankind. If you can help others do it. If you can bring healing to those around you do it. If you can alleviate the suffering of people around you, do it. But above all never lose sight of the Christian calling and ministry - we must first be concerned about the spiritual condition of those around us. If they are lost in their sins - we must tell them of Christ who can save them, but we must also show them that our salvation has changed our lives, brought us joy, given us homes and hearts of love, compassion, goodness and hope. Herein is the Gospel and our social responsibility, till Jesus comes again.