As my friends would know, I´m pro-America and pro-Israel.  But I miss the point if I become so “pro” that I close my eyes for God´s coming judgment on America and Israel because of their many sins.

Billy Graham in his younger days often spoke like an Old Testament prophet and warned his country of a coming disaster if another Nineveh-awakening doesn´t make America humbly repent before God.

When it comes to Israel, the message hasn´t changed:  ”Repent and be converted that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord…”  (Acts 3:19).  Some like to preach ”times of refreshing” to Israel only,  forgetting that very aspect of the gospel. *)

I´m also anti-Islam.  I get many reports on that evil religion.  But I´m in a dead-end if I forget that the gospel is meant for the Moslems also, and that I´m called to give every Moslem I get in contact with a personal greeting about God´s love and saving grace in Christ Jesus.

The point is this:  The gospel is our only agenda as gospel-Christians.   The apostle spoke about ”the first times of the gospel” (Phil. 4:15, Danish rendering).  Today we may speak of the last times of the gospel.  However, we´re still living in gospel times no matter where we are on God´s calendar and in His counsel.
The Lord hasn´t called us to be profound philosophers,  learned scribes, political debaters or moralizing punishers, but to ”do the work of an evangelist” (2 Tim. 4:5) – or at least try to.  In a winning way, with love and passion and tears.  And in the power of the Holy Spirit.

I quote Spurgeon again:  ”Look around, gentlemen, more than anything the people want to hear the gospel of Jesus!”  (Acts 8:35).

-jn-

*) Of course I believe that God still has a wonderful plan with Israel.  But it will come about through deep sorrow and repentance (Zech. 12:10) – not through military power.

Nov. 17, 2009