Evangelicals 4 Harris and Other Wandering Stars

We need to discuss Evangelicals for Harris. Settle, settle. It’s not because they say they are for Harris necessarily, but because they say they are evangelicals. I am also a political writer, but this is not a political post. This is a Biblical worldview post. Just watch.

I haven’t been paying much attention to any feuds or fellowships in this arena but did see a tweet come across my screen that gave me pause. It was about what constitutes a “Child of God.” It went like this.

 

A speaker, a gentleman, I admittedly have taken exception with in the past, in an effort to be inclusive stated that we are all God’s children. Sounds right, sounds kind…sorta. Is it an issue of sentiment or semantics…I probably would have said nothing simply because I haven’t found social media to be a bastion of wisdom that welcomes clarifying theological conversations. Strangely, people don’t want their platitudes pressed in on. Shocker.

 

Ms. Ellis’s pushback was correct though. This is one of those tricky parts that the Body tends to shy away from or smooth over lest it lead to anything akin to confrontation. Technically, we aren’t all God’s children. I know that seems unkind on the outset and because so it is certainly worth clarifying. But again, conversations for another day.

 

Until what happened next…happened next. Shots fired! “Are you arguing that you aren’t a child of God unless you are born again?” Aren’t we all arguing that? Are we not? I’m surprised they seem surprised. Let’s address the premise. Are we all God’s children?

 

There is a difference between “We are all made in His image…we are all His creation…” and “we are all His children.” Scripture is quite clear.  God does love the world but only those born again are adopted into His family.  (John 1:12)

There is a hardline in the timeline of every man–Jesus enters and man responds–however man responds. Jesus is the point where EVERYTHING–our purpose, position, and practice–change. Or it doesn’t.

 

You were one way before Christ and now you are another way in Christ. It isn’t “same before, same after.” We have to see ourselves rightly, friends. Hellooo, catechism. Concrete answers to important questions.

Who am I apart from Christ? Apart from Christ I am an enemy of God— guilty and condemned to death, I am a slave to sin—unable to obey or do good, and I am hopelessly lost—separated from God by sin.

Apart from Christ? I am not a child of God. He alone makes that possible. What Good News indeed!

Who am I in Christ? In Christ, I am a child of God—an adopted heir and ambassador, I am a new creation—saved, forgiven and free, I am rescued, redeemed, and destined for Heaven.

 

If you do not see yourself rightly, according to Scripture, I assure you–you do not see your salvation rightly either. Do you know who you were before Christ? Do you know that you are now a new creation because of Christ? If we are all children of God and some people do go to Hell, are there children of God in Hell? See? Is everyone a child of God and subsequently everyone is saved?

Our worldviews have consequences, each one leading to another question and another, and everything must reconcile WITH THE WORD. According to Scripture, some remain children of wrath or children of the devil. That’s tough stuff but it is in there.  And it is in there in RED. Jesus said this in John 8:44.

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father ‘s desires. John 8:44

Jesus was pointing out that not everyone who heard His message would understand or want to obey because they were not “in the family” so to speak. According to Jesus, those who were in God’s family would want to behave as their Father did and those who weren’t, would behave as their father…the devil. Ouch.

 

Those who are saved become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ, and by that we are adopted into the family (Galatians 3:26). It can be a difficult thing to understand that for all the including our world wants to do our Savior divides, like a sword separating friend and family…those who will believe and those who will not.

Are you getting your theology from people who don’t know what they are talking about? The thing most amazing about the post from Evangelicals for Harris is how certain they seem of what is incorrect and easily verifiable. They followed up in that same thread about how their mission was to encourage others and share the Good News. Fantastic! Me, too!

But when I asked if the Good News saved ALL or saved SOME? No response. I asked 6 times over the last 24 hours.

Y’all. Voting and politics aside. Is the Good News that everyone is saved into eternal life in Heaven because everyone is a child of God? This is basic stuff. It doesn’t require a seminary degree in ancient languages. But it does require knowing what the Bible says and stating it plainly. That is the responsibility of those who carry the name of Christ, those who teach or have influence…those who call themselves Evangelical. In Jude, there are some pretty serious consequences for those whose guidance leads others astray.