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 Socialism on Judgment Day? by Steve Gallagher


“You call yourself a Christian, where is your compassion for the poor?” demanded the cheeky student. Dr. Jenkins knew that the girl had been thoroughly brainwashed into the European socialism that has overtaken American universities. He also suspected that she spoke for the rest of the students in his economics class.

The good professor was about to respond with a rant that would make Rush Limbaugh proud when a sudden burst of inspiration stopped him short and sent him in a different direction. “How many of you believe that socialism is the answer for the American economy?” he asked. The show of hands was disheartening, if not surprising.

“Okay, let’s put it to the test. I propose that from this moment forward, we handle the grading of this course on a socialistic model. We are going to apply the principles of socialism—that great social equalizer—to the scoring of your tests. From now on,” he continued, “I’m going to average out all your grades and give everyone—no matter how poorly or how well you did on the test—the same grade. That’s socialism. Do you agree to this arrangement?” The students looked around unsure of themselves until the sassy girl once again took it upon herself to represent the entire class. “We agree!”

The first test under the new system was administered the following week. As promised, Dr. Jenkins calculated the scores and the median grade of C+ was applied to each student’s record. Diligent students were suddenly becoming nervous about this new arrangement while the laggards were quietly ecstatic.
Three weeks later, he gave the second test, only now even the “A” students were noticeably unmotivated. This time the average grade across-the-board had dropped to a dismal D. By the end of the school year—having been gutted of any motivation to put forth real effort —the entire class had flunked! It was a lesson in economics those students would never forget.

As I pondered this enlightening story, I had my own revelation. “Wait a minute,” I exclaimed to myself, “that’s exactly what’s happened in the Church!”

In our case, it has been the biblical principle of grace that has become the Great Equalizer. Over the past century, ear-tickling preachers have emphasized the “grace message” at the expense of the equally important subjects of obedience, righteousness and holiness–leaving people with the sense that anyone who shows the slightest inclination, no matter how they actually live their lives, are assured of eternal life.

Also de-emphasized has been the vital doctrine that Jesus Christ will render to every person rewards in accordance to their deeds. A bland “one-size-fits-all” concept of heaven has replaced the biblical teaching that our efforts for Christ will one day be richly rewarded.

Since a righteous life, sacrificial love or consecrated living are not expected of God’s people and since everyone receives the same benefits of salvation, there is no reason to press in to know God; no reason to strive against one’s lower nature; no reason to reject worldly enticements; no reason to do much of anything except show up for church on Sundays. Is it any wonder then that the Church has lost her power and her fire?

The whole concept of socialism looks good to idealistic students in the sterile environment of a university classroom, but the reality of it in the workplace is another matter. Likewise, in seminary, it may seem like a good idea to promote a cheap version of God’s grace, but it doesn’t work in the real world of Christianity. In both cases, people are taught that those who strive for the best will be penalized, while the careless—in the name of Compassion—will be granted a free ride.

Thank God that He is not bound to man’s corruptions of His truth! Those who buy into the notion of cheap grace are only cheating themselves, for the age-old maxim that “you reap what you sow” will prove to be true in the end.
And it is right that it is so for the Lord has mercifully created a just system where every human being—regardless of his status in life—will receive precisely what he has shown he desired. As the apostle said, “He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” (2 Corinthians 9:6)

No, you can rest assured that there will be no socialistic formulas at work on Judgment Day. “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.” (Revelation 22:12)

read more: http://www.eternalweight.com/socialism-on-judgment-day


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SI Moderator - Greg Gordon

 2012/3/1 13:52Profile
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 Re: Socialism on Judgment Day? by Steve Gallagher

Quote:
In our case, it has been the biblical principle of grace that has become the Great Equalizer. Over the past century, ear-tickling preachers have emphasized the “grace message” at the expense of the equally important subjects of obedience, righteousness and holiness–leaving people with the sense that anyone who shows the slightest inclination, no matter how they actually live their lives, are assured of eternal life.


There are some very good thoughts and truths expressed in this article. There is a need for balance and not reactionary doctrinal leanings in our day. The judgment seat of Christ is where everything will be equalized. Let us look to Christ and the Word for the proper balance we need in these last days, the Mercy Grace of God and the Grace to do (obedience) are both important.


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SI Moderator - Greg Gordon

 2012/3/1 15:36Profile
UntoBabes
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Joined: 2010/8/24
Posts: 1035
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 Re:

Amen to truth.


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Fifi

 2012/3/1 15:40Profile









 Re:

Greg I an not sure if the Gallagher article can be applied to the Christian walk. For economic models fine. We know that the American free enterprise system is built in what you achieve you are rewarded for. But the Christian walk is a walk of grace.

If anything Titus teaches that the grace that brings salvation will teach us to live self- controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age. Grace will teach us to say 'No' to ungodliness. I find this far more encouraging than dialectical theory.

Blaine Scogin

 2012/3/1 17:43
InLove
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Joined: 2010/11/17
Posts: 53


 Re:

Martyr,

I believe you are an educated Christian, spiritually speaking, so surly you can see that if ONLY grace was taught then there would be a lop-sided view of Christ. I think you will get what is being said here in just that statement alone. You know we are not taking away from grace by any means, but to show the whole, or at least try to, truth in Christ.

In Love,
Joe

Edited*

 2012/3/1 18:54Profile
learjet
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Joined: 2010/4/19
Posts: 447


 Re:

Quote:
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I WILL PUT YOU IN CHARGE OF MANY THINGS. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’

23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I WILL PUT YOU IN CHARGE OF MANY THINGS. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’

26 “His master replied, ‘You WICKED, LAZY servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

-Matthew 25:21-27



Loved the article and it's well supported by scripture.

Steve has some awesome message on this site, I think I've listened to nearly all of them! Thanks for posting!

 2012/3/1 19:17Profile
ginnyrose
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Joined: 2004/7/7
Posts: 7534
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 Re:

Good article. Loved that illustration.


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Sandra Miller

 2012/3/1 19:23Profile









 Re: Socialism on Judgment Day? by Steve Gallagher

Martyr writes...........

"Greg I an not sure if the Gallagher article can be applied to the Christian walk. For economic models fine. We know that the American free enterprise system is built in what you achieve you are rewarded for. But the Christian walk is a walk of grace.

If anything Titus teaches that the grace that brings salvation will teach us to live self- controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age. Grace will teach us to say 'No' to ungodliness. I find this far more encouraging than dialectical theory."

The article states..........
"Also de-emphasized has been the vital doctrine that Jesus Christ will render to every person rewards in accordance to their deeds. A bland “one-size-fits-all” concept of heaven has replaced the biblical teaching that our efforts for Christ will one day be richly rewarded.

Since a righteous life, sacrificial love or consecrated living are not expected of God’s people and since everyone receives the same benefits of salvation, there is no reason to press in to know God; no reason to strive against one’s lower nature; no reason to reject worldly enticements; no reason to do much of anything except show up for church on Sundays. Is it any wonder then that the Church has lost her power and her fire?"

I have to go with Martyr on this one. Most American preaching is so soaked in the culture of Americanism, so wrapped in the red white and blue, that it is hard to take seriously when the average American preacher speaks of socialism. If I was looking at the above statement, I would have to ask for a definition of what he means by "Gods people." Does he mean all of Christendom? Everyone that calls themselves a Christian or a believer?

I believe that those who took a hold of cheap grace, who got their fire insurance, I believe that they are certainly not going to press into God, not because " well hey, everyone is gonna get the same reward, but because they dont even know Jesus in the first place. Why would you press into something that you dont know? And so, its apples and oranges unless the writer defines " the people of God."

Lets consider what the writer says for a second though. Is he saying that our walk with the Lord is performance based? In order to please God one must attain a certain level? In order to establish a better position in heaven, one must jockey for such a place down on earth? And if we take the logic just one step forward, then there are bad jobs in heaven and you dont want that, you want the better jobs, for if they were all good jobs or positions then it would nullify the whole thing, none would try. Really? Does that mean the prodigal son is washing dishes in heaven? The son who never left has a better position than his brother? Thief on the cross, cleaning toilets?


And receiving it they murmured against the master of the house, saying, These last have worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them and said, Friend, I do you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take yours, and go; I will give to this last one the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I want with my own? Is your eye evil because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last, for many are called, but few are chosen.
(Mat 20:11-16)

Truly I say to you, Among those who have been born of women there has not risen a greater one than John the Baptist. But the least in the kingdom of Heaven is greater than he.
(Mat 11:11)

We need to get our heads out of the isms of the world and cast our eyes on the eternals of heaven. I am going to press into the my lord with all my heart even if He tells me that I will have the lowest seat at the table, and I will be praising God that I am even at the table, I'll leave the ladder climbing to other folks. Jesus climbed to the top of the ladder and by HIs righteousness we are saved. When the Lord looks at me, He sees the blood of the Lamb. If He saw Frank, in his flesh, at his best, He would not pass over me He would be compelled to cast me out. I enter in and enjoy the fellowship of God by the blood, and by nothing else. All else is hopeless speculation and using the standard of the world systems to measure our God kingdom...............bro Frank

 2012/3/1 21:44
MaryJane
Member



Joined: 2006/7/31
Posts: 3057


 Re:

frank you wrote:I am going to press into the my lord with all my heart even if He tells me that I will have the lowest seat at the table, and I will be praising God that I am even at the table, I'll leave the ladder climbing to other folks.

__________

Amen to what you said here. I agree with you.

God bless
mj

 2012/3/1 22:26Profile
rbanks
Member



Joined: 2008/6/19
Posts: 1330


 Re:

Quote-
The whole concept of socialism looks good to idealistic students in the sterile environment of a university classroom, but the reality of it in the workplace is another matter. Likewise, in seminary, it may seem like a good idea to promote a cheap version of God’s grace, but it doesn’t work in the real world of Christianity. In both cases, people are taught that those who strive for the best will be penalized, while the careless—in the name of Compassion—will be granted a free ride.

Thank God that He is not bound to man’s corruptions of His truth! Those who buy into the notion of cheap grace are only cheating themselves, for the age-old maxim that “you reap what you sow” will prove to be true in the end.
And it is right that it is so for the Lord has mercifully created a just system where every human being—regardless of his status in life—will receive precisely what he has shown he desired. As the apostle said, “He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” (2 Corinthians 9:6)

No, you can rest assured that there will be no socialistic formulas at work on Judgment Day. “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.” (Revelation 22:12)
-Quote

Notice what he says here “And it is right that it is so for the Lord has mercifully created a just system where every human being—regardless of his status in life—will receive precisely what he has shown he desired. As the apostle said, “He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” (2 Corinthians 9:6)”

Notice “every human being—regardless of his status in life—will receive precisely what he has shown he desired” – this is a profound statement which is true from scripture. Socialism is not the same as having compassion on the poor. The writer is bringing this to light in his article. Socialism as well as cheap grace does not consider the cost that was paid. Cheap grace does not consider the price of His precious blood and cruel death on the cross for those who could not help themselves. Cheap grace is not the grace of God because the grace of God is only for those who repent and place their faith in His Son who made atonement for their sins to reconcile them to God. This grace continues to teach us to live godly and be doers of the Word of God. God says that we reap what we sow and that if we sow to the flesh we will reap corruption.

Socialism is not biblical and rewards those who continue to live irresponsible. There is a difference in being poor and having need because there is a lack of supplies and one does not have the means to get it, but they are not being irresponsible neither is they living in what God calls corruption, than in living without because one continues to be lazy, living in sin and does not desire to listen or follow the truth.

I agree with what I believe the writer was trying to convey and the part where he said that one “will receive precisely what he has shown he desired” really stood out because Jesus will judge His church by character rather than by its perceived accumulation.

Blessings to all!

 2012/3/1 23:44Profile





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