Why Government Can't Save You: An Alternative to Political Activism QUOTES

1 " I would never want to be president because the power to bring righteousness to this country does not now and will never reside in public office. "

― John F. MacArthur Jr. , Why Government Can't Save You: An Alternative to Political Activism

2 " Rather than demanding our rights and creating for ourselves a world where we feel safe and accepted, we need to see the deep spiritual needs of the world and concern ourselves with offering people hope through Jesus Christ. That’s what being a living sacrifice is all about. Third, "

― John F. MacArthur Jr. , Why Government Can't Save You: An Alternative to Political Activism

3 " During the past twenty-five years, well-meaning Christians have founded a number of evangelical activist organizations and put millions of dollars into them in an ill-conceived effort to counteract the secular undermining of American culture. They have used these groups, along with existing Christian publishing houses and broadcast networks, to lobby hard for a “Christian” political viewpoint and fight back against the prevailing anti-Christian culture. Sadly, those believers have often displayed mean-spirited attitudes and utilized the same kinds of worldly tactics as their unbelieving opponents. The problem with this overall approach should be obvious—believers become antagonistic toward the very lost people God has called them to love and reach with the gospel. LESSONS "

― John F. MacArthur Jr. , Why Government Can't Save You: An Alternative to Political Activism

4 " Finally, by making activism our priority, we fashion a reputation as rabble-rousing malcontents and foster hostility toward unbelievers that alienates us from them, and them from us. We need to let go of the notion that culture and "

― John F. MacArthur Jr. , Why Government Can't Save You: An Alternative to Political Activism

5 " Our duty as we relate to an increasingly secular and ungodly culture is not to lobby for certain rights, the implementation of a Christian agenda, or the reformation of the government. Rather, God would have us continually to remember Paul’s instructions to Titus and live them out as we seek to demonstrate His power and grace that can regenerate sinners. "

― John F. MacArthur Jr. , Why Government Can't Save You: An Alternative to Political Activism

6 " We can’t protect or expand the cause of Christ by human political and social activism, no matter how great or sincere the efforts. Ours is a spiritual battle against worldly ideologies and dogmas that are arrayed against God, and we achieve victory over them only with the weapon of Scripture. "

― John F. MacArthur Jr. , Why Government Can't Save You: An Alternative to Political Activism

7 " God simply is not calling us to wage a culture war that would seek to transform our countries into “Christian nations.” To devote all, or even most, of our time, energy, money, and strategy to putting a façade of morality on the world or the appearance of “rightness” over our governmental and political institutions is to badly misunderstand our roles as Christians in a spiritually lost world. God "

― John F. MacArthur Jr. , Why Government Can't Save You: An Alternative to Political Activism

8 " The church will really change society for the better only when individual believers make their chief concern their own spiritual maturity, which means living in a way that honors God’s commands and glorifies His name. Such a concern inherently includes a firm grasp on Scripture and an understanding that its primary mandate to us is to know Christ and proclaim His gospel. A godly attitude coupled with godly living makes the saving message of the gospel credible to the unsaved. "

― John F. MacArthur Jr. , Why Government Can't Save You: An Alternative to Political Activism

9 " When we give proper support to earthly government it demonstrates that we “fear God” and trust Him no matter how difficult and discouraging it is to live in an ungodly society. It shows others that we reverence Him as the Sovereign who is working all things according to His perfect plan. Finally, "

― John F. MacArthur Jr. , Why Government Can't Save You: An Alternative to Political Activism

10 " A certain amount of healthy and balanced concern with current trends in government and the community is acceptable, as long as we realize that such interest is not vital to our spiritual growth, our righteous testimony, or the advancement of the kingdom of Christ. Above all, the believer’s political involvement should never displace the priority of preaching and teaching the gospel. Believers "

― John F. MacArthur Jr. , Why Government Can't Save You: An Alternative to Political Activism

11 " They follow the argumentation of the Declaration of Independence, which declares that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are divinely endowed rights. Therefore those believers say such rights are part of a Christian worldview, worth attaining and defending at all costs, including military insurrection at times. But such a position is contrary to the clear teachings and commands of Romans 13:1–7. So the United States was actually born out of a violation of New Testament principles, and any blessings that God has bestowed on America have come in spite of that disobedience by the Founding Fathers. Also, "

― John F. MacArthur Jr. , Why Government Can't Save You: An Alternative to Political Activism

12 " Even as the apostle Paul described his mission to unbelievers, so it is the primary task of all Christians to reach out to the lost “to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in [Christ]” (Acts 26:18; see also Exodus 19:6; 1 Peter 2:5, 9). If we do not evangelize the lost and make disciples of new converts, nothing else we do for people—no matter how beneficial it seems—is of any eternal consequence. Whether a person is an atheist or a theist, a criminal or a model citizen, sexually promiscuous and perverse or strictly moral and virtuous, a greedy materialist or a gracious philanthropist—if he does not have a saving relationship with Christ, he is going to hell. "

― John F. MacArthur Jr. , Why Government Can't Save You: An Alternative to Political Activism

13 " As we suggested in chapter one, the Lord expects us to speak out against sin, injustice, immorality, and ungodliness with courage and diligence. But we must do so in a law-abiding manner, according to the civil laws that legislative bodies and governing officials have established for us. The church is to be a godly society within the larger ungodly society, living peaceably and exhibiting good works through the transformed lives of its members. Only in those ways will we truly affect society and allow the Holy Spirit to draw unconverted people to the saving power of God. “Be "

― John F. MacArthur Jr. , Why Government Can't Save You: An Alternative to Political Activism

14 " But the inspired writers, early in Old Testament history, recognized there is one exception or limitation to our divinely mandated obligation of civil obedience: whenever an ordinance or official command would require that we disobey God’s will or His Word. The "

― John F. MacArthur Jr. , Why Government Can't Save You: An Alternative to Political Activism

15 " A later church father, Tertullian, wrote concerning Rome, “Without ceasing, for all our emperors we offer prayer. We pray for life prolonged; for security to the empire; for protection to the imperial house; for brave armies, a faithful senate, a virtuous people, the world at rest, whatever, as man or Caesar, an emperor would wish.”3 The "

― John F. MacArthur Jr. , Why Government Can't Save You: An Alternative to Political Activism

16 " The remarkable thing about those statements is not the profundity of their sentiments as such, but that they were expressed in the midst of very difficult times for the church. It was attempting to survive and grow even though targeted for sometimes-vicious persecution by a pagan, cruel, anti-Christian government in Rome. Accusations "

― John F. MacArthur Jr. , Why Government Can't Save You: An Alternative to Political Activism

17 " Even on those rare occasions when we must follow the exception principle regarding civil obedience, we should do so respectfully, prepared to suffer the consequences or penalties that may result. In those instances, we must heed Peter’s instruction that “it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil” (1 Peter 3:17). "

― John F. MacArthur Jr. , Why Government Can't Save You: An Alternative to Political Activism

18 " Yes, the world is sinful, but must we act surprised or shocked by its sinfulness? How else could sinners act? They are blinded by the powers of darkness and have no spiritual discernment. That’s why it’s foolish to expect human institutions to produce the kind of righteousness and justice that only God can effect. We can’t look to government to uphold or enforce our biblical standards for living. "

― John F. MacArthur Jr. , Why Government Can't Save You: An Alternative to Political Activism

19 " Guide our steps to walk in holiness and righteousness and singleness of heart, and to do those things that are good and acceptable in Thy sight, and in the sight of our rulers. Yes, Lord, cause Thy face to shine upon us in peace for our good, that we may be sheltered by Thy mighty hand and delivered from every sin by Thine outstretched arm. Deliver us from those who hate us wrongfully. Give concord and peace to us and to all who dwell on earth, as Thou didst to our fathers, when they called on Thee in faith and truth with holiness, while we render obedience to Thine almighty and most excellent name, and to our earthly rulers and governors. Thou, O Lord and Master, hast given them the power of sovereignty through Thine excellent and unspeakable might, that we, knowing the glory and honour which Thou hast given them, may submit ourselves to them, in nothing resisting Thy will. Grant them therefore, O Lord, health, peace, concord and stability, that they may without failure administer the government which Thou hast committed to them. For Thou, O heavenly Master, King of the ages, dost give to the sons of men glory and honour and power over all things that are in the earth. Do Thou, O Lord, direct their counsel according to what is good and acceptable in Thy sight, that they, administering in peace and gentleness with godliness the power which Thou hast committed to them, may obtain Thy favour.1 "

― John F. MacArthur Jr. , Why Government Can't Save You: An Alternative to Political Activism