local churches unite...to oppose something!?!

I read this story in the paper yesterday. Here are some excerpts:

CHARLESTON -- The opposition to table games in Kanawha County took on an ecumenical cast Sunday, as worshippers from across the spectrum of Christian belief gathered to kickoff what they hope will be a successful campaign against casino-style gambling.

Members of churches from the United Methodists to the Southern Baptists -- gathered under the auspices of the West Virginia Council of Churches -- planned a rally to signal a month of intense campaigning against the expansion of gambling at Tri-State Racetrack & Gaming in Nitro.

Churches from a variety of Christian denominations have found common ground in opposition to the addition of casino-style games like poker and blackjack to the Nitro racetrack. They warn about the dangers of addiction to gambling and the negative impacts it can have on individuals and families.

As I read it, I thought, Are you serious? This is what causes Christians to unite? Because they want to oppose something? Once again, to the community at large, there go more Christians rallying against something.

I'm not saying it's wrong to do so. I'm just saying, why this one? Why unite against table games? How 'bout uniting because of the fact that people are dying and spending eternity apart from God? How 'bout the bigger issue? It's called sin. Why don't we, as churches, unite and rally together to deal with the root issue. That is that people are lost and hurting and they need a Savior. They don't need less or no gaming tables. They need Jesus! Let's rally around that!

What if our churches got serious about that one?

Here's the thing: before there will ever be change on the outside (gaming tables), there has to be change on the inside.

The Great Commission doesn't call us to be the morality police for our communities…it tells us to go and make disciples. What we need to do is focus more on Jesus and less on social issues. I think if we do that, the rest will be taken care of (Matt. 6:33).

See, gaming tables are not the problem. Gambling is the problem. Blake spoke this morning about how Bartimaeus was willing to deal with his root problem.

Instead of, as Christians, always being AGAINST something, why not show our communities what we are FOR! We're for helping people. We're for second chances...and third chances, and fourth chances... We're for the hurting, the helpless, the down-and-out, the spiritually poor. We're for our communities. We're for ending poverty. We're for forgiveness. We're for each other. We're for the family. We're for sinners. We're for those who think church is boring and irrelevant. We're for loving the unlovable.

Now, before you misunderstand me...I'm not FOR gambling. I'm for JESUS. Because he is the solution.

Let's rally around that.