What Can You Do About Socialism? by John Avant

“The good of the collective takes priority over that of the individual.” This is the new policy of the great city of New York. 

Except that this is not originally a quote from Mandami. It is from Adolph Hitler!  Then he killed millions. 

Or Joseph Stalin -  "The individual is nothing; the collective is everything." Then he killed millions. 

Or Mao -  "The individual is subordinate to the organization (the collective).” Then he killed millions. 

Does anyone notice a pattern here?

So why do so many people long for something, fight for something, believe in something - that always ends up killing people? 

Because EVERYONE needs a collective! 

We are not made to be alone. In so many ways, in our quiet moments, we all feel a little bit like the misfit red-nosed reindeer, Rudolph, when he finds a common bond with a misfit elf.  “Maybe we could be independent - together!”

The problem is that a collective never works when it’s forced. 

That’s not a community. That’s slavery.

And that’s all socialism is. The collective doesn’t happen by itself. There has to be a new ruling class. And they become the new slave-masters.

So what do we do about this movement toward socialism in our day? I’ll leave the political solutions to others. I’m not saying they’re not important. I just know something that’s more important.

The Church! 

The people of God who CHOOSE community in order to love, not hate. To give not take. To heal, not destroy.  

And if we are honest, the American church has done such a poor job of this that we have not offered a beautiful alternative of community to the ugly curse of socialism. 

But a young generation of believers is changing things in our day! They are not waiting around for older Christians to do this anymore. They are forming their own communities. On campus. At coffee shops. In borrowed and rented buildings.

There is a beautiful alternative to the murderous demonic scourge of socialism:

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭42‬-‭47‬ 

You may not be able to change New York City today. But you can choose this!

Challenge your own small group this Sunday. Ask the hard question of whether you look anything like this passage as a community. And if not, commit to changing it. 

And if your church won’t have that, then find another one. 

Hard words for hard times. But we are not without hope! Jesus is on the move! Here and across the world. 

Don’t just be angry. Don’t just be afraid. The kingdom of God is always advancing. 

Join the King. 

Go with Him. 

He will make all things well.