How are we to live, as Christians, in a culture that is increasingly hostile, and increasingly violent, toward Christians, the Bible, and the Biblical worldview?
This question has been increasingly relevant the past two decades, and, after the events of the last month, and especially the last week, this question is all the more relevant.
Evangelical Christians and socially conservative Americans are coming to terms with something that should have been obvious: there is a radicalized segment of the population that absolutely hates us, justifies violence toward us and even celebrates the assasination of one of us while (online) jokingly plotting 'who are we going to do next?'
That is dark. That is evil.
Christians know and understand that evil is real. On the 24th anniversary of 9/11, we remembered the almost 3,000 people who died on that horrific day when evil targeted America. Over the past six weeks alone, Americans have seen many manifestations of evil: a 21 year old Ukranian woman, a war refugee, was stabbed to death on a light rail in North Carolina. No one did anything to stop the killer and no one did anything to help her before she bled out.
Evil.
That same day that Charlie Kirk was assasinated, a 16 year old Colorado high school student killed two other students and then himself in a school shooting. He was radicalized online by anti-semitic hate groups.
Evil.
On Labor Day Weekend, another 18 people were killed in senseless violence in Chicago. That didn't make the news because it happens so often in Chicago.
Evil.
And we cannot forget the terrible shooting of the school children in the Catholic church school in Minneapolis by an angry trans shooter who fantisized of killing chidren.
Evil.
And, as Christians, we know that evil is real because we live in a fallen, broken world. We know that Jesus came to destroy the works of Satan (1 John 3:8). We know that the war has been won by virtue of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection, and we also know until everything culminates at the end of all things, when there is a new heaven and a new earth, we will have many troubles and we Christians will be hated (John 15:18-25; John 16:33). The war is over but there are still battles until all things are created new. We still have a real enemy who rages against us and will until he is once and for all bound and cast into the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:1-3, 10). We know that we will still have to deal with evil and pain and suffering on this side of eternity.
That said, there was something about the events of last week that seems to have shocked (or awakened) many Christians. The outright celebration of death was a wake up call. Evil is real and is advancing in our culture.
There are many reasons why this is the case, and I will try to address some of the reasons why evil is advancing as it is in our culture in subsequent Blog posts.
However, at this juncture, there is a pressing question many Christians are asking: 'In light of the darkness in our culture, how are we to live?'
Be courageous and love well.
Let me explain.
There are ways we cannot and must not respond as Christians when confronted by evil. We do not return evil for evil. On the other end of the spectrum, we also do not shrink back in fear.
Let me share ten things we must remember:
One: Our God is Good and Sovereign. He is absolutely in control. Evil is not in control. People are not ultimately in control. Politicians are not the ones ultimately in control. God is (Isaiah 46:10, Ephesians 1:11). Remember that.
Two: You and I have been commissioned (Matthew 28:18-20). We are to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16). The mission remains. Jesus is with us and for us (Matthew 28:20) and He has all authority in heaven and on earth. We do not shrink back in fear, rather in faith we move forward to show people the love of Christ and share the good news of Jesus Christ, making disciples of all the people groups.
Three: We speak the Truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). We speak with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15,16). Our message is seen as offensive (Mark 8:31-33) and foolish (1 Corinthians 1:18) by a lost world, but we know that it is the power of salvation for all who believe (Romans 1:16). We share a message that is offensive because the cross of Christ is offensive. Yes, our sin is that bad. Yes, it took that sacrifice to atone for our sins. No, we cannot save ourselves and no, there is no other way to be made right with God (John 14:6).
The message is offensive, but we are not to be offensive ourselves.
We speak the Truth and we do so firmly and unapologetically and lovingly. We do not shrink back nor compromise the Message.
Four: We flesh out the gospel in our daily lives. We are to live our lives in such a way that others see Jesus in us, knowing that He will use that witness to draw others into a saving relationship with Him (Matthew 5:16)
Five: Jesus promised us that we would suffer persecution (John 15:20). Christians in America need to come to terms with this. We are not exempt from being hated and or opposed or persecuted.
Six: We pray big prayers. Our God can once more choose to pour out mercy on this land, renew His works in our days (Habbakuk 3:1,2). We intercede for and pray for a fresh gospel movement in our culture.
Seven: We persevere. We run the race well that is set before us and we don't grow weary of doing good (Galatians 6:9, James 1:12).
Eight: We live in light of eternity. This world is not our home (Matthew 6:19-21; 1 Peter 2:11,12; Hebrews 11:13).
Nine: We live for God's glory, not for ourselves (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Ten: We only fear God. Fear of man is a snare (Proverbs 29:25; Matthew 10:28).
Yes, our culture is wrestling with darkness, with evil. This is, however, the time God has given us here. We are here for 'such a time as this' (Esther 4:14).
May we run the race well that is set before us and encourage one another to do the same.
Grace to You,
Pastor Kevin