With each passing day the news looks more grim to the Christian living in America. News stories seemingly multiply of Christians who are fired or sued for their faith. Gay “marriage” marches forward state by state as judges legislate from the bench. The demise of the world we thought we knew is now taking shape before us, like a figure emerging from the fog.
Our hearts burn with indignation as sin marches like legion across the land. We yell from the rooftops that these things are sinful! They are an affront to God! Yet our fellow citizens continue marching down this path of destruction and heavenly rebellion. Radios blare with scorn and ridicule. Blog articles are written decrying the end of America. “How could this happen,” they ask. “We need to fight! We must take back America! Don’t let the (insert supposed foe party or movement here) win!”
Is this what we’ve become? People armed with the greatest news in the world have nothing more to do than shout as they’re firmly shooed out the door?
“It’s a lot easier to be indignant than broken-hearted.” Dr. Albert Mohler
When I heard the quote above a few days ago, from the mouth of Dr. Mohler as he gave an address on cultural engagement, I was immediately convicted. I’m an American son, a patriot. I have Army generals and foreign war veterans in my lineage. I’m related to men who stormed Normandy France to defeat Hitler and free Europe. They didn’t fight for THIS America, I thought.
Yet, before all of those things I am a Christian. I belong to God and have a heavenly citizenship in his Kingdom. I am an Ambassador for Christ whose purpose now is to herald the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. How should that line up with my love of my earthly home? Just as Dr. Mohler said; broken-heartedness.
America is not what it was 50 years ago, or even 20 years ago. As Franklin Graham said this past weekend, that America is gone and it’s not coming back. I’m broken-hearted for that. Not only for my desire for a nation who held to a more Biblical view of morality, at least publicly, but also for the rampant flourishing of sin.
It’s ok to be outraged and indignant over sin. Though, I must ask, are you indignant because they have sinned against God or because they don’t follow the rules as you understand them? When Dr. Mohler said the above, I was convicted that my heart was outraged over sin because folks did things I thought they shouldn’t do. It wasn’t primarily because they had sinned against God.
Heart Shift
Should we fight for religious liberty and laws that reflect Biblical morality? Yes. Biblical Morality is what God decrees as his best for our good. His law is what is best for our flourishing, regardless of whether someone believes in him or not. However, let’s not be another cog in an outrage machine that runs constantly. Political talk seems to live and thrive on outrage. Politicians corral a vote based on carefully crafted outrage. They manipulate the heart like a guitarist moves the strings of his guitar. A little pressure here or there, and you get a certain note. Let us not be pawns in their game.
Your heart, if you are in Christ, has been changed. You have been freed from sin and are now servants of Jesus Christ. You are no longer under the law but under grace. Your desire should be for the repentance of unbelievers, and for their faith to be in the Lord Jesus Christ. Your heart has been shifted from bondage to righteousness, to the One who secured that righteousness for you.
Sin is outrageous. It is horrific, vile, and disgusting. It is an affront against God. Let’s stop fooling ourselves that everyone else’s sin is worth being indignant about, and ours alone merits grace. Watching your nation and thus your friends and family disintegrate into sin and lawlessness is terrible. It’s heart-breaking. Don’t let the world, the flesh, and the Devil lead you into indignation and keep you there. Be indignant over sin, but progress forward to it breaking your heart. Indignation, unfocused, leads to sinful anger. Indignation, focused on the holiness and goodness of God, leads to broken hearts and tears over the lost. We are called to go into all the nations, teaching people of Christ, and baptizing them when they believe into the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. There’s no time to sit in our chairs and boil over with anger about this thing or that thing. Incidentally.. remember when He said “ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.” (Matthew 5:22 ESV)
Seems like constant anger and outrage is sinful.
Remember what the writer to the Hebrews said?
“But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.” (Hebrews 10:32-36 ESV)
How does that sit with outrage? It doesn’t. When you’re persecuted, rejoice!
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:10-12 ESV)
