Are you scared, Christian?
Are you worried telling someone about your faith in America will now cost you something? Respect, civility, friendships, family.
The Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage fell like a hammer blow on the anvil of American democracy. New revelations around Planned Parenthood doing things consistent with what they believe, selling parts of dead babies, have surfaced this week. America is being reshaped before our eyes, and Christians are increasingly an annoying minority to the culture.
So I say again; are you scared, Christian?
Why?
The two polarizing things mentioned above are evidence of moral decay. They are evidence that America is not a “Christian nation.” They point to the loss of cultural influence and power that Christians have enjoyed for a long time.
Some advocate a withdrawal from culture. Some advocate a continuance of vigorous debate. The news is full of stories related to this new moral orthodoxy, one in which the Christian may find it hard to move.
Stay The Course
Don’t be frightened into hiding.
Don’t run away from your faith in Christ.
Don’t light a lamp and hide it under the bed.
Stay the course. Your calling was never to comfort and ease in this life. Christ promised us tribulation in this life, not ease. He bookended that promise of tribulation in an exhortation to trust Him. “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Our hope should never be in this world and it’s comforts. Our hearts should not rest on what our friends, family, and the culture at large thinks of us. The eternal home of your soul does not rest on the approval of man but on the approval of God through the grace of Jesus Christ in his atonement on your behalf. Have you repented and believed on Him?
The road may now get bumpy. It may some day get dangerous. It may even become deadly. It isn’t right now. Whatever this road of faith brings we know the destination. No matter how uncomfortable, painful, or sad this may get we know where we are going. “Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.”
Into Exile
When the Israelites were conquered, their temple destroyed, and they were marched out of their homeland that was promised to them by God, I imagine the despair and sorrow ran deep. I can almost see furrows in the road made by the tears of Israelites as they were ripped from God’s promises. Or so they thought.
Are we entering a period of exile in our own land? Perhaps. Maybe we need to start thinking like exiles in a foreign land who knows nothing of our God. Consider who sent the Jews into exile, and his command to them.
“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” (Jeremiah 29:4-7)
Do not withdraw. Do not destroy. Seek the welfare of the city? How can we do that when our cities would not have us?
Be faithful and obedient Christians. Do not pull back, press in. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Love your neighbor as yourself.
“Platitudes!” some may cry. “All you give us are platitudes!”
I hope not. I hope I’m reminding you to do what God says in His word. I hope scripture reminds us to trust Him and obey Him.
“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
Go in the power of God. Love everyone, including those who hate you and persecute you. Exercise self-control and put sin to death in your body. Show the love of Christ to a world that doesn’t believe or submit to Him.
“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
