The
Christians Role in a Declining Culture
Very few
times in history has the personal ministry of God‘s servants been needed more
than today! These are not normal times! It would seem that the world around us
is falling apart at the seams and that the influence of the devil is more
prevalent than ever. Everywhere we look, we are confronted with the reality that
we live in very troubled times.
The world is
rejecting traditional Judeo/Christian values like never before. Principles that
were once regarded as virtuous are now considered, by many, to be narrow minded
and unrealistic. Humanity seems to be living more recklessly. The notion of a
Higher Power is seen as naive. Humanity is becoming openly hostile toward
people of faith. To publicly bear the name Christian, once a high and noble
claim, is to risk holding one’s self up to ridicule, even shame in today’s
world.
World Politics
The politics
of the world are changing as well. I am not referring to partisan politics,
rather I am pointing out that radical factions in the world have developed
philosophies that are bringing, or at least seem to be bringing, civilization
to its knees.
Political
terrorism, once confined to a few areas of our globe, has now become a
worldwide problem. The conflicts we face seem to be absolutely senseless. The
global community is facing a type of radicalism that it rarely has seen before
and it is not difficult to conclude these are not normal times. This radicalism
has claimed the lives of millions of people and there is no end in sight.
Church Conflict
Even the
Christian Church seems to be in crisis. The absolutes we find in Scripture are
being called into question. The divinity of Jesus; the requirements of
salvation; the virgin birth; Christ’s atonement on the cross; even His very
existence are being challenged within some factions of the Christian community.
Adultery,
illicit and deviant sexual behavior, truthfulness, character and integrity are
seen within the context of a relative philosophy.
Behaviors,
once thought to be in violation of God’s law, are now deemed acceptable under
certain relative circumstances.
I believe
the Gospel message is needed today more than at any other time in history! Yet,
if the Gospel is to be heard then it must be brought by God’s people who are
remaining faithful to its message.
World Conditions Predicted
Our
Scripture is taken from Jude 17-23:
“But, beloved, remember ye the words
which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that
they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after
their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having
not the Spirit. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy
faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking
for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have
compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of
the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now unto him that is
able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence
of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and
majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen” (KJV)
For the
purpose of this study, I would like to concentrate on these verses. They speak
very directly to the condition of the world today. It refers to mockers in the
last time, those last days before Christ’s coming.
Yet, there
is a sense in which Christians should not be surprised as we look at the
circumstances of our modern world. After all, the Bible has predicted that, as
we get closer to the second coming of Christ, the condition of the world will
deteriorate.
One of the
concerns that I have, however, is that Christians will develop the attitude,
“Oh well, there’s not much we can do about it anyway!” It is true that the
things predicted in Scripture will come to pass. However, this should not be
cause for Christians to abandon the mission they have been given. That mission
is to reach the lost of this world for Jesus, the Christ!
Even in the
midst of evildoing and sin, there remains the need for the Gospel to be
preached. Perhaps it would be better to suggest that especially in the midst of evil and sin! The Gospel message must
be raised above the clamor of the world so as to save them that would receive
it. Only the power God can positively impact these conditions. These are not
normal times!
God Will Use His People
Because of
this, Christians must respond to the hearkening call of the Great Commission.
If we believe that Jesus is coming again, and if we believe that He is the only
means by which men might be saved, then we cannot shrink from our
responsibility. If our desire is to be used of God, then our responsibility is
to allow God to use us! We must avail
ourselves of every opportunity to share God’s love with a dying world.
Courage in the Face of Opposition
Additionally, we must be willing to do it in
the face of significant opposition from those who are determined to silence God
and His people. Of course, we know that God cannot be silenced. He will not be
silenced! He will continue to use those who make themselves available under
these most difficult circumstances.
I realize
that one of the great unexplained mysteries of the Bible is why God chooses to
use humble humanity at all. He could just ‘will’ peace on earth if He desired
to. He could wipe out all adversaries with the stroke of His mighty hand. I
don’t pretend to understand why God has chosen humanity as his instrument to
communicate to the world. All I know is that He has.
This reality
requires that we be faithful and courageous in the face of mounting
difficulties. After all, the Bible says, “but with God all things are
possible.” (Matthew 19:26, NIV)
How Did We Get Here?
I would like
to take a quick look at Jude 16 which says, “There
are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth
speaketh great swelling words, having men‘s persons in admiration because of
advantage.”
When men
complain and seek their own interests, they do so to promote their own position
in this world. They seek their own advantage and this is demonstrated by their
behavior. In large measure, this behavior has led us to the current state of
affairs in the world today!
As we
examine history, we discover that world conflict arises when humanity is
seeking its own advantage. Wars are fought to gain the upper hand over one or
more groups of people. At times it is geographic expansionism that drives
conflict so as to increase the power and influence of the aggressors. Men are
at variance with each other for the purpose of financial gain. Often, radical
ideologies drive discord among the people of the world. Wars have even been
fought over religion, including those fighting in the name of Christianity.
Can There Be Any Hope For This World?
The question
must be asked... Is there any hope for this dying world? The answer is clear in
Scripture; our hope is in Jesus Christ! Our hope is in His goodness. Our hope
is in the truth that good will eventually vanquish evil. If we truly expect to
be used of God, then we must hold steadfastly to this truth. God conquers all
adversaries, in His own time!
I am
reminded of the hymn, “My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus blood and
righteousness.” (Edward Mote, 1797-1874) Our hope is in a God who will be
victorious, regardless of the current state of world affairs.
Where Do We Begin?
So then, how
should Christians be going about doing the will of God under these
circumstances? You may be asking yourself, how can I stop terrorism or how can
I change the hearts and minds of my fellow human beings? You can’t. But God,
using you, can!
Are We Really at War?
First, we
must acknowledge that we are in a battle. Each of us, as God’s representatives
in this world, is called to a spiritual warfare that is every bit as real as
human conflict. Now, there is a tendency within some segments of the Church to
eliminate, or at least minimize, the use of militaristic language in both the
spoken word and song. I am not sympathetic to this movement. Christians must be fully aware that all wars in history pale in
comparison to the spiritual war we are fighting against sin and the Evil One.
For many
years we have sung the Christian hymn, “Onward Christian soldiers, marching as
to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before…” (Sabine Baring-Gould,
1834-1924). While this imagery may be distasteful to some, it does reflect
biblical teaching. This spiritual conflict is a war and, like all wars, must be
fought with great intensity, purpose and diligence.
We are ‘Soldiers without Swords’
Once we
realize there is a spiritual world crisis, it will become clear how important
our responsibility really is. We are called to vanquish evil; not with the
modern weaponry of this world, but with the love of God! We are ‘Soldiers without
Swords’ who are armed with the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit.
We do not
seek to destroy God’s creation, but to save it!
We Are Called to Change the Hearts of
Men
Every day
people are passing into eternity without the knowledge of Jesus Christ as their
Savior. Some have not yet heard the message, while others have heard and
rejected it. One thing is for certain, however; God has called us to bring the
message of His love to this chaotic world. It is this message of love and
compassion that will change the hearts of those who accept it. That is what God
does! He changes the hearts of the penitent. He gives them new purpose and
direction. He brings a new understanding of life’s value. When God changes
hearts, a behavioral transformation takes place! That is how Christians, with
the power of the Holy Spirit, will change the world around them.
No, these
are not normal times! The circumstances of our day call for action on the part
of all of God’s people. Christians believe that on the day of Christ’s second
coming, the final victory will be achieved. While we do not know the exact hour
or time; we can be sure that He will come
again! In the meantime, like the disciples when sent to Jerusalem, we must
pray and work without ceasing.
