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Hot topics and controversial issues are not strangers to our American culture. News hits us fast and furious. Somebody says one thing on one news channel and it's likely to be tweeted, retweeted, insta-ed, hashtagged and forwarded on to a wider audience.
Recently, I have wondered what our role as Christians is in this information war. We can't sit silently by singing "Kum Ba Ya" with our fingers in our ears pretending the world around us doesn't exist. I would argue as well that it is unrealistic to engage in every information battle occurring in the war. So we find ourselves somewhere in the middle.
On one hand, we are ambassadors of Christ, completely renewed people who operate out of a different power than our self-will alone. We have experienced the tender touch of a gracious God who has moved mightily and deeply in our hearts. We've tasted grace, experienced truth and felt the depth of conviction that leads to repentance.
On the other hand we live in a broken and hurting world. We are uniquely a part of mankind but uniquely a part of a different family. We are a part of a civilization that rejects God, mocks faith and is becoming increasingly antagonistic to Christianity. We are called to be cities on a hill in this land, lamps that aren't covered by bushels.
How do we reconcile this?
The answer is neither easy nor simple. Ashamedly, I know I can say with great amounts of confidence that the antagonism we face as Christians is equally bombarded back. Whether it’s a street corner, university public platform, or worse, the ever-on, ever-recording, ever-digitizing world of the internet, there is a great animosity that is being portrayed toward Christians and from Christians.
I think we can find some help from Jesus Himself in the Gospel of John. In chapter 13, Jesus is giving instructions to the disciples toward the end of his life. He says, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34-35).
Make sure to note it doesn't read this way: "...By this all people will know that you are my disciples, that you tell all people what you are opposed too."
Before you leave a comment, hear me out. I understand love can be hard sometimes and that true love doesn't always lead to happy tingly feelings. True love leaves us vulnerable because there is strength and depth to it. This is not about how the church should get on the right side of history, compromise and tuck their tales between their theological legs and coward off to our homes. No, there are so many God-honoring things we are called to stand for and against in Scripture. God desired for our hearts to be Humbly Submitted and our minds to be Biblically Formed. So let Scripture be a catalyst to that and to God-honoring life change.
This is not about step 1, step 2, step 3, but an examination of effectiveness and strategies. How are they rooted? I have yet to see someone come to faith by the comment-for-comment battle below some news site's article. I have yet to see someone opposed to the things of God and living in rebellion against Him look at the icon you posted on your Facebook and experience the grace of God.
Jesus said ALL people would know that you are a disciple by your love. Is that what people would say about you? If I went into your workplace and asked your co-workers about you, what would they say? If I went into your home and talked to your children, how would they respond? Would your neighbors label you with the trait of love?
I hope so.
Let's be a people and a church that strives for that kind of reputation in this world. Let's be known for our love, above and beyond being known solely for what we are opposed to.