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Shine in the Midst of a Crooked and Perverse Nation



  "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light because his deeds were evil. For everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." --John 3:19-21

We cannot expect those who don't believe physical truth to accept spiritual truth, yet we, as Christians, shake our heads in disappointment when our lost society embraces sin. The fact of the matter is that their conformity to sinful standards should be expected. No greater examples of this can be given than recent news headliners Bruce Jenner, Rachel Dolezal and our Supreme Court.

Here's the physical truth: Bruce Jenner is a man. Rachel Dolezal is white and our Supreme Court justices are not law-makers. Jenner was created a man. Dolezal was created white. The Supreme Court was created to interpret laws-- not make them. Despite these indisputable facts, people now believe Jenner is a woman, Dolezal is black and the Supreme Court justices are law-makers... all because they say they are. This is nothing more than rejection of truth. A product of moral relativity-- the idea that each person is responsible for deeming what is right and wrong for himself without using a moral compass. More than just accepting these fallacies as truth, the lost masses have embraced and praised these individuals as heroic leaders who bring awareness to their cause.

It is easy to understand why the Christian sulks following public displays that reject physical, obvious truths, including the disappointing Supreme Court rulings on Obamacare and homosexual marriage. Admittedly, I was also in the camp of discouragement. What are we to do, when the darkness of this present world distorts the truth?

The Apostle Paul encourages us in Philippians 2:14-16. "Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain."

We are to shine

We have the truth. We adhere to the physical truths that surround us because we understand and embrace the spiritual truths of God's Word. These spiritual truths can only be understood after salvation. The only way the lost world will ever see a matter in a spiritual context is for them to "come to the light." Our job is not to judge the lost, rather we are to be a light for Christ that they may come to Him. Let us be loving. Let us shine the light of the Savior. But how? By "holding forth the word of life." All the answers to man's problems are found in the Bible. We must read it, meditate on it, memorize it, study it and make it the basis for every response to worldly issues. In scripture we find not only the answers to these questions, but we also find the manner in which we should present those answers-- with boldness, with love, with compassion, with understanding, etc.

Being effective lights

John 3:21 implies that those who have been saved will separate themselves from the darkness. Truth doers "come" to the light. Separation is the key. We are not to stay in darkness once we have found the light. A Christian should eliminate all ungodly influences and affiliations in his life. It may seem contradictory to be separated according to the above verse in Philippians 2 where we are instructed to "shine as lights in the world," but we must distinguish between being in the world and being of the world. We are not to be of the world. In other words, we are not to do the sinful things normalized and accepted by those worldly influences. Getting us to conform to socially accepted "norms" is the goal of those residing in darkness. Conversely, we are to behave in a biblical manner despite the social acceptance of such sinful actions.

Here's an example of biblical separation...I was amazed at how many brands and companies voiced their support of the Supreme Court's decision on gay marriage. The local news showed tweets and Facebook posts from many Fortune 500 companies that endorsed the decision. (I've always wondered why certain businesses felt compelled to voice their political positions on social issues. I didn't know it was necessary to run a business.) What would happen if everyone who claims salvation were to stop doing business with all the companies that publicly embrace sin? It would send a message. The loss of revenue would make them think twice about supporting divisive social issues. That lack of support would quiet the movement. Remember, abstaining from doing business with a company that voices support of sin is not the same as relocating yourself and your family to a log cabin in a remote corner of Montana. Biblical separation is removing the link between you and the sin, not removing yourself to a place of seclusion. Remember that a light shines brightest in darkness. It's hard to see any light when darkness is absent.

Conclusion...

We cannot expect the lost to discern spiritual truths when they can't even discern physical truths. They have lost the cognitive ability to recognize either. Our response must not be one of judgment. We must remember to view them as they are... sinners who sin. Our response to their sinful behavior shouldn't be mean-spirited or harsh, rather we are to show love and shine as lights for Christ by holding forth God's Word. Being that light to them should be our only objective, for it is their only hope.
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