Christian Living in the Modern World

   Each and every day I find myself utterly dismayed at the degradation of the moral and social climate of our beloved country.  Each and every day, as a nation, we find ourselves further and further from Jesus.  In the modern age, all the things that were morally AND socially rejected a mere 60-70 years ago, are today not only accepted, but promoted.  It is safe to say that our country has lost its way.
     Many things that are blatantly sinful are now accepted in the name of inclusiveness and political correctness.  White men are told that, by the very nature of their existence, they are oppressive and racists.  Some ethnic groups are told that they are not accountable for themselves or their actions because of the oppression experienced by their ancestors.  Our children are taught that there is literally no difference between men and woman, and that sex is just a frame of mind (not inclusive to anatomy).  They are taught that homosexuality is something to be celebrated, not frowned upon.  Even more disturbing is the fact that an individual can now "identify" as anything they wish.  A man can be a woman.  A woman can be a man.  There are actually certain circles of people that now claim that pedophilia should not be a crime because, hey, you cannot help who you are attracted to.  We now have men competing in women's sports and using women's restrooms.  We have parents that are giving hormone blockers to their very young children because little 5-year Tommy says that he wants to be a girl when he grows up.  We are now supposed to ask someone their preferred pronoun instead of "assuming" their gender based on obvious anatomy and gender characteristics.  Terms like Mother's Day and Father's Day are now frowned upon and are considered exclusive.  Statues, school names, flags, and even national landmarks are being erased because somewhere at some point in history, someone said or did some thing that someone somewhere MIGHT find offensive.  Yes, it is absolutely a sad state of affairs.  The things that used to be right are now wrong, and the things that were once wrong are now considered right.  Finally, and to the detriment of all, God has been removed from nearly everything.  I believe that we can establish a trend here with little difficulty.  Our modern world suffers from the same calamity that plagued the ancient world…sin.  This is not just an American problem, but one that affects the entirety of the world of mankind.
     And what of Biblical prophecy?  The truth, sad or otherwise, is that these things have been predicted in the Bible, the holy Word of God.  Jesus said, "Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they built; but on that day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.  Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed" (Luke 17:28-30).  Lot lived in a Jordan Valley city known as Sodom.  Along with Gomorrah, God destroyed these cities due to their absolute wickedness.  
    What were the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah?  One of the most common was that of sexual immorality.  The Apostle Jude states, "as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire" (Jude 1:7).  What Jude, Paul, and other Biblical writers called sexual immorality; we now call "alternative lifestyle." Though it may roll off the tongue a bit easier, it does not change the nature of these practices and therefore cannot negate what they truly are…sinful.
     Sadly, the sins of these cities did not end there.  In Ezekiel 16, God spoke to Judah; "As I live," says the Lord God, "neither your sister Sodom nor her daughters have done as you and your daughters have done.  Look, this was the iniquity of you sister Sodom: She and her daughters had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.  And they were haughty and committed abomination before Me; therefore I took away as I saw fit" (Ezekiel 16:48-50).
     These cities were not only sinful, but they were also PROUD, and PROUD of their sin.  They flaunted their sin in the face of God.  This brings to my mind something ironic.  Two weeks ago, our small-town municipal park played host to the first ever "Franklin-Simpson Community Pride Festival."  I want you, dear reader, to see the parallels here.  These two TOWNS (community) were proud (pride) of their sinfulness.  They celebrated it (festival).  Community Pride Festival. These ancient cities took that which was right and made it wrong and that which was wrong and made it right.  Can we see the irony in all of this?
     What of the "leaders" in this modern age of inclusiveness and correctness?  Listen to what God said about the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem in the book of Jeremiah; "Also I have seen a horrible thing in the prophets of Jerusalem: they commit adultery and walk in lies; they also strengthen the hands of the evildoers, So that no one turns back from their wickedness.  All of them are like Sodom to Me, and her inhabitants like Gomorrah" (Jeremiah 23:14).  I refuse to name names, but I can think of, well, many of our political leaders that walk in lies.  Sadly, it would seem that many of our leaders today also "strengthen the hand of the evil doer."
     I can already hear the collective groan and indignation of many of our fellow citizens.  "You are a bigot, a misogynist, a close-minded Bible lover.". A bigot?  No.  Misogynist?  Not even close. Racist? Nope (in fact, as a Native American this one often tickles me). Bible lover?  YOU BET.  It is now the norm in our society to shout down, shut down, and "cancel" anyone who disagrees with the new standard of the moral and acceptable.  First, they assign you an irrational label (racist, homophobic, etc.) and then they attempt to remove your platform.  That’s ok.  One can call me whatever they wish; I will never fail to stand on God's principles.  I will never forsake an opportunity to share the love and saving grace of God, made possible by the sacrifice of my Lord Jesus Christ.  Bible lover?  Christian radical?  I will wear these labels proudly.  Jesus loved (loves) me radically enough to die for me.  I will not be silenced in fear of the wrath of the new world morality police.  In fact, Jesus declared, "Therefore whoever confess es Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.  But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 10:32-33).
     So here is what is what may be the biggest misconception that the non-believers have as it relates to Christian beliefs: if you do not accept one’s behavior or lifestyle, you must hate them.  This could not be further from the truth.  In fact, Jesus called us to love everyone, including the lost sinner.  What He did not say was "in order to love them you must accept their sin.". Therefore, my dear reader, allow me to say that though I do not endorse the sin of any that fall into the categories we have discussed today, I absolutely LOVE the person.  Why?  Because Jesus also loved me when I was nothing but a lost sinner.  The truth is that we are all sinners.  The apostle Paul wrote, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).  The only difference between a saved Christian and a lost sinner is Jesus.  I realized one day my brokenness.  My eyes were opened to the fact that I had been separated from God.  I knew I needed a Savior.  I realized I needed Jesus.  Therefore, I still call the lost sinner my friend.  My brother.  My sister.  Yes, dear ones, it is possible to dislike the sin while loving the sinner.
    So, my fellow Christians, what do we make of all of this?  What are we to do?  Are we living in the end times, as it would certainly appear that we have returned to the days of Sodom and Gomorrah?  I will start by addressing the last question.  It is absolutely possible that we could be living in the final days.  It is also possible that there may be another millennium (or more) to go.  If someone were to ask me for my personal opinion, I would likely say yes.  The truth is that it doesn’t matter.  We should be living as if Jesus is coming back any second!  As Christians we are supposed to be Kingdom minded.  We yearn for heaven and fellowship with Christ.  Yet, as long as we are here there is work, important Kingdom work, to be done.  We should be sharing the Gospel with the lost.  Leading the sinner to the Savior.  Standing and living upon God's principles instead of cowering in our stained-glass sanctuaries.  Whether Jesus comes back tomorrow or 500 years from now, our lives are short.  We have a short amount of time to accomplish as much as we can.  I am decidedly committed to doing as much as I can for Christ, with whatever time I have.  As such, time has no real meaning to me.  It shouldn't for you either.
     Lastly, what are we to do?  Love people.  Share Jesus with everyone!  Boldly proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ directly into the darkness of a morally corrupt world!  Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you in your work for the Kingdom of God.  Love your neighbor.  Help your brother.  Carry your sister.  And pray for EVERYONE.  
     To my friends, family, brothers and sisters that remain lost in sin.  I beseech you, implore you, search your heart!  Search your mind.  Take off your blinders and accept the reality of what Jesus offers to all.  Forgiveness.  A new heart.  Eternal life with Him.  Yes, I know that world corrupts and is evil, for Satan (for a short time) has been giving the power to corrupt and destroy.  But you need not be destroyed with it.  True love, hope, joy, and peace can be yours today.  Turn to Jesus and accept His offer of Salvation.  Find a Bible.  Find a church.  Find a Christian.  Let us pray for you, or better yet with you!  Listen to the words of the apostle Peter; "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).  Jesus is waiting for you right now.  This hour.  This minute!  Do not wait for we do not know what tomorrow holds.  
     My beloved readers, my fellow brothers and sister in Christ, I am in fact scared for the future of our country and our world.  Yet, I am NEVER found without hope because my hope is not found in the world.  It is found is Jesus, and He has overcome the world.  Remember, my fellow traveler, that we are but mere visitors to this current earth and the current world.  This is not our destination.  My finality is determined not by this world, but through Christ.  So, stand bold.  Stand firm in Christ.  Walk and live in faith.  Love people.  Seek God. Have hope.  Remember Jesus' words; "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
 
With Love in Christ,
​Bro. John