It’s upsetting! Worse than that; it can irritate, anger, and even drive you to say and do things that are pretty much “out of character” for a Christian!
What am I talking about? Life in a culture and “era” that seems to be “post-Christian” (the terminology popularized by Francis Schaeffer and others). But it goes deeper than that… We live in a time when devoted Christians are marginalized, scorned, silenced and outright persecuted! You hear the stories and perhaps you’ve been the object of some of the derogatory, dismissive, and downright unjust actions of a pagan world! …And that’s in a part of the world that has touted “freedom of speech” and “freedom of religion!” Hey, it can make you “downright mad!”
All of that to get at this… I’ve spent the past several days during my time of “coffee with the Lord” reading 1 Peter in the Bible – an apostolic letter written to scattered persecuted Christians in “Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia (the modern area we would largely refer to as Asia Minor). Talk about being marginalized, scorned, silenced and persecuted, these Christians who were living in a pagan world experienced it!
So I’ve got a bit of a project for those who will accept it… I urge you to read 1 Peter (five chapters – but especially chapters 1:13 – 5:11) and think about (identify really) how Apostle Peter urges these believers to live in a culture largely antagonistic to the gospel. Think about how he urges them to behave and what he indicates will increase their influence and maximize their message in the face of resistance, marginalization and persecution.
My hunch? I think it will challenge you (as it did me) and perhaps lead to a change in your strategy! I’m convinced many Christians are ignoring Peter’s advice and instead using aggressive militant strategies to impact their culture! Political combat has become more important than Christlike character. My “rights” declared and defended more than a message of “reconciliation” and “love for enemies” modeled in Christ’s name. What did I discover Peter claimed would be affected? … My personal life and testimony, my home and marriage, the marketplace, and the “body of Christ” – the “Church.” Listen, I’ll have to have the Holy Spirit’s help managing my mind, my mouth, my heart and attitudes, and finally my behavior in a pagan world!
Hey, If you accept my challenge, I think you’ll find it transformative – and effective – as we seek to represent Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit in our culture!
Coffee With The Lord 