As Christians, should we be in conflict with our culture as part of our effort to be salt and light as Jesus commanded, or should we be trying to live in peace, "If it is possible, as far as it depends upon you"? (Romans 12:18) The question is an important one because our mission of bringing the light of the Gospel to a world living in darkness is far too crucial to be squandered or impaired by our own mistakes. The example of Daniel is useful for us because he was part of a distinct minority in the culture of Babylon. Daniel didn't choose to live in Babylon, but he did choose to make the best of his life in Babylon. Daniel worked hard and was straightforward in his honesty and integrity even though he was working for the government that had destroyed Jerusalem (the Babylonians, who were in turn conquered by the Medes-Persians during Daniel's tenure in Babylon). He was a man who recognized his dependence upon the grace of God, but at the same time did not go out of his way to cause conflict that would have required God's intervention. When Darius was tricked into issuing a decree that was in clear violation of Daniel's ability to worship and obey the God of Abraham, Daniel did the only thing he believed he could as a man whose first allegiance was to God. He did exactly the same thing he had done the day before. Notice, Daniel didn't go out on the street corner to protest this unjust law, even though it clearly was unjust, nor did Daniel hide his disobedience behind closed doors. It was not rebellion against authority that Daniel craved, but obedience to God. Until the moment of this decree, Daniel had lived in peace with his neighbors and the government of Babylon. The consequences of choosing to disobey the king were well known to Daniel, but his trust was in God as the judge of both the living and the dead.
Do we, as Christians in America, a nation where we have the right to vote and protest, follow the example of Daniel? Should we? To seek out conflict with our culture or our government simply to prove ourselves as passionate Christians would be a self-serving motive more in tune with our own pride than with our witness. At the same time, to shrink back before potential hardship would be to abandon the faith that saved you for the sake of convenience. In reality, nobody in America is being threatened with death if they follow Jesus Christ. Nobody in America is being told they cannot proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in person, by print media, audio or visual media, or anything else. It is not laws that stop Christians in America from being true to their faith, but apathy, cowardice, or simply too much wealth and comfort. It is not the outside world that we must be in conflict with in order to bear witness to our Savior, but rather our own sin natures that we must continue to battle. What was the real reason why Daniel disobeyed the law against praying to God? He was already in the habit of praying long before it was illegal.
This blog serves as an outreach for Pastor Randy Powell of the First Baptist Church of Franklin, PA. Feel free to ask questions or send me an e-mail at pastorpowell@hotmail.com
As Christians...we should speak truth...God promises it will create conflict within the culture and that persecution is our future. We don't purposefully set up to create confusion or division for division's sake...but we don't stand down from truth either. The world is looking for the church/the bride of Christ to be different from the world. It SHOULD look different than the world at first glance looking from the outside in. That is not always demonstrated by feeding the poor and ministering to the widow and orphan but also proclaiming truth in the midst of error. We are commanded to be salt. What is salt? Salt actually prevents decay...it prevents someone from eating rotten foot...it stings...but it preserves the good...but only for a time....why....so we can win more souls for Christ by proclaiming the truth of the Gospel. One of the first things we have to proclaim is repentance from sin...a word we hear little about now-a-days. Almost all the apostles ended up being persecuted for not stepping down from the truth that they were given to proclaim. They stood in front of rulers and governments and yes...even religious leaders going against all kinds of culture things. They would not bow the knee either! For most of them their lives ended very publically...and not in a good way except we know that Jesus said in Luke 14:26 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
ReplyDeleteI'd rather error on the side of being SALT & LIGHT and let God work out the details. Just because someone dislikes me...it reminds me my life is not my own! (Heather Mohnkern)
I think perhaps you missed my point. It is not the presence or absence of conflict, per se, that validates our lifestyles. If we are at peace with our neighbors, family, and even strangers are we supposed to be upset and go looking to shake things up in order to feel like we're "edgy" enough as Christians? Likewise, if we're perpetually in conflict with everyone around us, does that mean we're doing the right thing, or could it mean we're just difficult to get along with? Being Salt and Light means doing the right thing no matter what, if that is in conflict with the culture, so be it, but if it doesn't cause waves, that doesn't keep it from being the right thing.
ReplyDeleteI think too many Christians in America are too busy looking for a fight, and not busy enough simply doing Christ's work here on earth amongst the weak and poor. I know that I've been living on the edge for God through the work at Mustard Seed Missions this past year, but I haven't had any fights or arguments as a result. Should I be worried? No, I should be grateful that God has allowed me to serve him without the conflict that too many people are forced to face ALONG WITH the normal cost of doing the right thing.