The Benedict Option and the State of the Church

A serious, sobering, and important conversation about the North American church in our age of cultural upheaval.  Rod Dreher's message deserves careful, prayerful consideration.

The Ends of the Earth

J. D. Greear shares an amazing report from a remote setting in Asia--a story that shows God's missionary heart for all the people groups, and the way he transforms lives and plants his church in connection with the witness of his people!

Russia Muzzles Church

"Under the guise of implementing “anti-terrorism” measures, Russia has adopted new laws that restrict religious freedom and criminalize missionary activities."  See Joe Carter's article on this chilling development.  And pray for the advance of the Gospel despite all obstacles.

The Vatican Says No to Evangelizing Jews

Bernard Howard has written a helpful article reviewing the recent (and misguided) assertion of the Vatican that evangelism of the Jewish people will no longer be conducted or supported.  Howard rightly reaffirms the basic biblical teaching that faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord is necessary for salvation for Jews and for everyone else.

Culture Wars, Religion, and Today's Turmoil

Kevin DeYoung's recent post, "Thinking Theologically about Islam," lays out helpful baseline commitments that Christians are urged to accept and agree upon.  They fall under the headings of "identity," "faith" and "welcome." 

Syrian refugees come ashore in Greece

The Rising Tide from Samaritan's Purse on Vimeo.

Samaritan's Purse shows us a glimpse of what's happening on the shores of Lesbos, a Greek island just some six miles from the Turkish mainland.  Watch and pray.

Christian Presence in this World

After 9/11 the Elders at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis endorsed an article by their pastor, John Piper, on how Christians should relate to people of other faiths.  Today, in the wake of the recent Paris attacks, these are helpful, thoughtful words well worth our prayerful reflection.

Chick-fil-A and Culture Wars

Amidst the ongoing “culture wars” and the ever-escalating clash of conservative and liberal value systems and political agendas in our polarized times, and as we charge ahead to a November election, I’d like to offer followers of Jesus a challenge.

But before I do, let me say what I’m not saying.  I’m not here to advocate supporting any political party or some particular legis­la­tive initiative, nor do I intend to tell anyone how to vote.  Instead, I’d like to encourage you on an entirely different wavelength.

Now about the culture wars—and I’m thinking of last week’s fracas over Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy’s com­ments about homosexuality, as well as the vigorous push-back by pro-gay voices.  We could discuss what Mr. Cathy said, and we could debate what a corporate executive should and shouldn’t say publicly when it comes to his/her beliefs (when do you speak for yourself, and when do you represent the company?).  And we could discuss the range of reactions to his comments, from the reasonable to the ridiculous.

And, of course, we could discuss what the Bible says on the topic—namely, that homosexual practice is contrary to God’s will (so, e.g., Romans 1:26-27; 1 Cor 6:9-10; see www.robgagnon.net for some careful attention to the Bible’s teaching).  Scripture’s message is quite clear, so those who regard the Bible as God’s inspired and authori­tative Word should have all the guidance they need when it comes to the question of homosexual activity.  But that’s not my topic.  I’m approaching the situation from another angle.

I want to probe beneath the surface of these recurring cultural scuffles and examine the implicit (and sometimes explicit) vision for Western society held by many professing Christians—namely, that what we really want to see is a world adhering to traditional, con­servative morality; and that what’s really bringing ruin upon humanity is how people are straying away from such practice.  If only we could do something to bring about (or return to?) a moral utopia here and now in which popular culture truly embraced God’s standards of sexual morality!

But is that God’s vision?  And is that the church’s mission in God’s world?  Here’s my challenge:  don’t set your heart on establishing a morally tidy culture.  Don’t let your imagination settle for that dream.  After all, such a vision is way too small—plus, that goal is way off target from where the Lord has directed his church. 

After all, even if we could somehow persuade every person in North America to abide by conservative morals and affirm tradi­tional marriage and practice sexually purity, if in the process we failed to win their hearts and minds to authentic faith in Jesus Christ, we would have won the battle but lost the war. 

I’m reminded of debates from over a century ago about the social gospel when D. L. Moody raised a valid question:  what good is polishing brass on a sinking ship?  What eternal gain would there be in producing a squeaky clean society if people did not also, first and foremost, come to see their sin and grieve over their rebellion against an all-holy Creator and run to the Savior for amazing mercy and forgiveness and life and adoption into the forever-family of the Heavenly Father? 

Someone might answer that question by saying there would be gain—it would be positive to help people at least lead moral lives even if they don’t embrace Jesus.  But would it?  That kind of “good” influence actually does great harm:  it gives the spiritually lethal impres­sion that by performing well and acting uprightly and doing good deeds and staying clean, people can tip the balance of divine favor to their advantage.  And such human-centered, pride-fueling theology is a heresy the New Testament resoundingly rejects (e.g., Eph 2:8-9; Gal 2:16; Rom 3:24; 2 Tim 1:9).

Are we at risk of giving the world the impression that our grand passion in life is to tell people, “Clean up your act”?  Don’t get me wrong:  societal rejection of godly morality in our day is a serious problem with far-reaching conse­quences (e.g., unstable relationships, rampant lone­liness, disintegra­tion of marriage, broken families, impoverished children).  We want to love people away from those traumas.  BUT we don’t love them truly, genuinely, unless we point them to the eternal Lover of their souls.  Frankly, social reform pales in impor­tance compared to the heart response of faith, of trust, in Jesus Christ, who came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10; John 3:16).  And yet, when God goes to work transforming believers from the inside out, good deeds follow—including moral purity! (e.g., Gal 5:6; Eph 2:10; James 2:14-26; Matt 28:18-20 [“disciples” are taught to obey]).  First things first.

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A Wasted Life?

Check out this video featuring a challenge from John Piper and music from Lecrae:

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Lost

AsiaLink has put together an excellent video to help believers in Christ understand the nature and urgency of His mission:

Lost from AsiaLink HistoryMaker on Vimeo.

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David Sitton visiting our church

I’m delighted that David Sitton is going to be our guest preacher this Sunday at Goshen Baptist Church.

The Lord has grabbed hold of this man's life in powerful ways. If you want to learn about God's work in and through David, read his book, Reckless Abandon. Or visit toeverytribe.org and listen to some messages and read a few articles—it’s exhilarating.

One wonderful place to spend time at toeverytribe.org is in the list of “Mission Quotes.” It’s full of Bible-inspired guidance, passion, joy, warning, encouragement, and FAITH. Chew on these words…

• I know enough about Satan to realize that he will have all his weapons ready for determined opposition. He would be a missionary simpleton who expected plain sailing in any work of God. ~James O. Fraser, 1886-1938, China.
• It is remarkable that God began this work among the Indians at a time when I had the least hope. ~David Brainerd, 1718-1747, Missionary to North American Indians.
• Every step in the progress of missions is directly traceable to prayer. ~A. T. Pierson, Pastor and Author.
• I don’t think we are in any danger, and if we are, we might as well die suddenly in God’s work as by some long drawn-out illness at home. ~Eleanor Chestnut, died in China in 1905.
• I will lay my bones by the Ganges (River) that India will know there is someone who cares. ~Alexander Duff, 1806-1878, India.
• If you are ever inclined to pray for a missionary, do it at once, wherever you are. Perhaps he may be in great peril at that moment. ~Amy Carmichael, 1867-1951, India.
• Don’t wonder whether you have a call to go. Have you had a distinct call from Christ to stay at home? ~George Wilson.
• There is no need for faith where there is no consciousness of an element of risk. ~Elisabeth Elliot.
• I have but one candle of life to burn, and I would rather burn it in a land filled with dark­ness than in a land flooded with lights. ~Ion Keith-Falconer.
• Some wish to live within the sound of a chapel bell. I want to run a rescue mission within a yard of hell. ~C.T. Studd.
• If God has fit you to be a missionary, I would not have you shrivel down to be a king. ~Charles H. Spurgeon.
• He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. ~Jim Elliot.
• Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God. ~William Carey.
• The church that does not evangelize will fossilize. ~Oswald J. Smith.

[ originally posted at www.forthejourney.blogspot.com ]

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John R. W. Stott, 1921-2011

Tributes to the late John R. W. Stott are appearing quickly following his death yesterday (see, e.g., here, and here and here, to name a few; see also the NY Times). It seems many people have tremendously appreciated this gifted, clear-headed, and courageous evangelical pastor.

If there's one thing that has characterized Stott's preaching and teaching, it's CLARITY. Not only was he an outstanding communicator who could make himself understood, but (most importantly) he had a gift for helping students of Scripture recognize the structure and argument and compelling case of countless biblical texts. And yet, his clarity was matched with URGENCY--when you heard him speak, you knew that the Lord and his Word meant everything to this Christ-exalting leader.

I first heard him speak at Urbana '79 where he lectured from Romans 5-8 and helped all of us restless college students stop and pay close attention to God's brilliant Word.

In the 1980s his powerful, penetrating message on leadership (printed as the final chapter in Issues Facing Christians Today) was like a gracious explosion in my life--especially the section on "vision" (unfortunately, I can't dig up the audio of this lecture!).

Stott's commentaries on The Sermon on the Mount and Paul's Letter to the Ephesians are among his many excellent writings that have helped me think carefully about God's coherent and beautiful written revelation.

His passion for mission resulted, among other things, in his service as the primary author of The Willowbank Report of the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization, a pivotal essay on the gospel and culture. His heart for God's world also led him to establish a scholarship program for majority world Christian leaders enabling them to pursue academic training in preparation to teach and lead the church in many places around the globe. Visit the Langham Partnership website and John Stott Ministries for info on the works he founded. Note that several audios of his messages can be accessed at his church, All Souls Church, in London (and see also the MP3 library at Monergism). Amazon lists 109 books for "John R. W. Stott."

I thank the Lord for how he's used John Stott to challenge and encourage me in the study of the Scriptures!

[originally posted at www.forthejourney.blogspot.com]

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Reflections from Billy Graham

The January 2011 issue of Christianity Today included an interview with Billy Graham. He's now 92 and in frail health but still very alert, and he reflects on some weighty things.

When asked what he'd do differently, Graham said he'd study more and preach less. This reminds me of what I heard him say at Urbana '79 (I believe it was in a Q&A session), that if he were starting out in ministry he'd take more time for training and preparation. In the thick of on-the-go ministry, Billy Graham had gained a new appreciation for the value of thorough biblical and theological education. And he wanted restless college students to take that as a challenge.

Back to the CT piece. Another thing he'd do differently is steer clear of politics. He admits that, at times, he crossed that line. He's not suggesting, however, that he would not reach out to leaders in public office--people in high places are sometimes very isolated and need someone to talk to.

And on the topic of aging? Accept it and be content in it--growing old is part of God's plan for your life. Be thankful for each new day, even if you face great hardship in old age.

Graham says more about aging: "As we grow older we should focus not only on the present, but more and more on Heaven. This world, with all of its pains and sorrows and burdens, isn't our final home." I really appreciate this word of wisdom, and yet two concerns come to mind: 1) I don't hear many conversations among believers about heaven--it just doesn't seem to be on people's minds (this is partly my fault, of course); and 2) it's not just in old age that believers should be thinking about heaven--at least, as I see the matter. If we take the biblical pictures and promises of the life to come seriously, the glorious looming reality of "coming home" and reaching our "better country" and (most of all) reveling in the radiant and unveiled presence of the Lord would seem to be so awesome and wonderful that it would preoccupy believers all through this life, not just in the "senior years."

It's vintage Graham when it comes to making evangelism a priority: "But the most important issue we face today is the same the church has faced in every century: Will we reach our world for Christ? In other words, will we give priority to Christ's command to go into all the world and preach the gospel? Or will we turn increasingly inward, caught up in our own internal affairs or controversies, or simply becoming more and more comfortable with the status quo? Will we become inner-directed or outer-directed? The central issues of our time aren't economic or political or social, important as these are. The central issues of our time are moral and spiritual in nature, and our calling is to declare Christ's forgiveness and hope and transforming power to a world that does not know him or follow him. May we never forget this."

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How is your faith?

“How is your faith?” That’s THE pressing question on Paul’s mind as he waits to get word about his dear Christian friends in Thessalonica. Acts records his first visit there (17:1-10)—a short stay in which Paul taught from the Scriptures and summoned the people to entrust their lives to Jesus, the crucified and risen Messiah. Several people were persuaded (both Jews and Gentiles, 17:4) and embraced Christ in faith, and thus was born the church at Thessalonica.

But trouble struck this young body of believers quickly: within weeks of arriving, Paul was forced to leave town. He then proclaimed the Gospel in the next town (Berea), only to be tracked down there by his aggressive Thessalonian opponents. So he sailed 200-plus miles south to Athens, leaving the infant Thessalonian church behind. These were new believers and they were facing intense pressure from the Gospel’s enemies. Paul knew they could be in great spiritual danger.

Eventually he sent Timothy back to check up on them (1 Thess 3:2). Notice that when he did this, the aim was NOT to find out if the persecution has lightened up and the believers were safe and comfortable. No, the key concern was the status of their faith: were they still trusting and resting in the Lord Jesus Christ? Look at 3:1-10: Paul sent Timothy “to strengthen and encourage you in your faith” (3:2); “I sent Timothy to find out about your faith” (3:5); thankfully, Timothy “has brought good news about your faith and love” (3:6); “Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith” (3:7); “Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith” (3:10).

This is the issue that matters. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter if you have a great family or wonderful friends or athletic ability or skill to succeed as a doctor or politician or nuclear scientist. In the end, it doesn’t matter if you’re popular or beautiful or strong or smart, or if your church has big numbers and attractive programs: heart-reliance on Christ is what matters.

Are you trusting Jesus today for saving grace and the sure hope of eternal life? Are you relying on him for reconciliation with the Father and adoption into his forever family? What do you “need” to be content in this universe? Is it enough to know Jesus and rest in his sovereign care? Will you still depend on him and look to him for peace that passes understanding and true meaning in life even when enemies of the Gospel mock and exclude and threaten and assault you? Paul eventually got good news: the faith of the Thessalonians was alive and strong! “How is your faith?”

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Vision and Vista

So much talk in the church about "vision" has to do with practical plans and measurable goals that we can lose sight of this crucial underlying question: just what is it we lay our eyes on as we look forward? Vision as an exercise of faith-driven imagination is vital in the lives of God's people, but just what is it that authentic faith in Christ envisions? What is the object of our attention and energy and passion when Christian vision is operating?

Even though we might list many wonderful tangible outcomes which we trust the Lord to bring about (I'm thinking of everything from mended relationships to ministry funding to new ventures launched to people getting saved), the main vista the Bible calls us to envision--the ultimate object of our heart's and mind's attention--is the Lord God himself. We need to see God! And in fact, to go further, if the soul is not drawn to and moved by "gazing upon the Lord," all other tangible outcomes of vision setting will be hollow. The vertical must be alive and well, or the horizontal will lack life and eventually fizzle.

Hear the Word of God summoning his people to look up into his glorious face:

“I lift up my eyes to you, to you whose throne is in heaven. As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till he shows us his mercy” (Ps 123:1-2).

“Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, ‘Behold your God!’” (Isa 40:9).

“I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Ps 121:1-2).

“One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple” (Ps 27:4).

“My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare” (Ps 25:15).

“But my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign LORD; in you I take refuge…” (Ps 141:8).

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Cor 3:18).

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every­thing that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb 12:1-2).

“Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always” (Ps 105:4).

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David Wilkerson's Urgent Message

Just recently David Wilkerson posted an urgent message.

I have a variety of questions in response to this word of warning, one of which is this: if indeed the New York City megaplex is to be struck with an "earthshattering calamity" and engulfed by a thousand fires from Connecticut to New Jersey, wouldn't it be a fitting response to encourage believers to prepare for this catastrophe by taking measures beyond self-preservation in order to be ready to love their neighbors amidst such tribulations? Wouldn't it be wise to put believers on the lookout for elderly and disabled citizens who would be most vulnerable in the coming chaos? And wouldn't it be appropriate, as a way of loving enemies, to launch Christians out with compassion even for neighbors who oppose Christ and his followers?

Accordingly, something just doesn't sit right about the advice to God's people, "If possible lay in store a thirty-day supply of non-perishable food, toiletries and other essentials." Surely such an ominous threat should also elicit from church leaders an outward-oriented call to loving witness and service.

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Mar. 17: see the recent CT article in response to Wilkerson.

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Brazen Lies

The Bible is crystal clear that Satan is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). In fact, one of the Enemy’s nicknames is “the deceiver” (Rev 12:9), and he’s ready and eager to launch all kinds of disinformation in your direc­tion. Through deceptive propaganda, Satan promotes all kinds of insidious falsehoods. Imagine what some of his grand lies might be:

· “There is no God” [but see Gen 1:1; Ps 14:1; 53:1].

· “‘The devil’ isn’t real” [Matt 4:1-11; 1 Pet 5:8-9].

· “You’re worthless” [Gen 1:27; Ps 8:5; 1 Cor 6:19-20].

· “You have to work harder to get God to love you” [Rom 5:8].

· “This life is all there is” [Matt 25:46; John 3:16; 1 Cor 15:19].

· “Busy-ness is good—go, go, go” [Ps 46:10; Matt 11:28-30].

· “Prayer is a waste of time—not productive” [Luke 11:8; Jas 5:16].

· “If you suffer, God’s failing to do his job” [Gen 50:20; Rom 8:28].

What about some of Satan’s lies related to finances:

· “You need more money to be happy” [Heb 13:5; Phil 4:6, 11].

· “The more you make, the more you should elevate your lifestyle” [Eph 4:28; 2 Cor 8:2; 9:7].

· “Wealthy people are more important than others” [Luke 16:19-31].

· “You’re the true owner of all your possessions” [Ps 24:1; 50:10-12].

How about in connection with sexuality:

· “No harm just looking” [Mt 5:27-30; 6:22-23; Job 31:1; Prov 6:25].

· “If everyone else is doing it, it must be okay” [Matt 7:13-14].

· “Sex before marriage is no big deal” [1 Cor 6:9; 1 Thess 4:3-5].

And in the area of outreach and evangelism:

· “No need to talk about Jesus, just be kind” [1 Pet 3:15; Mt 28:18-20].

· “Sharing your faith is rude” [Acts 8:30-38; 16:31; 17:16-33].

Let’s pray for discernment so we’re not taken in by Satan’s deadly lies!

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God in Action in Acts

The Acts of the Apostles also recounts the sovereign Acts of God. I think back on preaching through this gripping biblical narrative in 2008, and so many of the Lord's mighty deeds come to mind, including:

The dramatic ascension of Jesus up to heaven (1:9); moving of the Spirit, sound of wind, visions of flame, giving of speech in foreign languages (2:1-13); doing of many signs and wonders through the apostles (2:43); healing of man crippled from birth (3:7); saving of 5,000+ to form the Jerusalem church (2:41; 4:4; 6:7); striking down Ananias and Saphira (5:1-11); miraculously freeing Peter and John from prison (5:19); a vision of God in his glory given to dying Stephen (7:55); turn­ing the persecution-driven scattering of believers into Christian mission (8:4); sending the Holy Spirit with power (8:15); navigating Philip to meet the chariot of the Ethiopian and lead him to Christ, and then whisking Philip away (8:26-40); boldly “arresting” Saul on the road to Damascus, blinding him, and transforming his heart (9:1-19); healing of Aeneas (9:32-35); raising Tabitha from the dead (9:36-43); giving coordinated visions to Peter and Cornelius so they’d meet (10:1-43); bestowing of the Spirit upon Cornelius and his household to speak in tongues and give praise to Christ (10:44-48); deliverance of Peter from prison as believers prayed (12:6-11); calling the worshipping Christians at Antioch to set aside Paul and Barnabas for mission (13:1-3); blinding of Elymas the magic­ian (13:4-12); joyful believing by Gentiles who were ordained to eternal life (13:48); granting signs and wonders at Iconium (14:3); healing of a crippled man at Lystra (14:8-10); preserving Paul through stoning (14:19-20); opening a door of faith to the Gentiles (14:27); blocking ministry in Asia to redirect Paul and Silas to Macedonia (16:6-10); opening Lydia’s heart to believe (16:14); sending an earthquake to break open the Philippian prison (16:26); speaking to Paul in a vision to encourage bold witness (18:9-11); tongues and prophecy accompanying baptism of new believers (19:1-7); doing of many miracles through Paul (19:11-17); raising Eutychus from the dead (20:7-12); giving prophecy by Agabus that Paul would be arrested (21:11); the Lord’s appearance to Paul in prison to say he’d testify in Rome (23:11); uncovering the plot to murder Paul (23:16); speaking to Paul on the ship to promise that all would survive (27:22); protecting Paul from a poisonous snake bite (28:5); healing many people on Malta (28:7-10); overall, the spreading of witness (1:8) all over the Roman world and to Rome itself (28:30-31).

Our God is an awesome God! Stand in awe. Bow in wonder.

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The Acts of God

Spending a year preaching through the Book of Acts has been stretching and enriching for me. Along the venture through dark valleys and over spectacular peaks, I’ve noticed some familiar “sights”—recurring patterns, themes, truths. Such as:

· God is sovereign. In fact, he’s so powerful and ingenious that he can even weave hardship and persecution into a beautiful tapestry of church growth and joy-filled spiritual life in the hearts of his people as they scatter to the ends of the earth. Human authorities make their plans, including hostile advances against the church and Christians, but God overrules such rulers at will (e.g., 4:27-28). This book called “The Acts of the Apostles” is, at root, the story of “The Acts of God.”

· Healthy Christians and their churches are forward-moving and outward-oriented, taking the truth and love of Christ to others. That’s the “thesis” of the book (1:8), and it’s the outcome of the story as well: the Gospel is spread all the way to Rome. Spiritual healthy believers don’t circle the wagons and retreat from the world, but instead they step forward as Jesus’ witnesses—in both word and deed. They are sojourners in the “foreign land” of today’s world, not settlers.

· Honest Christian discipleship involves bearing a cross and following Jesus through trials (14:22). Notice that Paul’s in custody and on trial all the way from chapter 21 to 28. Also, he’s repeatedly targeted by would-be killers, and he’s accused over and over even though the charges against him are hollow and contrived. But in spite of this outrage, Paul doesn’t cling to his rights or moan about how unfair it is. Instead, he seizes the opportunity to probe the hearts of adversaries and author­ities, sharing his story of new life in Christ! Paul realizes (as we should too) that trials are really opportunities in disguise.

Amazing stuff, this action-packed, apathy-wrecking, joy-inspiring Book of Acts! I trust that God is feeding your faith as you study and savor his Word (Romans 10:17).

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The Christian and the State

The presidential election is finally upon us. This is a moment when Christians need to think hard about what it means to follow Jesus here and now, in 2008. Let me offer a few key biblical perspectives:

First things first: we’re citizens of God’s kingdom, and our ultimate allegiance is to King Jesus (Rev 19:16). He’s the “Commander-in-Chief” to whom we owe supreme devotion. “Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil 3:20; Heb 9:28). Under the sovereign leader­ship of God’s Spirit, we’re enroute to “a better country, a heavenly one” (Heb 11:16). Today we live as sojourners, not settlers.

And yet, during this earthly journey it’s right to obey the law of the land (Rom 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17). In fact, Christians demonstrate trust in God when they affirm his delegation of authority to the state. Still, such compliance is always conditional: if pressed by human powers to dishonor or disobey our Lord, “we must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29; 4:19) and accept the consequences as “strangers and exiles on earth” (Heb 11:13, 35-38).

Christians should expect to face opposition or even persecution. Our daily trek involves carrying a cross (Luke 9:23); in this world “you will have tribulation” (John 16:33); the world hates Jesus’ people because they (we) “are not of this world” (John 15:19; 17:14); “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim 3:12); “Woe to you when all men speak well of you” (Luke 6:26). Not that we should despair or give up on showing Jesus’ love to neighbors (1 Pet 2:12; 1 Thess 4:12; Jas 1:27): some will be receptive to our witness! In fact…

Christ says we’re “the light of the world” and “the salt of the earth” (Matt 5:13-16)—and light and salt permeate their environments for good. But we can’t be salt and light while retreating from society or hiding away in Christian ghettoes. We’re taught to love our neigh­bors as ourselves (Matt 22:37-40; Luke 10:37), and acts of neighbor love are not just for their benefit in the life to come: we must seek God’s help to spread his material and spiritual blessings here and now as well (Luke 3:11; 1 John 3:17; Matt 11:28-30; John 10:10).

So let’s join in prayer for God’s guidance, even as we vote, to love our neighbors and seek their good.

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