confronting culture: diagnose, confess, repent
This post has been a long time coming. The context for this post is for us in America, and much of this can really be taken to heart by those who might consider themselves Christians. This doesn't mean that if you don't, there won't be things in here for you to chew on and consider as well. I want this to be as profitable for as many people as possible. Just as a warning, this very well may step on some toes.
First, there are several different societal problems that I'd like to address. I've associated them with several different sins that I find to be prevalent and/or widely accepted in our culture, but not by God. This means we're off the mark as a society, and we need to acknowledge where we are in order to get to where we need to go. We’ll then wrap up with some good news.
Societal Problems
The societal problems I'd like to address are as follows: calling evil good and good evil, forgetting how to blush, a disregard for childrearing, and an oversized trust in the kings of men. Let's not waste time. Here we go.
CALLING EVIL GOOD AND GOOD EVIL (ABORTION)
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness, who substitute bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter.
Isaiah 5:20
Over 60 million. That's the number of legal abortions committed in America since the Supreme Court's decision to allow abortions in this nation. I use the word "committed" on abortion, since we use the same language when someone "commits" a crime. It is a weighty word, one that carries the need for accountability for the one to whom the word is used. I use that word because abortion is indeed a crime, and that crime is murder, in the same sense that it is the intentional, premeditated taking of another innocent human life.
This nation's highest court has betrayed the people of this country. They allowed what the Congress would never have been able to legislate, even today. Our country's people are hotly divided, and a majority position is nowhere near decided. But because the courts took on a role they were never intended to bear, here we are- calling evil good, and good evil.
This kind of thing does not end well, either for individuals or for nations. Be assured, that a wicked person will not go unpunished... (Proverbs 11:21a). God's justice is not forgetful. The accounts are kept with meticulous detail. Abortion is not something that God cannot see. He sees, He knows, He judges. Don't be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows he will also reap (Galatians 6:7). Nothing but the grace of God can wipe this slate clean. More on that later. We have more problems to tackle.
FORGETTING HOW TO BLUSH (TRANSGENDERISM)
"Were they ashamed because of the abomination they have done? They were not even ashamed at all; They did not even know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; At the time that I punish them, They shall be cast down," says the LORD.
Jeremiah 6:15
The LGBTQ+ agenda is sweeping the nation. Tolerance is the banner that his has all been flying under, but we know this is not tolerance in the true sense of the definition. Rather, this "tolerance buzzsaw" seeks to tear down anything- from institution to individual- that dares defy the LGBTQ+ gods by disagreeing in any sense with the movement, which has become increasingly radical by the week. The goalposts aren't just moving, they're building a bigger stadium.
This movement operates on a continuum of insanity, claiming love instead of science, or even common sense. Why should we accept that a man "thinks" he's a woman, but reject a man who "thinks" he's a watermelon? We used to understand this as insanity, and frame these issues as just that- issues. But now, these mental health issues have turned to virtues, and more and more adolescents are competing for the love and approval of their peers by claiming they are what they are not, and they are doing so with the full support of the State and their school Administrators, much to many of their parent's chagrin.
We now live in a time where children can receive lifechanging medications with the urging of the State against their parents wishes. We now live in a time where divorced parents fight legal battles if one parent wants to "change" the gender of their prepubescent child, but the other does not. We now live in a time, where the nominated Assistant Secretary of Health is lauded for wearing little girl costumes in public. This is debased and shameful. Nothing captures the state of affairs as well as Jeremiah 6:15. There is hope to be had, but we must go further down first.
DISREGARD FOR CHILDREARING (AUTONOMY)
Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
Psalm 127:3-5
The life of every living thing is in His hand, as well as the breath of all humanity.
Job 12:10
This issue is a complicated one, and rather than try to tackle all facets of it, I'll focus on just one. Modern American culture tries to operate according to the myth of autonomy. Autonomy defined is simply "self-rule." The lie here is that true autonomy, with self at the center of the universe is impossible to achieve as Job 12:10 so aptly demonstrates. This has not stopped the past few American generations from increasing their sense of autonomy.
I'd like to case this in the simple reality that childrearing has moved to be an afterthought for many American adults. If an American couple gets pregnant, the first hurdle is whether to abort the baby or not. Many choose that option. The second hurdle is whether or not they'll ever have more children. This flies in the face of Psalm 127 outlined above. Children are a blessing, not a curse. A reward, not a punishment. But so many would rather live their lives free from any restraint placed on them. "I'm good," they say, "I like what I've got going for me too much." They've bought the lie that they are their own, but they are not. The earth and everything in it is God's (Psalm 24:1), including people who think they are autonomous. This lie has a practical time limit of repentance- humans can only bear children up till a certain point. Regardless, this too can be repented of, even in old age. The answer to all these problems is the same, and we're getting closer to it.
OVERSIZED TRUST IN THE KINGS OF MEN (LAZINESS)
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.
Psalm 118:8-9
Now we command you, brothers and sister, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother or sister who is idle and does not live according to the tradition received from us...In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: "If anyone isn't willing to work, he should not eat." For we hear that there are some among you who are idle. They are not busy but busybodies.
2 Thessalonians 3:6, 10-11
Ah, yes. The State. That ever-present force in the world battling for our time, money, and loyalty. Many today have given their allegiance to the State, replacing fervor for religion with fervor for Government and politics. This is a fool's errand. First, God rules and reigns sovereignly over all nations, tribes and tongues. He holds them in derision. He is not mocked. So to err by replacing God with Government is an egregious offense. Secondly, the Government is made up of people who are just as fallen and broken as you are, and in many instances, moreso. They are not SuperPeople with powers to do any better than any of us and so to elevate them to that level is foolishness.
The role of the government as Paul lays out in Romans 13 is to reward those who do good, and to punish those who do evil. That's the most basic responsibility of the government here on earth. We have reached a point where people who do good DO have to fear the government, while those who do evil have nothing to fear. When the government does not uphold what God requires of them, then we must not obey them and instead obey God. To put it another way, we must always obey God, even and especially when the Government tells us not to.
But many have abdicated this responsibility. Why? Well, because it's easier. We look to the Government for so much in our society that we have blown all stops in regards to what their God-given roles actually are. We look to them to provide housing, education, food, transportation, social norms and so much more. Why? Because it's easier. It's easier to sit in an office to collect entitlements than it is to hold even an entry level job somewhere. It's easier to stare at the screen and learn what you can say and what you can't than to accidentally offend someone and apologize. It's easier to have them tell you what's healthy, fashionable, good for the environment, and good for your kids than for you to do the research for yourselves. The Government doesn't judge, they just give and give. What people do not realize is that they can give only because they first take. They take from those who are working to give to the ones who choose not to. This isn't justice.
People would rather sit at home and collect stimulus checks than be grateful to have a job. This is where we're at. But Scripture informs us this should not be. We as individuals should care enough about our own households to have dominion over it and to care for it and all who dwell there. This is the basic building block of society. The Government doesn't build society, individuals and families do. And when the individuals and families own their part in society, that's when the society can change for the better. But it's work, and we're lazy.
The Situation
We've talked about the sins of abortion, transgenderism, self-absorbed autonomy, and lazy dependence on the government. But what's all this mean, and why are we even talking about it?
In 2021 America, people are being cancelled for having views that align with historic, biblical Christianity. Think abortion is murder? You're a pro-life wingnut. Think the LGBTQ+ movement is out of control? You're a trans-homophobic bigot. Think you're not the center of the universe? You're holier-than-thou. Think the Government isn't your daddy? You're a neo-con redneck.
So many people I talk to agree with the messages I put out, but come to me privately and say how they're afraid to say anything because they don't want to step on any toes:
I think abortion is wrong, but I'd never tell someone else they can't get one. It's their choice.
I'm concerned about transgenderism being normalized in society. I'm concerned for my children in school, I think girl's and boy's spaces should be clearly distinct, but I'm sure being trans is super confusing and we should figure out how to accommodate them.
I think people should be more responsible for themselves, but I definitely don't want to be accused of hating poor people.
I hate how high my taxes are, but I'd rather have high taxes to make sure people are cared for then give money or time on my own.
We're now in a time where Truth must be fought for harder than ever. We must not allow ourselves to be silenced when it comes to issues that effect our lives, and the lives of our children. We want our kids to live in a righteous society, but if we won't stand for truth and build the society, how can we expect it to happen? We cannot, and we should not. Something has to give. We must have informed convictions and be able to defend them and cut into this nonsense our culture is spewing at us left and right.
How We Win
We've talked about the sins, the situation, now we get to talk about salvation.
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Here we have hope. This is one of my favorite passages to come to when we consider how horrible sin is, and how great a salvation God has prepared for us. We cannot see a solution to the aforementioned problems by looking within ourselves for a way out. No societal change, political schemes, or law on the books can remove the stain these sins leave on the soul. God and God alone can accomplish this- no other answer can suffice, and I will offer to you no other option.
We have to look at these problems in the eye and realize these problems can be defeated in our own lives, and in society. Paul writing to the Corinthians rightly points out that the Corinthian people have done some pretty terrible things, and suffice it to say, we all make that list in one form or another. The list isn't exhaustive, it's representative. It represents all of our evil broken hearts. But Paul makes an enormous pivot in verse 11. He says, And such were some of you. Past tense. You, Corinthians were these things. What changed? Did the Corinthian law change? Did their politicians change? Did their culture change? No. They themselves were washed, sanctified, and justified by the name of Jesus Christ and by the Holy Spirit. And herein lies the fix. The fix for murderous abortion, contrived LGBTQ issues, prideful autonomy, and selfish laziness has always been and will always be the Plan of God for Salvation through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit applied to our account. Always. It will never change. The answer is always found in Jesus Christ.
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
Oh! Precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
-Robert Lowry | Nothing but the Blood
Postscript
There are probably many questions one might have regarding this miracle of salvation, and that is rightly so. The most learned men and women have been pondering this mystery for thousands of years. I'd like to help you come to saving faith- it is quite simple:
If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:9
Paul says in Romans that there's two salvific steps:
Confess with your mouth "Jesus is Lord"
Believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead
When you confess with your mouth, you're agreeing with God about who you are, who Jesus is, and what he's done for you. To confess means "to make avowal or admission of." You're admitting you're a sinful human being, and that comes with a huge cost. God is perfect, you are not. To be reconciled to God, Jesus came to the world to save the world by being offered as the perfect sacrifice for sin. His death on the cross was powerful enough to crush sin and death once and for all. So to confess with your mouth "Jesus is Lord" is to admit those things, and agree with God pertaining to them.
But Jesus didn't just die. He raised from the dead. This means that when he rose, he left sin in the grave, and we can have a newness of life. This is why Paul can say what he did to the Corinthians "And such were some of you," because that is who they were before Christ, but after Christ they were washed, sanctified, and justified before God- declared righteous because of Christ.
That's the three paragraph version. We'd love to connect with you on this if you have questions. Just use the contact form on the About Us page and we'll get back to you, help you find a good church, and get a Bible in your hands. If you'd like to come visit our church, you can find information about Misio Dei Church by clicking the link.
Love God. Change the world. Seize the faith.
Background Photo by Paweł Czerwiński on Unsplash