While we live with our eyes wide open, it’s so easy to want to bury our heads in the sand, and just hope that things will get better. But, here’s the news, it’s not going to get better, we’re not going back to “normal, “and we won’t be the America we grew up in. If we’re in Christ, if we read the Bible on a daily basis, we would understand that the end is near. For the most part, the Church in America has been asleep and it’s time to wake up.
Things have changed – and they’re changing at the speed of light. Our grandparents saw a lot of changes in their lifetimes, but what has happened in the last eight to twelve years, or the last three election cycles, has come at us so fast that it’s causing our heads to spin. Sometimes we find ourselves waking up in a world we don’t recognize. The enemy is moving fast now, but God is moving faster.
Ephesians 5:11-16 NIV
“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: ‘Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’ Be very careful, then, how you live not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”
Wherever light shows up, darkness has to go – it’s dispelled – because darkness and light can’t exist in the same space. To expose darkness is our job. It’s one of our mission assignments from God. As the border wall has been lowered and deconstructed, we’ve had, coming in among us, thousands and thousands of pedophiles, felons, drug cartel leaders, and terrorists, not just a lot of good people trying to make a better life and get the American Dream. Instead, many are coming to destroy it.
We pray for both revival and awakening. We need to be revived in the Church today. Here in America the sleeping giant needs to awaken, as the Church has been marginalized. Culture has strategically removed God from every public square in the land, but if the light of Christ shines on us, there is no darkness that can do its deed.
We need to check ourselves. We are called to be a holy people, set apart, different from the world. We need to live apart and be mindful. We are living in perilous times but the world is not falling apart, it’s actually falling together, and God’s prophetic plan is right on time. The things that we’re experiencing wars, rumors of wars, darkness, debauchery, earthquakes, famines, and floods, everything the Bible talks about are happening right now. It feels like things are falling apart, but God is pulling things together, and he tells us not to be caught off-guard or be found sleeping in the light.
Woke defined
“Woke” can mean prioritizing flashy social displays over real change, shutting down opposing views, and being overly concerned with being politically correct over having open discussions. It implies inauthenticity and a focus on (virtue) signaling over substance. It is political correctness turbocharged to the highest degree through a lens of neo-marxism. It presupposes that there is a capitalist oppressor who victimizes the weak and poor. Therefore, we must take from the capitalist and spread the wealth, opportunities, and privileges among everyone, whether they worked for it, sacrificed for it, or earned it. – John Cooper
We Christians are dangerous to the kingdom of darkness. Neo-marxism, socialism, and communism are infiltrating our culture from the youngest to the oldest. There is a strategy to train our children to disconnect from their parents because the government “knows better” how to raise our children. One of the tenets of Marxism is to break up the family because the nuclear family is considered to be dangerous.
Territory or ground released or given away is hard to retrieve and regain. We, as the Church, for the most part, have had it so easy and soft in America. Persecution was when someone left a negative comment on our Facebook post. There are thousands of followers of Jesus being killed today all over the world, and we have been in our comfort, asleep, lulled into a false sense of security.
The enemy said, “If I can’t take them out, I’ll just make them wealthy and comfortable, and I’ll bring preachers to them that will never challenge them as disciples to do the Kingdom outside of their religious boxes. I’ll create indifference, laziness, and softness, and they will be clueless that anything has happened until it’s too late.”
In the 2020 election, forty million Christians did not vote. They stayed home – asleep in the light. They assumed somebody else would do it and it would all turn out okay – because “God’s got this.” He does, but he has also charged us to do something with it. We have a role to play, a responsibility to fill. There’s something that we are to be doing. There’s a movement in the Church today that has thrown out the word w-o-r-k, as though it was a bad thing.
“You know we don’t do this by ‘works’, so let’s just cut that word out of the Bible.” But, if we do, we’d better get rid of the Book of Acts – and we might as well cut out the whole New Testament, because, at some point, we gave it over to pastors and ministers we paid to do the work of the Kingdom. In reality, their job was to equip the saints for the work of service, to mobilize, motivate, and light a fire under them. God is raising up warriors, people who are going to make a difference, culture shapers, difference makers, and world changers. God wants us to rise up and not just hope that someone else will get it done.
The contemporary church struggles to bring a clear clarion word in a society that is struggling with division and confusion. We need to consider the idea that people of faith are involved in culture. Not as politicians, but as citizens, as neighbors, as classmates, as fellow worshippers, and as family members. We cannot leave our faith outside our kitchen tables, or outside our workspaces, and imagine that we are people of faith. We have maintained that position for too long. There are paradoxes in culture that we can all relate to. There are statements, that when I make them there are labels that come to me very quickly:
If I advocate for unborn children and embrace a pro-life position, I’m called political. If I advocate for a Biblical view of marriage, marriage between a man and a woman, I’m called political. If I advocate for a Biblical view of human sexuality, if I dare to suggest that God created us male and female, and if I reject the narrative that seeks to reject the LGBTQ+, I’m called political. If I believe that parental authority is more important than the opinion of the teachers union, I’m called political.
If I object to pornographic books in the libraries of our schools and call for their removal, I’m called political. If I advocate for the Jewish people and the nation of Israel, and I repudiate terrorism and anti-Semitism, again, I’m called political. When I say that illegal immigration is a bad thing and should be stopped immediately for the safety of families, children, and our homes, I’m called political. When I say that the government should not censor our speech, close our buildings, or limit our opportunity to declare Jesus is Lord of all creation, I’m called political.
In contrast to that set of statements – the same platform inside a church:
If someone declares that they are pro-choice and they support unlimited access to abortion, they’re called advocates for freedom. If someone believes marriage may include any combination of persons, animals, or things, they’re celebrated as progressive thinkers. If someone believes a Biblical worldview of human sexuality is wrong, that it’s too narrow, it’s out of date, it’s bigoted or maybe it’s just plain unacceptable, they’re welcomed as modernists. If someone believes teachers’ unions and government authority are the preferred voice in selecting content for our children’s classrooms, they’re considered enlightened.
When someone places pornographic books in the libraries of our schools, they’re labeled as champions of diversity. When someone demonstrates in support of Hamas Terrorists demanding that Israel and Jewish people be restrained, they’re social justice advocates. When the label misinformation is evoked and speech is censored or vaccines are mandated for employment, churches are closed as casinos are opened, and the perpetrators are deemed as warriors for the public interest. (from Pastor Allen Jackson)
We have to speak to culture. It’s our call and mandate to be the answer to the Lord’s Prayer: “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” This is bringing Heaven to earth. We need to go back to our original documents. There are many in addition to the Declaration of Independence: The Pilgrims/Colonists drafted The Mayflower Compact as the first basic constitution for governing their colony. Led by the Reverend John Robinson, forty-one men signed the Compact while still aboard the Mayflower in Provincetown Harbor, Mass.
The preamble of the Mayflower Compact emphasizes religious themes and political loyalties which are reflected in later charters and state constitutions. The Compact reads in part, “In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, etc. Having undertaken for the Glory of God and advancement of the Christian Faith, and Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the First Colony in the Northern Parts of Virginia; do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and one another, Covenant and Combine ourselves together into a Civil Body Politic.”
In 1892, the Supreme Court of the United States declared, “This is a Christian nation.” The New England Confederation stated that the purpose of the colonies was “to advance the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ and to enjoy the liberties of the gospel in purity with peace.” Harvard College required that each student believe that “the main end of his life and studies is to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life.”
John Adams wrote, “The Christian religion is… the Religion of Wisdom, Virtue, Equity, and humanity.” Engraved on the metal cap on the top of the Washington Monument are the words “Praise be to God.” During the War for Independence, Congress resolved to import twenty-thousand volumes of the Bible because “the use of the Bible is so universal, and its importance so great.” “For every step you take away from the cross, there will be a crowd of people cheering you every step of the way.” – Dr Rice Broocks
Why is it Important to Address Current Cultural Issues?
First, this is way Beyond the Red and Blue. It’s not about politics, this is bigger. However, we have to address the current political environment/ethos in order to deconstruct the Spirit of age in which we are living. We speak Truth to Atmospheres. Even the word “Grace” doesn’t mean a license to sin. It literally means God’s power, strength, ability, authority, favor – to do what we can’t in and of ourselves do. It’s not a license to do nothing.
Ephesians 6:10-12 NIV84
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
Jesus addressed the culture and spoke Truth to Power, so did the Prophets of old, so did the Apostles. We, too, must address what is happening now and discern this world through the lens of a Biblical Worldview. We speak Truth to Power. The Bible becomes the lens through which we see everything.
Matthew 12:33-37 NKJV – Jesus Speaks Truth to Religious Leaders
“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
John 19:8-11 NIV – Jesus Speaks Truth to Pilate
“When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace. ‘Where do you come from?’ he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. ‘Do you refuse to speak to me?’ Pilate said. ‘Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?’ Jesus answered, ‘You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.’ ”
Acts 24:24,25 NIV84
“Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, ‘That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.’ ”
We have a responsibility and a mandate to execute strategies to fulfill the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations. We speak Truth to Culture. We go into our closets to pray, we come out in the power of the Spirit to engage and to act. The filling of the Holy Spirit wasn’t just so we could feel better about ourselves. The empowerment from the baptism of fire was given for them as a witness to others, here at home, out there, and to the world.
It was to empower us for others, not for an altar party for us, but for us to tell our co-workers about Jesus. Where we can’t help but say something even to disagree with the talk around the water cooler about what’s going on in culture and about the truth.
Luke 19:41-44 NIV
“As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, ‘If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.’ ”
Is God saying to America, “You had your chance.”? We are the answer to Jesus’ model prayer. He’s saying that to us. This is our wake-up call… are we awake or are we awoke?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, would You take these “arrows” and put them exactly where they need to go? Our hearts – minds – spirits. Father, would You grant grace to mobilize us to the people. To say Enough is enough. We’re here to begin speaking Truth to power. Truth to atmospheres and Truth to culture that we will no longer be silent. We’ll pull our heads out of the sand and say, If it’s to be, it begins with me.
So, God, what do You want to do with me and through me? Jesus, we know that we are the answer to the prayer You told us to pray. Now, God, work in our hearts. Move us. Mobilize us. Show us our part in this. Show us what to do. Help us to see. Wake us up. Fill us afresh with Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on The Bridge
Featured Image by Bruce Emmerling from Pixabay
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