There’s Something Happening Here

To deny that our faith should bring influence in the political sphere of society is as naïve as believing our faith should not influence all areas of culture.

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An iconic rock song by the Buffalo Springfield told us back in the ’60s, “There’s something happening here, but what it is ain’t exactly clear.” In the last year, a shift has taken place in our nation and it is becoming clearer by the day that something not right is taking place. The lyrics of the song went on to say “I think it’s time we stop, children, what’s that sound? Everybody look – what’s going down?” Something is going down. To not stand and speak the truth in love in the midst of what’s going down will be looked back upon in history as a violation of the integrity of our character.

When we read the New Testament, we find the Church was birthed into cultures where a Godly influence was not present. We read about believers doing their best to live under oppression. What would it be like if those same believers were deposited 2,000 years into the future and were living today in the United States? I believe they would respond with the same core character, but their application of that character would be different than when they lived under established oppression. Much of our understanding and the working out of our faith is drawn from how the first century Church lived under oppression that was already in place. Do you think they would respond that way if they had a choice before the oppression was able to take control?

At this point, the developing content of what I am writing may cause some who believe the Church should stay out of the political arena to feel triggered. Those same believers who might march for a violated civil right are unable to see that the efforts of that march must end up in our courts or be handed to a political figure to ensure a righteous change of direction takes place. That is the essence of Godly influence. To deny that our faith should bring influence in the political sphere of society is as naïve as believing our faith should not influence all areas of culture. A nation cannot flourish without the influence of believers who seek the highest good for their fellow citizens.

The Kingdom of God expressed through the Church in culture was never designed to be an isolated devotional faith gathering only on Sunday mornings to sing beautiful songs and listen to a message. Neither was it God’s design to have us step out of a sacred Sunday bubble to return to real life on Monday morning and allow and in some cases, agree with evil social policies by acquiescence or cast a misguided vote that allowed oppression to gain a head of steam, a vote that has now become a regret for some.

It is time we stop and evaluate the sounds of our culture. An unrighteous shift is taking place that will lead to an ungodly reset if it is not brought to light. Like the Buffalo Springfield song prophetically asked, “Everybody look – what’s going down?”  The answer to that question will affect the lives of those who follow in our steps of faith.

 

This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Garris Elkins

Featured Image by David Mark from Pixabay

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About the Author

Garris Elkins is a Kingdom Winds Contributor. He and his wife, Jan, serve the global Church through writing, speaking, and mentoring. They live in southern Oregon, tucked away in the foothills of the Rogue Valley. Their shared desire is to have each person learn how to hear the heart of God and become a transforming voice in their culture.