A really great question. First of all, what is it that makes up a “Christian”, and second of all, what makes up an “Anti-Christian World”?
Whatever it is that being a “Christian” means to you and what it means to me could be miles apart. So again, what is the standard? Well, the Bible is the standard, since only the Bible claims to be the inspired word of God.
What makes up an “Anti-Christian World”, a Godless world? Again, each of us have so many experiences dealing with our place in the world, but when the rubber meets the road, we still need to go to the Bible. What does the Bible say about the world?
Ephesians 6:12 says that, “We (as Christians) don’t wrestle against principalities (i.e. territories, kingdoms or countries), or against powers (those in power over us), against the rulers of the darkness of this world (name your poison), against spiritual wickedness in high places (those who govern us in unabashed evil, as well as the devil’s agents who prey upon us), but we LIVE a life pleasing to God. We, as Christians, should be living such a life in this world as to make our transition into heaven almost seamless. Who of us can claim such a life? I, for one, certainly cannot. If we’re honest with each other, like sheep, so many of us have gone astray; we’ve turned from Christ (our Shepherd) to do what we want, and like sheep, so many are led to the slaughter, and like sheep, they are silent. Silent all the way to hell.
So, what do we do? Well, we STAND UP TO BE COUNTED! First of all, stop thinking of yourself as a member of this world – which is passing away right before your eyes. As a Christian, you are a key member of Christ’s Church. He is the head of the Church, and each one of you and I are members of His body.
I have a body. I’m pretty particular about it too. I brush my teeth and shave my face each morning. I wash my body every day. I dress it in clean clothes and feed it good food. I don’t poison it with drugs or other dangerous substances. I take care about what I permit my eyes to view, avoiding certain TV shows, movies, internet sites, magazines, etc. As Christians, our bodies are a testament to His work in us. Do we easily “fit in” with the world, or do we somehow, stand apart – sometimes with ridicule. As Christians, our bodies are to be a living sacrifice, since His Holy Spirit has made our bodies His temple – His dwelling place. Are we going to cause him to groan and writhe in anguish because we still desire to live in sin? How can we do this to Him, who loves us so much and has given so much of Himself and is still willing to give so much more?
It’s a real struggle isn’t it? How do we, as Christians, live in an anti-Christian world? It’s only going to become more anti-Christian – you can count on it. This America, historically founded on Biblical principles, is becoming more and more antagonistic to Christians – not Muslims or the lesbian/gay/transgender community, but just Christians. Why is that? Have you thought about it? Have you been reading your Bible for insight? Have you been praying for answers? If we don’t take advantage of the graces that God has given us (His Word, the Church, prayer, etc.) then how can you and I make a difference (a positive difference) in this “anti-Christian world”?
Remember as kids, when our parents gave us boundaries? For instance, “do not touch the stove when I’m cooking”, yet each one of us ignored our parents and touched the stove, only to cry out in pain from the burn.
The world does everything it can to remove all such boundaries. The world says, “you can have it all, with no responsibility, and with no repercussions, because you deserve to be happy”. It’s ironic that those who are the ‘worldliest” are the unhappiest people that I have ever met.
I could go on, but I need to keep these blogs crisp and meaningful. The point is, if you are a Christian, you need to set yourself apart from the world, or the world will suck you in, and you may not even be aware of it until you get “burned”.
Consider the recent terrorist acts in the world – ever notice how the murderer takes as many lives as he can before he kills himself? The devil is like this. He knows that he is doomed to the deepest, darkest, most agonizing pit in hell, but he ain’t going down alone. He’s going to do whatever he can to take you and me along with him. So, start acting like a Christian, and count yourself as an heir to the Kingdom of Heaven, and behave in such a way. Life is not all about you and me; it’s also about the lives of those we touch. Think about them and their eternal destiny too.
Keeping it real,
Brett