Responding to Social Sin
Yesterday I received an email from an EBC member informing me of something taking place at the Vancouver Community Library. The event is entitled “Drag Queen Story Time” and it is for “babies and toddlers, preschoolers, kids, families.” In checking, I found out that it is in fact a story time led by a man acting and looking like a woman in a very over the top way. It is intended to celebrate diversity and promote inclusiveness.
What do you feel after reading something like this? Anger? Sadness? More importantly, what is your response to social issues like this and what should be your response?
If I’m being forthright, much of the time, I find that I want to respond in one of two very opposite and unbiblical ways. The first way is by responding in anger. I strategize ways that I can angrily put offenders in their place by bashing them over the head with the truth. In regards to the example above, I could have called the library and left a scathing message of rebuke, etc.
The second way I often want to respond is with apathy. I feel defeated and that our country is, as they say, “going to hell in a handbasket.” Thus, I think that it is pointless to do anything and that I shouldn’t waste my time. Plus I figure I need to focus on making more and better disciples rather than trying to hold others to biblical truths that they don’t believe.
I think you can probably relate with both of these very opposite responses. But do you understand why they are dangerous? In regards to responding in anger, it “does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” James 1:20. If we respond with truth but have not love, we are only a “resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” 1 Cor 13:1. In other words, we are annoying and obnoxious and this typically only serves to further harden people’s hearts towards the truth. We must not respond angrily, remembering that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood…” Ephesians 6:12.
On the flip side, if we respond in apathy, we are placating our positions as salt and light in our community. God told Israel while in captivity, “Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Jeremiah 29:7. While we are not exiled Israel, our situation and calling is very similar. The Apostle Peter writes, “Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” We cannot sit idly by and let our friends, neighbors, and community go to hell in a hand-basket. We need to slow its downward trajectory by lovingly speaking and working to implement God’s truth. And we need to speak the most important truth, the truth of salvation in Jesus Christ, in order to get as many people out of that horrific handbasket as possible.
So dear saints, let your light shine in 2019. Let your loving voices be heard. Be strategic and creative about how you are going to “live such good lives among the pagans.” Do it because you love Jesus and you love people. And remember that the King of the Universe has chosen YOU to be an ambassador on His behalf (2 Cor. 5:20). What an honor!
If you desire to read how I personally responded to the issue above and/or would like the contact information for the Vancouver Community Library, please click here.
Pastor Matt
Categories: Evergreen Connection