There is an irrational antagonism towards Christianity in this country. I call it irrational because it is a hostility that is so unreasonable in its assault. It could be said that it is in proportion to the influence evangelical Christians are starting to make, which of course is actually very encouraging.
A few weeks ago my team and I were ministering in a location not far from my local church in a vibrant part of the community outside a tube station (subway). A young girl came past and blasted us for forcing our beliefs and religion on people. I responded by saying that there is freedom of speech in this country to share one's beliefs. She responded by saying, "Yeah, but it seems to be only Christians who are doing it." Now this may simply be her perception of things, clearly many Muslims are quite active in their attempts to advance Islam in the UK. But her comments are encouraging nonetheless.
We know from Scripture that the people of this world hate the light and love the darkness (John 3:19-20). Jesus said to His disciples, "The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil” (John 7:7). So the antagonism is actually consistent with the Bible. However, the intensity of the antagonism towards Christianity in this country is a result, I believe, of a lack of godly influence to the people at large. All people all over the world who do not know God hate God. That is a universal reality. However, when godliness is all but removed from society that which is left in its wake is a raging evil embraced by a people who love evil.
The power of Christianity is such that, apart from drawing people into a living relationship with their Creator, it also has the power to transform society through its well rooted ethical values. For example, children today brought up in a humanistic culture are displaying the fruit of their education, namely that they are worryingly lacking in terms of morals and ethical principles. Society is becoming increasingly decadent because of humanism.
Now, not only do we see this to have occurred in our country, we have also seen ideologies and philosophical views brought in that enable people to justify both their beliefs and the lustful desires of their flesh. What do I mean by this? Well, the very concept that there is a God who exists and made this world is to many a work of fiction that is not only foolish but also offensive in what it advocates. It is foolish because in the minds of the populace it has been proven that there is no God. And it is offensive to many because it is seen as a religion that is mutually exclusive and intolerant.
Both of these factors - the removal of godliness and the influx of ideologies and philosophical views - have so run their course in this country so as to all but remove the hard work done in years gone by to lay a sure and godly foundation. The charge to the church in Britain is therefore clear. Make a stand against those views which attack the truth and preach once more holiness and godliness in a most fervent and ardent manner.
A few weeks ago my team and I were ministering in a location not far from my local church in a vibrant part of the community outside a tube station (subway). A young girl came past and blasted us for forcing our beliefs and religion on people. I responded by saying that there is freedom of speech in this country to share one's beliefs. She responded by saying, "Yeah, but it seems to be only Christians who are doing it." Now this may simply be her perception of things, clearly many Muslims are quite active in their attempts to advance Islam in the UK. But her comments are encouraging nonetheless.
We know from Scripture that the people of this world hate the light and love the darkness (John 3:19-20). Jesus said to His disciples, "The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil” (John 7:7). So the antagonism is actually consistent with the Bible. However, the intensity of the antagonism towards Christianity in this country is a result, I believe, of a lack of godly influence to the people at large. All people all over the world who do not know God hate God. That is a universal reality. However, when godliness is all but removed from society that which is left in its wake is a raging evil embraced by a people who love evil.
The power of Christianity is such that, apart from drawing people into a living relationship with their Creator, it also has the power to transform society through its well rooted ethical values. For example, children today brought up in a humanistic culture are displaying the fruit of their education, namely that they are worryingly lacking in terms of morals and ethical principles. Society is becoming increasingly decadent because of humanism.
Now, not only do we see this to have occurred in our country, we have also seen ideologies and philosophical views brought in that enable people to justify both their beliefs and the lustful desires of their flesh. What do I mean by this? Well, the very concept that there is a God who exists and made this world is to many a work of fiction that is not only foolish but also offensive in what it advocates. It is foolish because in the minds of the populace it has been proven that there is no God. And it is offensive to many because it is seen as a religion that is mutually exclusive and intolerant.
Both of these factors - the removal of godliness and the influx of ideologies and philosophical views - have so run their course in this country so as to all but remove the hard work done in years gone by to lay a sure and godly foundation. The charge to the church in Britain is therefore clear. Make a stand against those views which attack the truth and preach once more holiness and godliness in a most fervent and ardent manner.
2 comments:
Excellent post Rob! I completely agree! Also another thing we need to be is salt and light, to be examples to the generation of our time. They have few role models and so we need to be those models for them not just preach it. I have started seeing the fruit of this on my estate with the younger genertaion where not only do we preach and stand for the truth but we live it also. Only the other day two young boys asked me for a bible and another brought theirs round to show me, lol! I have also, praise God, seen conviction in neighbours that wasn't there before regarding watching what they say. That influence has even begun to spread!!!
Many churches have become islands, withdrawn from society and therefore lost their saltiness and extingiused their light. How can we live the truth when we become recluses? It is encouraging that there are many more now hitting the streets preaching the truth and i pray more will fulfill the great comission but that commission also states that we are to make disciples, so may God raise godly leaders in this nation to nuture those infants in the faith.
Rob, great post!
Thanks Geraldine. Awesome to hear about the youngsters on your estate, that's great news!! I echo your prayer, may the Lord cause sound biblical doctrine to be proclaimed from His pulpits and taught in His church.
Post a Comment