Its Time for a Solution

For decades now, the typical dinner table discussion of Christians has been the downward spiral of American society.  Television is becoming less moral.  Youth are less moral.  Government is less moral.  Sex outside of marriage.  Etc, etc...  You know exactly what I mean, there's no need for me to go into detail.  As Christians we have abundantly acknowledged the problem.  We have talked about the problem and complained about the problem long enough.  Its time for us to move on.

If all we ever do is talk about the problem, nothing good will come of it.  We know there's a problem; its not like its some new revelation.  I have heard it many many times from numerous Christians, how much America is becoming more and more immoral.  But if that's all a Christian has to talk about, that person is much of the problem itself.  The problem is focusing on the problem.  The problem is talking about the problem without suggesting ideas to fix it, or moving along with strategies to confront it.  The problem is talking about how dark its becoming in America without reaching for a light switch.  I'm here to say this: its time to reach for a light switch.  Its time to confront the problems with solutions.  Its time to focus on the solutions.  Its time to get real about changing our world for the better.  Be salt and light.

Only losers talk about losing.  You ever think about that?  Only a Christian who has no faith in Christ would talk about all the world's problems as if there is no solution.  Did Christ say anything about dwelling on the sinfulness of the world?  Did He ever suggest we could not overcome the world and its sin, as if we must accept the moral decay of society?  He did not.  And I'm telling you, we do not have to accept it, nor should we.  Everywhere Christ talks about the kingdom of God, the kingdom is growing or advancing.  Did you notice that?  The yeast is worked throughout all the dough.  The net catches many fish.  The mustard seed becomes a large tree.   Try to find one place in the Bible that the kingdom of God is trying to maintain its borders.  In every place the kingdom advances its borders growing larger and stronger.  The message of the fact is this: Don't be conservative.  We are not trying to conserve what is; we are trying to gain what is not yet.  We are not maintenance men; we are soldiers for Christ.  Soldiers fight and conquer new lands.

So what can we do?  I pray to offer a number of ideas and areas in which Christians can affect their world, bring more to Christ, and conquer the powers of this world (ie. Satan/demons).

Be vocal
One way we are salt and light is to simply talk about the truth.  Its amazing how powerful the truth is when someone speaks the truth.  Often people know something is true just when its said and need no proof.  But if they want an argument, we should be ready to give an argument where appropriate.  We may waste our energy and time sometimes.  But other times an argument may prove effective, if not for the person we're arguing with, maybe for someone listening in.  For that reason, we should be ready.  We should sharpen our knowledge of relevant facts.  Have arguments prepared ahead of time.  As Peter said, always be prepared to give an answer (1Peter 3:15).

Be on the offensive
Do not just respond to the attacks of secularists, atheists or heretics.  Put them on the defensive.  Look for opportunities to add to the kingdom of God.  Look for any way we can advance Christianity.  There are many forceful arguments for including the Bible in public education.  It is, afterall, fundamental in the formation of this nation, relevant to the learning of history, greatly beneficial for discipline and wisdom.  This is just one example; I'm sure you can think of more.  And if you want more information, or to get involved, there is actually an organization called "Bible in the Schools".

Look to adopt
Suppose you're married.  Suppose you're looking to have children.  Roughly half of the children born in this nation are born out of wedlock.  I would imagine that a number of them may be put up for adoption, if the mother would find a couple she likes.  Why not be that couple?  Y'know, if you're in that position.  Each person in the Church of Christ has a unique position.  We cannot each do all of these things of course.  But there may be some married couples out there that would make great adoptive parents.  And for the kingdom of God, why not?  Why not add another one into the kingdom by way of adoption?  We are, afterall, all of us adopted by the Father in heaven.  If not for adoption, none of us would be saved.

Give your elected representatives an earful
Politicians do what they think the public wants them to do.  Sometimes they pay attention to polling.  Oftentimes they simply go by what they hear the most.  So it pays to be vocal regarding the politicians.  Tell them you expect a religious dialogue in public affairs.  Of all the things we could talk about regarding the management of a nation, what is more important than God?  Benjamin Franklin exhorted the Constitutional Convention to pray every morning before their proceedings.  Should we not do the same?

Call sin sin
I think one of the biggest problems -inside- the church is the weakness of its members in dealing with sinfulness.  Its a biblical fact, God hates evil -and- evildoers.  There's good reason the Bible repeatedly says "fear God".  Its not merely about reverence for the Creator.  Its because sinners are the enemies of God.  Unless we make peace with God, we're doomed.  And we need to make that message clear.  Enough of this wishy-washy nonsense.  Speak what is true; speak what is biblical.  Yes, God welcomes all people and offers forgiveness for sins by the blood of His Son.  Yes, there is grace.  But only at the cross.  Any rejection of Christ is met with wrath.  Are we going to do nothing while people go down the road to hell in masses?  Are the softly worded platitudes enough?

Surprise people with goodness
In an immoral world, nobody is going to expect the Good Samaritan.  What exactly is the Good Samaritan?  Its someone who helps, even when its sacrificial.  When we proclaim the name of Christ, so much more force is added to our words if we do the things Christ commanded.  If we give to eachother generously.  If we care for eachother.  Cry when another Christian cries.  Rejoice when another Christian rejoices.  This sort of thing is unheard of in a world where everyone is "looking out for number one".  It gets people's attention.

Get involved in the media
This is a good one for our artistic brothers and sisters.  If any Christian has a knack for art, consider getting into television, movies, music, etc.  By "getting into" I do not mean conforming to the culture of Hollywood.  I mean transforming the culture of Hollywood.  We complain about how immoral Hollywood is.  If we want Hollywood, or any of the other media, to be moral, we're going to have to send some of our moral people to it.  Not to be affected by Hollywood, but to affect Hollywood.  To make good movies that are also clean fun.  To make television that brings glory to God.  To make music with the sweet sound of holiness.  You get what I mean.  

Take legal action
Of course this isn't for all Christians.  But whatever Christians are already lawyers, or may plan to study law, I think we should form Christian legal organizations that fight for Christian causes in the courts.  For so long secularists and atheists have used the courts to remove Christianity from the public life of our nation.  In some cases they infringe upon freedom of religion and human rights.  In every case they de-stablize our nation.  Can you imagine a society in which marriage is not clearly defined, where a man can marry a man, marry ten men, or marry a dog?  That shows you how the religious belief of a nation cannot be separated from the social orders of a nation.  The whole concept of "separation of church and state" actually has no place in the Constitution.  And beyond that, secularists see no limit to it; and they try to apply it to anything public.  The Church of Christ needs to go out into the public, make the public aware of Scripture, make every advance possible, for the one reason that no immoral society can function, and for the other reason of advancing God's kingdom.  Wherever there are Christian lawyers, I pray they use their position to bring Christianity into public places.  

These are just some ideas.  There's way more than this.  Point is, just look for ways to affect the world around you for the sake of Christ.  Not just private affairs, but public affairs too.  How can God be present in the private homes of Christians and absent from the public arena of a nation built on Christian principles?  It makes no sense; and the idea that homosexuals should bring their "gay pride" out of the closet while Christians should keep their Christianity in a closet...  well, that's beyond absurd.  If any Christian would keep quiet about Christ, or think that Christ doesn't belong in a certain part of our lives, shame on that person.  For every Christian big and small, look for the opportunities to do something to be salt and light of the world.