Confusion of Confusion

Thoughts On the Responses of Christians Today

It is a confusing thing, this confusion of Christians. Not to say that Christians are never confused, but rather, I see an unjustified confusion that they have with the world. They see the world described in Scripture, as God Himself describes it, and yet they are still in shock when what He said actually comes true. Christians today seem to think it strange that persecution come upon any Christian, much less an American Christian. Though they respond to persecution with "Well, the world hates Christ so they hate us," and yet they still remain in terror of their supposed "rights" being taken away from them. They see a need for action and response to those attacking them, evidently thinking that we are, in fact, called to action here on earth apart from the Scripture's commands. 

What I mean is this: when Christians see their American freedoms taken away, they seem to be so utterly shocked by these events, seeing it as the worst thing that could ever happen, and something they should all despise and fear, wondering if the America we see now will ever return to its once glorious status in the world. They think it strange that people would bring this country to its knees, and that this country is not, in fact, eternal. And yet perhaps even stranger, they seem to believe that when Christ comes, He will restore these "freedoms" to us, as though we will have a free society without any ruler or manager. 

The strangest things have happened in this country, not in government action, but in Christian response. They post countless news articles and tell the stories to their friends and families about the horror and evil of the government, and how the America we know will never be the same. And they are right- do not misunderstand me. This country is being broken indeed, and is being torn down, as it has been since the beginning of this country. Liberal agenda has grown in leaps and bounds over the years, and is the tool being used to bring this nation down. But my confusion does not lie in these events, but in the shock that Christians have over such events. 

Do we not expect such things? My question is not "How could these people do this?" but rather "Why has it not been done sooner?" Human nature is, in and of itself, self-destructive. And when you have a nation "of the people, by the people, for the people" the key ingredient to destruction is so clearly obvious... people. God never promised an earthly nation that would be everlasting, but a nation God Himself forms and keeps. America will fall, be it by liberals, or by the hand of God, as there is no truly righteous nation, in and of its own nature. A nation is what it is based upon its people, both those served and serving, and we also know that the way is very narrow that leads to salvation (there are not millions of Christians in the world at any given moment), and the way is broad that leads to destruction (millions and billions of people are, in fact, unsaved). We also know that any righteousness in the world is quickly squandered by people, and that whatever freedoms we think we might have are quickly taken away. And being Christians, these freedoms are not even truly freedom. Freedom of religion does not then conclude in all the world believing in Christ. On the contrary, though it allows us to believe what we believe without (as much) persecution, it also allows other false religions to flourish. No human institute can ever allow the Truth to truly be the faith of all, as all will never have this faith in this tainted and sinful earth. And yet the Christian church believes it can, in fact, bring millions of people to the faith at a single moment in time, if only they could try hard enough. But the largest error here is seen in the very pursuit itself, that being numbers. We are not called to bring people to Christ, but the share the Gospel- to "proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ." (Col. 1:28, NASB) Paul was not saying that his goal was to save "every man," but to warn every man about the judgement, to teach every man who believes, and thus present every man before Christ, of those who believe (for if we believe that we can, in fact, save "every man" we are hopeless in our pursuit, for not even Christ brought every man to Himself during His earthly ministry). 

We are not called to convince people primarily of the Truth, but to give the Truth clearly and freely, whether or not people accept it. The blood of those who reject the Gospel is on their own heads, because they heard, but did not believe. 

And so, in light of this, why is it that so many Christians are so distracted with the cares of this life? "No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier." (2 Tim. 2:4) We are not "of this world," but are citizens of the Kingdom of God. We are enlisted into active service for our Lord in this world, being focused on His will, not the will of man. When the freedoms we did not deserve in the first place are taken away, why be in such fear and dismay? If a man steals your coat, do you hunt him down and get it back? When the liberal government takes away your healthcare, your money, your food, your cars, your internet, and your rights as a whole, what is the response of the Lord? "But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." - Luke 6:27-36