Even in these days of political polarization, media driven false narratives on every side, pro-Hamas protesters desecrating monuments and burning the US flag in our nation’s capital – the recent Olympic opening ceremony flaunting drag queens mocking the Last Supper seems beyond the Pale. But it shouldn’t surprise us. And it sends a clear message to those of us who call ourselves Christians.
It tells us that the spiritual war that’s been underway since the Garden of Eden and before is nearing a crescendo. We feel the intensity building; see it in headlines, in our families, schools and on our streets. The days of Christian fence-sitting are over.
For too long too many of us who call ourselves Christians, me included, have sat comfortably on the sideline, listening to, and agreeing with Sunday sermons that reach no further than our ears. You and I both know people calling themselves Christians with Bibles in their homes who have found little time to become familiar with its contents. And, for too long many of our prayers have been little more than lip service, mouthed to make us feel better, lacking humility, repentance, and true worship.
The message? It is Joshua’s message:
“Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that our fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:14-15
The lines have long been drawn in this war between good and evil. Will you and I continue to choose to serve the gods of apathy, comfort, complacency, and ignorance? Or will we choose to double-down in prayer and know that we know who we serve?
The familiar 2 Chronicles 7:14 passage that we’re so fond of pointing to, reciting, and posting on social media, “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” must become more than something we wish everyone else would do. We must embrace it individually. Deeply. Daily. In other words, it’s time to pick a side. There is no middle of the road.
In practical terms?
It means placing all trust in Jesus. Nothing else. No one else. Not in a job or position, not in income or possessions, not in a political party or candidate. Not in ourselves. It means praying for and acting with discernment.
It means getting in the Word, getting on our knees, and truly meeting with, listening to, and following Jesus Christ. It means prioritizing Jesus because we live for Jesus. It means obedience; praying for our enemies, for those who believe differently than us, vote and act differently than us.
It means possessing and sharing the love of Christ; making sure others see Him in us – no matter what-In traffic, in our neighborhoods, on social media, at family gatherings and community events.
It means making the Great Commission our own mission, sharing the truth in love. Those drag queens? We know Jesus loves them just as much as he loves you and me. Have you prayed for them yet? Excuse me… I have something I need to tend to.