Many conservatives thrive on conflict and being attacked in the culture war. They get excited that protesters may come knocking on their homes or churches, and they can be ready with their guns. I don’t refute the culture war is heating up, or the prudence of being ready with guns (I side with the McCloskeys in MO). But I’m concerned at the excitement over being even potentially targeted, much less actually, mildly, harassed as some in my circles are now being. This excitement is often self-righteousness that mirrors and reacts to the left’s own self-righteousness. Or more benignly, maybe it’s a misguided “I get to fight for Jesus,” overly done, “Christian masculinity.”
We need to take Jesus’ words to heart with all humility, and without a hint of a persecution complex:
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5)
We face all kinds of new spiritual temptations when we are (or perceive ourselves to be) newly the minority in a largely secular culture. Instead of being in the majority tempted by presumption, apathy or inertia, we are now tempted to see ourselves as martyrs well before we've actually testified of our Lord at all. We also may be prone to a bunker mentality, and closing ourselves off from people who need to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Time to re-orient, and let the Word of God Himself speak to our political moment, before other voices.
No comments:
Post a Comment