Culture Wars

 11-12Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they’ll be won over to God’s side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives. 1 Peter 2:11-12 The Message

There is one area of life in which spiritual warfare language already prevails. The  Culture War assumes that  political conflict is based on sets of conflicting cultural values. The two sides are sometimes defined differently: left/right, conservative/liberal, christian/world. This “war” heats up in 4 year cycles. As the Presidential election approaches, the differences between the opposing sides come into focus. Language, and sometimes actions, becomes more strident. The combatants do little to convert “enemies” to their side and, in each election, the “independents” decide the winner. 

It is disturbing how “into it” Christians become. We tend to get caught up in the rhetoric and we often become offensive and, sometimes, nasty.  We lose perspective. Although this struggle is important, we need to keep it in perspective. 

Consider this:

Our salvation is not in politics. Both sides are led by “politicians” whose principal interest is self. On both sides, the leadership is equally flawed and generally unworthy of adulation. 

The war is already won. We don’t read the book enough and tend to forget that, in the end, Jesus wins.

Jesus was not a Republican. He wasn’t a Democrat either. He didn’t teach self-reliance. In fact, He taught we can do nothing on our own and even our best actions are as filthy rags. Scripture teaches that those who don’t work, don’t eat; but it also teaches loving care for orphans and widows. The gospel is about life-changing faith, but is also about living such a loving life that others are attracted.

We need to remember Peter’s words. This world is not our home. Our actions speak louder than our words. We fight abortion best by loving those who face it and caring for it’s victims. We grow the church by living right and not talking loud. 

The war is already won. The goal is not to trample the defeated but to lead them to victory.

Recognize that the real enemy is spiritual and

Be blessed.

Nick

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